Technology Planning Summer Camp 2 Nebraska Library Commission August & September 2012

1. What is a Technology Plan?
Christa Burns & John Felton
Technology Planning Summer Camp 2:
Don’t Just Survive, Thrive!

2. The Structure
• Executive summary
• Library description
• Library challenges
• Current technology environment
• Emerging technologies
• Web site evaluation
• Recommendations

3. Executive Summary
• 1-2 page narrative summary
of the plan
• Do last, after all of the other
sections are completed

4. Library Description
• Introduction • Budget
• Purpose of the plan • Collection size &
• Library history annual growth
• Physical description • Services offered
• Mission statement • Use of the library
• Community served • Current technology
• Staffing
Visuals never hurt!

5. Library Challenges
• SWOT Analysis
–Strengths
–Weaknesses
–Opportunities
–Threats

6. Current Technology
• Hardware
–Patron computers, Staff
computers, networking
equipment, peripherals
• Software
–OSes, Patrons, Staff

7. How to pick new tech
Think about “competencies”
What do you think your staff
needs to know to move your
library into the future?

8. Emerging Technologies
• Audio/Video
• Wireless (802.11n/ac)
• Mobile
• RFID
• Social Media
• 3D printing
• More? [insert your favorite here]

9. Web Site Analysis
• Follows current design practices?
• Platform?
–Static, CMS
• Accessible?
• Social?
• Mobile?

10. Recommendations
• Priorities
• Description of relevant categories
• Listing of the specific recommendations
– Type (new
software, application, hardware)
– Cost (including interdependencies)
– Benefits
• Recommended timeline
• Assessment/results/training needed

11. Suggested phrasing
“In the next [time frame],
the library will [action or
recommendation],
which will result in [associated
benefits].”

12. More Resources
• Matthews, Joseph R., Technology Planning:
Preparing and Updating a Library
Technology Plan: Libraries Unlimited, 2005.
• TechSoup for Libraries:
http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/
• WebJunction – Technology Planning:
http://www.webjunction.org/techplan
• NLC Technology Planning Worksheet:
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/erate/worksheet
.aspx