Optimizing Technology in Libraries: Planning & Looking Forward Michael Stephens St. Joseph County Public Library

Our Plan: Tips for Planning Librarians Beware Technolust and Technomust! Looking to the Future

Tips for Technology Planners

“Technology is a tool…it is only a tool” Sandra Nelson Wired for the Future

Meeting the Mission: Is the Tech Plan part of a bigger mission & vision? Does it fulfill a goal or objective?

Milwaukee County Federated Library System Goals: To strengthen and enhance technology- related administration, documentation and training To maintain a Technology Planning Process.

Who plans? A mixture of admin and IT as well as front line staff Stakeholders must be involved IT cannot plan new services without librarians and admin! Librarians cannot plan new services without IT!

What is the Lifespan of the Library Technology Plan 1-2 years 3-5 years 5+ years? (probably too long)

How do we create buy-in? Keep staff informed! Blog planning or new projects Offer training: “Meet RFID!” “Welcome to WiFi!” No surprises please!

Look for High Impact Prioritize projects Finish what you start Plan for evaluation

Low Cost/High Impact Add blogs externally and internally Offer an IM reference service Train your staff!

Beware Technolust! Beware Technomust!

Beware Technolust Sexy Technology Wanting it because it’s so cool! How does it fit into the plan or mission?

Beware Technomust “Many libraries experience technomust and follow the crowd, albeit later rather than earlier in many cases but they buy technology because others are, not because they have a plan about how they are going to use it to provide better service.” Chris Jowaissas

Looking Forward 2005 and Beyond…

User-Centered Technology Plans “It’s all about the Users.” Stephen Abram, CIL 2004 User-centered information services “Give them what they want.” IM? WiFi? MP3? iPods???? Telling STORIES

User Perception Not only are you spending money, you are expending library resources such as staff time, space, and hardware. You are also investing in a less tangible thing: your community’s perception. Libraries should strive to implement and promote “Wow Factor” services that actually SERVE the needs of users.

Remember the ROI Return on Investment Cost + Staff Time + Promotion =? Database Example

Are you aware? Library Toolbars Converged Devices Integrated RSS feeds Storage (iPod anyone?) Transitioned Technologies

In the Moment: Presence: You Your institution Promotion Community Webjunction.org Blendedlibrarian.org

In the Know Read journals Read Blogs & Use RSS: Subject-related blogs too (RFID) LITA Top Trends Chat with colleagues at conferences

Use some Good Tools Wired for the Future, Mayo & Nelson New Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach, Nelson

Use some Good Tools Webjunction Tech Atlas techatlas.org/tools/ TechSoup

Unplug My Friends

Thank You! Questions? Comments? AIM: mstephens7mac Skype: mstephens7