South Kingstown Public Library Technology Plan

July 1, 2011--June 30, 2014

 

Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of the South Kingstown Public Library technology plan is to provide the public and staff with an understanding of how the library will continue to integrate technology and electronic information resources with traditional print and non-print resources.

 

Vision Statement

The South Kingstown Public Library provides free, convenient and equal access to print and non-print materials, services and technologies that support our community’s informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs. The Library will strive to continue to provide the latest technology, to use it effectively, and to provide an array of options to help users of all ages meet their needs. Special emphasis will be placed on developing a collection of electronic information resources at levels appropriate to the user, training staff to assist users at their point of need, and using technology to provide cost-effective strategies for administrative purposes, as well as managing a wide range of staff duties, thereby freeing up staff for more direct work with the public.

 

Technology Assessment

 

A. Hardware Available:

 

PCs

• Public use (SKH – 2; SKK – 4; SKI – 25)

• Circulation Services (SKH – 2; SKK – 2; SKI – 3)

• Main information/reference desk for staff use (SKI – 1)

• Juvenile reference desk for staff use (SKI – 1; SKH – 1)

• Technical services and administration (SKI – 5; SKH-1; SKK-1)

• Staff (SKH – 1; SKK – 2; SKI –7)

 

Telecommunications Hardware

• 4 Dedicated T1 connections to RInet

• Cisco 2600 router (SKH – 1; SKK – 1; SKI – 1)

• 48 port Ethernet switch (SKI – 2)

• 24 port Ethernet switch (SKH –1, SKK-1) Internal Cabling

• All three buildings are fully wired with Category 6 twisted pair.

 

Wireless

• Available for the public and staff in all three buildings.

 

Ribbon Printers

• Receipt for circulation services (SKK – 2; SKI – 4)

• Cataloging (labels) for technical services (SKI – 2)

 

Laser Printers

• Public use (SKH – 1; SKK – 1)

• Local Area Network (SKI – 4; SKH – 2; SKK - 2)

• Reference (SKK-1; SKI – 2)

• Staff (SKI-3)

• Administration (SKI – 2)

 

Laser Barcode Scanners

• Circulation services (SKH – 2; SKK – 2; SKI – 3)

• Technical Services (SKI – 2; SKK -1; SKH - 1)

• Adult Reference (SKI – 1)

• Staff (SKI -1)

 

Peripheral Equipment

• Power surge protectors for all hardware (SKH, SKK, and SKI)

 

Other Equipment

• Panasonic digital voice telephone system with 18 extensions for administration, staff, and occasional public use (SKI)

• Emergency voice telephone line for elevator (SKK – 1; SKI – 1)

• Fax machine with separate phone line for administration and staff (SKI)

• Voice telephone line with three extensions for administration, staff, fax, and occasional patron use (SKH, SKK).

 

B. Software Available:

 

Operating Systems

• Windows XP (SKH – 5; SKK – 6; SKI –34)

• Windows 7 (SKH-2; SKK – 3; SKI – 11)

 

Security Programs

• Deepfreeze (SKH – 6; SKK – 9; SKI – 43)

• Norton Anti-Virus on all computers, all locations.

 

Internet Filter

8e6 on all computers, all locations

 

On-Line Products

• Ocean State Libraries on-line public access catalog all locations

• Ocean State Libraries on-line circulation and cataloging for staff all locations

• EBSCO databases , all locations

 

Productivity (public access)

• Microsoft Office 2003

 

Productivity (staff)

• Microsoft Office 2003 (SKH – 1; SKI – 2)

• Microsoft Office 2007 (SKH – 4; SKK – 6; SKI – 12)

• Macromedia Dream weaver MX 2004

• Print shop Deluxe (SKH – 2; SKK – 1; SKI – 2)

• Print Master Gold ( SKH – 2; SKI – 2)

 

Goal

To provide for the technology needs of all library patrons and staff.

 

Objective I:

To incorporate technological developments in hardware and software into the library’s program of service every year.

 

Activities

1. Upgrade existing hardware and software associated with Ocean State Libraries by submitting requests for funding to the Ocean State Libraries Offices for incorporation into its annual application to the Champlin Foundations.

2. Continue to provide productivity software to the public.

3. Continue to respond to changes in eBook technologies.

 

Objective II:

To continue to acquire, organize and disseminate electronic information resources that will inform, educate and enrich the lives of library patrons, yearly.

 

Activities

1. Continue to enhance web site design, functionality and ease of use (http:/www.skpl.org) so that in-house and remote users can learn about library hours, services, collections, and access the Ocean State Libraries catalog, electronic databases and Internet links to help them execute productive searches.

2. Continue to provide funding for the online databases available through Ocean State Libraries.

3. Provide funding to Ocean State Libraries for eBook purchases.

 

Objective III:

To develop alternative funding strategies to transition away from total dependence on the Champlin Foundations for hardware acquisition.

 

Activities

1. During the next year, explore the possibility of obtaining Capitol Improvement Plan (CIP) monies to support the ongoing hardware needs of the library.

2. Work with the Library Board of Trustees to solicit financial support from the local community to help fund the technology needs of the library.

 

Objective IV:

To comply with United States Supreme Court Decisions upholding the Childhood Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NICPA).

 

Activities

Maintain 8e6, or other filtering software on, all computers at all locations.

 

Objective V:

To provide library staff with the opportunity to enhance their use of technology, every year.

 

Activities

1. Staff will attend technology workshops, seminars, or conferences sponsored by Ocean State Libraries and OLIS.

2. Staff will be provided with necessary technology to manage their responsibilities and duties effectively.

3. The Library Associate will meet and train with the Ocean State Libraries Technical Support Specialist regularly to keep current with the latest technical advances in hardware, software, and telecommunications.

 

Funding

 

Funds to support technology and services will come from the following sources: Town of South Kingstown

State Grant-In -Aid

Annual grant from the Champlin Foundations

Ocean State Libraries Membership Fees

Library’s Endowment

 

No reductions are anticipated in FY 12

 

Evaluation

 

Indicators that will help determine the effectiveness of accomplishing the stated service goals include the number of hits to the web site, statistics obtained on usage of individual electronic databases and digital downloads, the number of points of access available and the number of PC users. The plan will be reassessed annually to evaluate progress and modify objectives set forth.

 

Approved May 1998 by SKPL Board of Trustees

Revised: December 2001, November 2003, July 2005, October 2006, June 2008; March 2012