Introduction and
Mission Statement
A. The Library’s strategy for using information
technologies, including the integration of technology into library services.
B. How telecommunications and other services being requested
under the E-rate support the objectives of the technology plan.
C. How hardware, software and staff development are used in
relation to the services being requested.
D. The Library’s evaluation process.
E. Detail on the use of the services being requested via the
E-rate.
This Library Technology Plan describes how the McMillan
Memorial Library has integrated technology into its library services and
outlines plans for extending and improving a wide range of library services
through the use of modern information technology.
The plan also describes the level of commitment to funding,
training and cooperation that is required for the maintenance and continued
development of information services at the Library.
These plans are dynamic and will be adjusted over time in
response to emerging trends in information technology, changing community
needs, new partnership opportunities, and changes in funding available to the
Library. The Library's status assessments for staff training and installed
technology will also be updated as progress continues with implementation of
the plan.
The mission of public libraries is to serve the
public and to ensure the freedom to read and to freely choose from all sources
of information and knowledge for all of the people.
The purpose of the McMillan Memorial Library, as a public
service agency, is to provide all residents of the City of Wisconsin Rapids, of
Wood County and of the South Central Library System area with a comprehensive
collection of materials in a variety of media and formats that record
knowledge, ideas and culture; to organize these materials for easy access; to
offer guidance and encouragement in their use; to serve the people by providing
easily available sources of information, education and recreation; and to offer
programs, exhibits and events that promote individual development and
enlightenment. The Library does not restrict its materials, exhibits or program
selection to traditional formats, but continuously evaluates new technologies
and arts for their effectiveness as additions or improvements to the Library’s
service to the community.
The broad range of services offered by the Library has been
established to meet the information needs of the community and in support of
the Library's statutory obligations. Service needs assessments are based on
supporting information compiled from a variety of sources, including (but not
limited to): a community survey, staff experience in daily Library operations,
use reports from the Library's online services, professional publications, and
consulting and planning information provided by the South Central Library
System (SCLS), DPI's Division of Libraries and Community Learning (DLCL), and
Wisconsin InterLibrary Services (WILS).
Information technology is an essential component of today's
library services. It includes online public access catalogs, electronic
reference databases, Internet access and access to digital data on mass storage
systems such as CD-ROM and DVD. Cooperative agreements between libraries and
appropriate remote access technologies allow patrons to connect to many of the
Library's information resources from home, work, school and other libraries.
The Library’s main strategy for using information
technologies is to do so in partnership with other institutions. The main
example of this is the Library’s participation in the Library Interchange
NetworK (LINK) and other services connected to the South Central Library System
(SCLS). Through this partnership, the Library has access to a six county shared
library database, five public Internet stations, fourteen public
catalog/limited Internet stations and seventeen staff Internet/catalog
stations, a full text magazine database and other services. Appendix A lists some
of the services and information technologies that SCLS provides. SCLS also has
a pre-certified technology plan.
The Library also has partnership agreements with Wood County
Telephone Company, which provides a DSL connection (four workstations and a
meeting room), and Charter Communications, which provides two cable modem
connections (four workstations).
McMillan has goals that can not be fully realized within
existing partnerships. These will require revising those partnerships, forging
new ones and/or operating without partners.
Goal 1 To
participate fully in the technologies planned and/or delivered by the South
Central Library System and the LINK automated consortium. See the SCLS
Technology Plan and Appendix A for
additional details.
a) Participate
in SCLS/LINK study of the potential addition of databases to LINK backbone,
either on CD-ROM or via web access.
b) Replace
the remaining LINK public access terminals with PCs loaded with a graphic web
browser for improved Internet access.
c) Improve
current web based access to the shared database (LINKCat).
Goal 2 To
supplement in-library LINK services by providing and promoting additional
access to electronic resources.
a) Continue
to provide non-LINK access to the Internet and study the situation for
potential improvements.
b) Continue
to promote in-house and non-library (unmediated school, business and home) use
of electronic resources via monthly programs, in-library publicity and
brochures.
c) Study
the need for additional word processing and Internet workstations.
Goal 3 To
continue to provide state of the art meeting room facilities.
a) Maintain
Internet access points in the Fine Arts Center (theater), McCourt Conference
Room and All Purpose Room (meeting room).
Upgrade the connection in the FAC to high speed..
b) Study
providing Internet access point in the Video preview Room.
c) Study
providing video teleconference capability in the Fine Arts Center (theater) and
All Purpose Room (meeting room).
Many of the objectives listed above involve services that
fall within the scope of the E-rate program.
Goal 1 primarily concerns services provided through LINK and
SCLS and is covered by the SCLS Technology Plan. Though additional connections
and will be studied, they are not part of McMillan’s present E-rate request.
Goal 2 calls for continuing current non-LINK access to the
Internet and studying expanded service. This would involve Internet access and
new internal connections.
Goal 3 involves continuing current Internet access and
planning for high bandwidth video teleconferencing.
Integral to the operation of the library is basic telephone
service. This was significantly upgraded in 1997 and now includes 22 lines,
both digital voice lines and analog modem, fax and TDD lines. Including basic
phone service costs in the E-rate program will enable McMillan to make more
efficient use of its budget and allow maximum access to the library and its
services.
As the landscape of electronic information continues to grow
and change dramatically each year, it is essential that library patrons are
able to get directions and assistance from experienced guides. This plan
assumes that the roles of various Library staff members must evolve to meet emerging
patron needs in this regard. Library staff needs immediate and ongoing training
in order to develop and maintain skills with new information technologies.
Each individual staff member need not learn all of the new
technology skills, but collectively the Library's staff (and its service
development partners) need at least minimal competency in the following skill
areas and concept groups:
·
Online library catalog principles and operations.
·
Access to the Library via web, e-mail or touch-tone
phone.
·
Personal computer principles and operations.
·
Personal computer software installation and
configuration.
·
Basic computer hardware connections and
troubleshooting.
·
Principles of internetworked information systems.
·
Basic web browser principles and operations.
·
Use of Internet search engines and online reference
resources.
·
Basic e-mail client software operations.
·
Principles of digital data types (text, HTML, pdf, GIF,
executables, etc.)
·
Basic office suite software operations (word
processing, spreadsheets, etc.)
·
Basic HTML authoring rules and techniques.
In addition to using all of these skills and ideas in daily
Library operations, the Library's staff and development partners must be able
to impart at least some of these concepts to patrons, so that the community may
use the Library's information services most effectively.
To aid in planning staff development and evaluating its
effectiveness, the Library has established competencies for the various
departments and grades. These are attached as Appendix B.
The Library serves a community with diverse interests and
needs, and is charged with the delicate task of balancing the openness of its
information systems with protecting the privacy of its patrons and the security
of its technology infrastructure. The Library must also meet its statutory
obligations for providing services and for reporting to its governing bodies.
To meet all of these diverse responsibilities, the Library
is pursuing an equally diverse range of information services. In order to
provide the best overall service, the Library's information technologies must
be developed in a coordinated fashion, hopefully in a way that provides a
seamless integration of the many services being offered. To further this
integration of services, technology development planning in the Library must
consider a wide range of criteria.
Generally, the Library strives to use information technology
elements which:
·
Conform to national and international standards (ANSI,
IEEE, IETF, etc.).
·
Have an open system design (interoperable with other
systems).
·
Are scalable or upgradable to accommodate service
growth.
·
Are modular in design (for easy swapping of components
or connections).
·
Support cross-platform connectivity (DOS, Windows, Mac
OS and UNIX).
·
Support multiple connection types (network, phone,
modem, wireless, etc.).
·
Offer consistent, well-designed user interface options.
·
Can record, summarize and report pertinent service use
statistics.
·
Have a proven track record in mainstream applications.
Specifically, the Library and its LINK development partners
currently endorse the use of the following elements:
·
Wiring with twisted pair Category 5 cable, using
modular RJ45 connectors.
·
The use of TCP/IP protocol standards for network
connectivity.
·
The use of Internet standards for e-mail and web
connectivity.
Patron privacy considerations and commercial software
licensing agreements must be accounted for in information service design. The
Library is also concerned with the security of its information technology
elements, and seeks to prevent accidental or intentional interference with
their operations. For these reasons, the Library endorses technology elements
which:
·
Permit anonymous access where patron privacy concerns
are at issue.
·
Permit user authentication where software licensing
concerns are at issue.
·
Allow for both authentication and privacy protection at
the same time.
·
Offer control of the number of simultaneous users of
any given resource.
·
Define user classes with different access privileges
(patron, staff, admin).
·
Provide access and security for remote administration
and configuration.
·
Selectively permit or deny access using appropriate
criteria (passwords, time of day, patron bar code and PIN, physical location,
IP address, etc.).
To facilitate hardware and software
development, the Library has undertaken a technology assessment, which is
included as Appendix C.
Historically, intensive use of information technology has
carried a rather high price tag. This is still true today of its latest
developments and most intensive uses. However, some predictions of yesteryear
have proved true: Computer networks now span the globe and computers are
transforming the way that people and businesses communicate information
worldwide.
With information technology becoming a mainstream commodity,
strong competition is emerging among vendors, so that more and more powerful
solutions are becoming available at ever more reasonable prices. In turn, the
spread of powerful, affordable personal computers and multimedia authoring
tools is fueling the processes that are turning computers into a major
publication media.
With current prices and market trends, the Library has the
opportunity to make major improvements to its installed technology base during
the course of this plan. In order to fulfill its mission in coming years, the
Library will develop access to the broad spectrum of new electronic media
types, and will provide reference information both with them and about them.
The Library's budget covers the continuation of current
services and a modest expansion of the Library's installed information
technology base. The budget may be supplemented by technology investments from
LINK and SCLS for special development projects. Other special projects may
provide for new technology acquisitions through grant money or sponsor
donations. These kinds of partnerships have historically played an important
role in library service development and will continue to do so in the future.
The Library has a history of community involvement and cooperation
with other libraries and public agencies. Quite often, a partnership with
community groups or with other public agencies will result in an economy of
scale, allowing the Library to get more return on their investments than would
otherwise be possible. The Library recognizes that significant service
development cannot continue without strong community support and the pursuit of
appropriate project development partnerships.
The Library maintains one vitally important library services
partnership as a member of the Library Interchange NetworK. The LINK consortium
was formed in 1993 to pool funds for the purchase and operation of a shared,
second generation, integrated library automation system. Through economy of
scale, the LINK consortium provides for a wide range of library services that
would not otherwise be possible for most of its member libraries. The Library
is committed to working cooperatively with its LINK partners to further the
development of information services for all library patrons in the region.
The Library’s Technology Coordinator (currently the
Assistant Director) will report quarterly to the Library Director on
implementation of the Technology Plan and propose modifications. The Technology
Coordinator will make use of statistics generated by the automated system and
collected by library staff, recommendations by the staff of the Library
Interchange NetworK and South Central Library System and suggestions from
library staff and patrons. Each January
the Library Director will present a written report on implementation of the
Library’s Technology Plan to the Library Board and forward a copy to the
Wisconsin Rapids City Council and the South Central Library System.
The Library’s Technology Plan will be available to
the public both in print and as part of the Library’s website. Public comment
will be invited, recorded and used in developing future technology plans.
Services being requested at this time relate to existing
telephone and Internet services.
The use of the services relating to these items has been
outlined above. The Library is studying additional Internet and telephone
services as well as high bandwidth video teleconferencing. While not included
in the 2001 E-rate request, these may be part of future requests.
The Library is a member of LINK, the Library Interchange
NetworK of the South Central Library System. LINK is a consortium of public
libraries which jointly own and operate a shared library automation system. The
shared system is called LINKcat, and it integrates a wide range of crucial
library service functions in a single system with a consistent interface. In
addition to LINKcat, the Library's LINK consortium membership offers Internet
access, Library web site publication, and shared costs in auxiliary database
development and the implementation of new technologies.
LINK membership also gives the Library direct access to a
team of highly skilled information technology professionals. The SCLS
Automation team members support the Library in computer system problem
resolution, hardware and software installation and maintenance, information
services planning and evaluation, and staff training in key technology skill
areas.
The LINKcat Dial Access module permits patrons to connect to
LINKcat services from home, school or work using a modem or Internet
connection. Through its integrated Circulation, Cataloging, Acquisitions,
Serials, Community Resources and Public Access modules, the LINKcat server aids
the Library's staff and patrons in the following key service areas:
·
Public access catalog and materials reservation.
·
Materials acquisition, processing and inventory
control.
·
Materials circulation transaction control.
·
Collection and reporting of library use statistics.
·
Local access to electronic information sources.
·
Remote access to electronic information sources.
·
Interlibrary materials sharing (ILL).
In addition to LINKcat, SCLS maintains a connection to the
Internet via WiscNet and has developed its own Internet domain, scls.lib.wi.us.
In support of Internet and other information service extensions being developed
on behalf of LINK, SCLS maintains its own DNS name server, a firewall, a web
server (www.scls.lib.wi.us) and an e-mail server. These servers aid the Library
in the following service areas:
·
Internet access to government, consumer interests,
schools and more.
·
Internet publication of library and community
information.
·
Public education on the use of modern library
information resources.
·
Internal and external communications.
·
Interlibrary data and document sharing.
·
Library administration.
The LINK consortium maintains a climate controlled computer
room to house the LINKcat server and other large servers that are shared
between all member libraries. Having a consolidated, centralized network
backbone facilitates the coordination of system maintenance operations and
makes it easier to integrate the wide range of services being developed by
consortium partners. A detailed assessment of the LINK Network Operations
Center, its servers, and plans for its further development are presented in the
LINK Consortium Technology Plan.
The SCLS Automation support team maintains a suite of
offices adjacent to the LINK Network Operations Center. They use these
facilities to coordinate LINK maintenance and development and to offer
technical support to member library staff for daily library service operations.
The Automation team prepares documentation for staff and patrons using LINK
network services, and provides training to member library staff. A detailed assessment
of the LINK Network Information Center, its functions, and plans for its
further development are presented in the LINK Consortium Technology Plan.
An ethernet LAN running TCP/IP networking software provides the
backbone of LINK services within the Library. As part of the larger LINK WAN,
the IP addresses of the LAN fall into the Internet domain of the South Central
Library System (scls.lib.wi.us), providing dedicated Internet connectivity. The
ethernet LAN is extended to serial devices (text-only data terminals and some
PCs) through a network access server. A high performance Cisco router bridges
the Library's LINK LAN to the LINK Network Operations Center with a T-1 digital
data circuit. The NOC is in turn connected to the Internet via another T-1..
The Library accesses the LINK network with several different
workstation types, each meeting different service requirements.
Text-only data terminals are low cost, low speed devices
(19200bps) that are suitable for direct access to LINKcat, LINK's shared
integrated automation system. Data terminals are not capable of viewing
graphics or storing information locally but are enabled through LINKcat to
access external databases and the Internet. These will be phased out over the
next year.
PCs with a GUI interface (Windows 95, 98, 2000 or NT) serve
as enhanced Internet access points and allow for the printing of special
document types that cannot be handled by the text-only data terminals, such as
scanned images and page image versions of online government forms or articles
from periodicals.
PCs are connected directly to the LINK ethernet LAN backbone
for high speed connections.
All staff are responsible for an assigned set of
competencies commensurate for their positions and duties. As new equipment,
software and technologies are implemented, the skills associated with them are
added to staff competencies at the appropriate level. All staff in a
classification are notified when competencies are changed for that
classification. The Technology Coordinator (currently the Assistant Director)
is responsible updating and revising the competencies as the situation evolves.
Basic Dynix - Circulation
Advanced Dynix - Circulation
Basic Dynix - OPAC
Basic Internet
Basic Dynix - Circulation
Advanced Dynix - Circulation
Basic Dynix - OPAC
Basic Internet
Basic Dynix - Circulation
Basic Dynix - OPAC
Basic Internet
Basic Dynix - Circulation
Basic Internet
Basic Dynix - Circulation
Basic Dynix - OPAC
Basic Internet
Advanced Dynix/Internet - SIC
Competencies for the areas they back up.
Basic Internet
q
Log Dynix stations on and off.
q
Access Dynix e-mail.
q
Access Eudora e-mail if assigned an account.
q
Check out items.
q
Change the date due.
q
Renew an item within circulation module.
q
Use a patron’s name to check out.
q
Understand patron blocks and how to respond to them.
q
Check in items and route them (Send, Transit Hold and
Hold)
q
Sort SCLS delivery and check in.
q
Know how and when to use book drop check in.
q
Know the date due periods and overdue fines of various
materials.
q
How to place, cancel, activate and inactivate holds.
q
Call SCLS staff for help.
q
Use the cordless phone.
q
Check and reset modems
q
Know how to accept full and partial fine payments.
q
Know the functions on the cash register, including how
to enter fines, lost books, rental books and other transactions.
q
PURF (interpret, enter, and resolve data), including
refunds.
q
Do fast-adds.
q
Claims returned procedure.
q
Know how and when to waive fines.
q
Know how to arrange for mail, phone and e-mail
notification.
q
Know how and when to use fine free check in.
q
Know how to register patrons.
q
Recognize proper identification for registration and
checkout.
q
How to erase or modify a PIN.
q
Use CIV to change collection code and ITYPE
q
Familiar with PC Reliance backup software.
q
Know how to read and explain a COPY STATUS screen.
q
Review patron record functions, including:
q
Renew items.
q
Check queue and hold status.
q
How to place, cancel, activate and inactivate holds.
q
Title and title keyword searches
q
Author searches
q
Subject and subject keyword searches.
q
Sorting results.
q
Limiting results.
q
Know how to select a range of records from search
results and use "NT" and "PT" to move within selected
records.
q
Saving and printing bibliographies.
q
Community resource database.
q
Magazine database.
q
All other requirements covered in internal program.
q
Any of the basic Internet tutorials listed on
McMillan's web site.
q
Fifty top Internet sites as listed on our web site.
q
Internet searching program as listed on web site
q
Familiarity with the Library's web site.
q
Know the differences among the types of Internet access
available at the Library.
q
Use Eudora e-mail to check and reply to messages (those
with accounts only).
q
Know the troubleshooting steps for the Library's
Internet stations: close software, soft boot, hard boot.
q
Parameter check and other troubleshooting techniques.
q
Location of Ethernet hubs, terminal servers, routers
and other telecommunication equipment.
q
Dial into LINKCat and assist patrons in doing so.
q
Use WebPac to access LINKCat and assist patrons in doing
so.
q
Advanced searches in magazine database.
q
Use hidden commands (LP, ST, USE, HOLDS) and interpret
results.
q
Program keys and passwords on terminals and PCs.
Last revised November
4, 2003
In support of its objectives and obligations, the Library
currently owns or operates the information technology components listed below,
or has allocated budget funds and approved their purchase.
The Library has 22 voice-quality telephone lines. Five of these lines are used for analog connections, linking the Library to the community and/or the Internet.
The Library has one special data-grade phone line. This line
is dedicated to a T-1 Digital Data Service for the Library's LINK Wide Area
Network connection.
Wood County Telephone has donated a DSL connection (used by
four PCs and a meeting room).
Charter Communications has donated two cable modem
connections (used by four PCs).
The Library uses Category 5 (rated to 100 MHz, suitable for
Ethernet 100Base-T, 10Base-T) cable for internal networking:
The Library has category 5 twisted pair cabling for use with
its LINK LAN. Forty seven locations in the building are cabled for LINK, WCTC
or Charter LAN connections.
The Library operates the following data terminals and PCs to
provide access to its information services:
Nineteen networked PCs for staff use (minimum 48 MB)
connected by ethernet to the Library's LINK LAN via TCP/IP for full Internet
connectivity. Ethernet connected PCs have e-mail and web browsing software, and
use Windows peer-to-peer networking for file and application sharing. Thirteen of these machines are also licensed
for LINKCat.
Five networked PCs for public use connected by ethernet to
the Library's LINK LAN via TCP/IP for full Internet connectivity.
Thirteen networked PCs for public use connected by ethernet
to the Library's LINK LAN via TCP/IP for limited Internet access and use of
LINKCat.
Four networked PCs for public use connected by Ethernet to a
DSL donated by Wood County Telephone Company. These include word processing and
other software.
Four networked PCs for public use connected by Ethernet to
two cable modems donated by Charter Communications. These include word
processing and other software.
Two standalone PCs for patron use for use with CD-ROM
products.
The Library maintains one Local Area Network (10BaseT
ethernet, extended to serial devices via a network access server) for use with
LINK connectivity. At present there are thirty-eight PCs on this network.
The Library has one twenty four, one sixteen and one eight
port network access server for use with LINK connectivity. The LINK access
server provides serial port connections for text-only data terminals and PCs,
and translates these connections into network access using telnet software or
the TCP/IP Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). *
The Library has 1 network traffic router for use with LINK
connectivity. The router (a Cisco 2500 series) bridges the Library's local LINK
LAN to the LINK Wide Area Network through a T-1 digital data circuit. *
*LINK network connectivity equipment is owned by the LINK
consortium and its acceptable use, configuration and development is governed by
consortium policy.
The Library's LINK technology elements (terminals, PCs,
network equipment and software) are maintained by LINK consortium staff as part
of the Library's LINK membership benefits. The Library is only responsible for
replacement parts costs for PC and printer components which are out of
warranty.
The Library has evaluated its electric power capacity and in
1997 undertook a remodeling program to ensure that it is adequate to meet the needs
of the technology development projects described in this technology plan.
Continued growth in the use of information technology in the Library may
require additional electrical capacity, and capacity must be re-evaluated
during the planning stage of each new technology project in the Library.