Technology-Planning

Attention NEKLS Members! I am excited to invite you to participate in an upcoming workshop: “In the Driver’s Seat: A Technology Planning Workshop”.

Participants will leave this hands-on workshop with a technology plan in hand and a vision of where they would like to go with the library’s technology.

In this workshop, you will:
- Assess your current technology services and resources
- Assess the technology needs of your library and community
- Develop goals and objectives to guide you in extending and enhancing your services and resources
- Use WebJunction’s free online technology planning tool “TechAtlas”. We will have the special opportunity to ask questions and receive training from a member of the TechAtlas team.
If your library does not have a technology plan or if you feel the technology plan you have could be better (more useful and meaningful), then this workshop is for you!

What:
In the Driver’s Seat: A Technology Planning workshop
Who:
Brenda Hough (NEKLS), Kendra Morgan (WebJunction’s TechAtlas), Jeff Hixon (State Library of Kansas)
When:
Tuesday, September 11, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where:
@ NEKLS Headquarters in Lawrence
How Much:
$5 for NEKLS members (lunch included)

TO REGISTER: Please contact me (Brenda) if you are interested in attending this workshop. I will be emailing registered participants information prior to the class. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Phone: (785) 838-4090
Email: bhough@nekls.org

More and more people are bringing their own personal laptop to the library. They are using the wireless Internet and appreciating the ability to use the space to work, study, and play. Mickey shared this recent post from the Ubiquitous Librarian’s blog with me; the article includes one librarian’s observations about how the need to find a place to plug in a laptop actually brings people together.

In many ways, technology is making it less necessary to visit the library. BUT we’re realizing that we have new roles for our space that are just as important as the old. Many libraries (small and large) are thinking about the best ways to facilitate the connection and communication users want. Here are some resources that might help you think in innovative ways about making the most of the space you have:

• WebJunction’s Focus on Space Planning
• South Jersey’s Trading Spaces
• Chris Rippel’s article What Libraries can Learn from Bookstores

I think we’re familiar with library space challenges, especially regarding technology and public access computing. I would love to hear your thoughts about what works well. Have you been in a library that really does a great job of creating a space that is accomodating and tech friendly (I know policies are important and staff attitudes, etc, but I’m specifically interested in examples of layout and space planning which work well)?

I spent some time at the Centralia Community Library yesterday, working with Sonny on various things, including getting her library’s equipment inventoried using the free WebJunction technology planning tool, TechAtlas. It was so slick! We ran the automatic inventory tool, which captured information about the hardware (how much RAM? how much hard drive space? what type of processor?) and also about the software versions. We then manually added other details for the computers, including purchase date, service plan parameters, etc…. We also manually entered the fax machine, the hand-held scanner, the printers, and the photocopier. It’s great to have all of that information in one place. As we all know, keeping up with technology can feel overwhelming. I think having an up-to-date inventory is such a powerful step towards feeling on top of things.

If you want to learn more about TechAtlas, there are numerous resources that can help:

• *The TechAtlas for Libraries Blog has current information.
• *A free online course, WebJunction’s TechAtlas for Libraries
• *ME! I would be glad to work with you to take advantage of the TechAtlas tools.

So far, I have seen libraries really taking advantage of the inventory capabilities of TechAtlas. It can, however, also help a library create a technology plan (e-rate compatible). Lots of potential for NEKLS libraries….