TechAtlas: http://webjunction.techatlas.org
We can always use another deadline, right? Did you know libraries filing for E-rate (either with Eddie at eRate Solutions or through Kan-ed) need to have a DRAFT Technology Plan written by February 12? Now, remember, that’s a DRAFT. Some plan dates (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012), maybe a mission statement, a few goals and objectives, and an idea or two about how to tell when you have reached those goals – that’s enough for a draft!
Most of you know about this deadline, but it never hurts to have a reminder…and some help! So, Duane Williams, the writer of the Atchison Public Library’s recently-approved Tech Plan and Brenda Hough, technology trainer-at-large, will provide TechAtlas and Technology Planning assistance on April 8 from 9 am to Noon at NEKLS. Come with your TechAtlas account and your Library Technology dreams. (If you don’t know your TechAtlas account login information, contact your friendly NEKLS Tech team — we’ll be glad to help you find it again!)
Technology planning is not just an important part of the strategic planning process, but it can help during budget season when you need to know how many computers will need to be replaced or what new equipment you want to purchase. In case you are not sure where to start or what to include in your plan, the NEKLS Tech Team did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas that you may want to consider:
- Increase your bandwidth by joining the new Kan-ed 2.0 Network
- Maintain your Web site on a regular basis! You are invited to join My Kansas Library on the Web, if you haven’t already.
- Purchase a projector, screen and speakers to show movies during Summer Reading or for a book/film discussion series
- Offer computer classes – always popular and help is available through WebJunction Kansas for beginning Technology trainers
- Investigate and contract for an off-site data back up service
- Follow Basehor Community Library and Silver Lake’s examples and put Macs in your library
- Purchase laptops for check out or use in the library as a way to provide additional patron computers
- Buy a Flip Cam for whatever creative use you can think of – teach patrons how to use it, record stories from your community members, or let teens record book talks
- Offer access to a Web camera so folks with family overseas can stay in touch
- Set aside staff time each month for WebJunction computer classes on everything from ‘dealing with angry patrons’ to ‘Getting started with Word 2007′
- Investigate the feasibility of switching your library computers to OpenOffice (we can set it to save files as Microsoft Office)
- Investigate patron computer reservation systems
For information (very informal) on TechAtlas, check out the link to a recent Webinar at the NEKLS Tech Blog (http://blog.nekls.org/). If you would like sample Technology plans, contact me at smoreland at nekls.org. Other resources on E-rate and Technology Planning are available through the State Library of Kansas at http://www.kslib.info/erate/index.html. The Universal Service Administrative Company has posted answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Technology Planning, that you may want to review, as well.
Ready, Set, Plan!
