Technology Plan

Whitman County Rural Library District Technology Plan 2005-2008

Current Technical Activities and Resources for the community

1. Toll-free reference, renewal and requests by phone. Equalizes service countywide by allowing residents access to our system at no cost. This is beneficial in rural areas where branch libraries have minimal hours and calling Colfax means incurring long distance charges.
2. 24-hour customer access to library catalog and other resources from the library's website. This includes 24-hour access to a live reference librarian via Ask Us 24/7 software. Whitman County Library staff work as online librarians as part of a national consortium to make this service available.
3. Email reference service from the library’s website, with Whitman County Library reference staff responding in a timely manner.
4. Within library buildings, the library catalog of approximately 73,000 holdings is directly accessible from each branch.
5. Circulation of printed & online database resources over 140,000 per year to a population base of approximately 16,000 people.
6. Internet access in 13 locations countywide offered free to the public, linking users to millions of resources from around the world. Printing capability in all locations. Visually impaired or non-English speaking library customers can use these Gates Foundation computers, which also offer a good variety of software products for customers of all ages.
7. Filtered Internet access is available at the Colfax library using IPRISM filtering software.  Many of our remote branches use filtering software to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
8. On-line resources include Proquest, magazines and newspapers online, Learn-a-test.com, practice exams for a variety of audiences, Groliers online encyclopedia, Electric Library for younger students, Auto repair reference manual. Other helpful websites are compiled for customer convenience.
9. Word processing stations (also serve as Internet stations) are offered to the public in 13 locations countywide, 10 stations are available in the main library.
10. From the Whitman County Library website, users can connect to our library from remote locations all over the world and retrieve information about library resources and collections, services and policies. Web pages also provide links to help users locate productive reference resources on the Web.
11. Computer Lab in Colfax – 7 computers are avalible to groups who pre-register
12. Wireless Internet access is available in Colfax anywhere within the building.
13. Basic Internet and computer classes are available to the public weekly in the Colfax Library. We also offer Instructional online classes in the use of our website and Ask US 24/7. These are available for teachers, students and other community groups by simply contacting the library.
14. A low-vision reader is available in Colfax for customers needing magnification of books, newspapers, magazines, photos and more.
15. Email provides library staff quick access to the expertise of fellow staff members, to information about new and emerging resources, and to the expertise of others worldwide to assist in our service to library customers.
16. CD-ROM bibliographic resources (Lasercat) aid in MARC cataloging and interlibrary loan which improves our service to the community.
17. Administration and support services utilize word processing; financial programs, database, and graphics software facilitate administrative and clerical activities, speeding service to the community.
18. Automated statistical manager allows many library functions to be analyzed, evaluated and implemented using accurate statistical reports and measurements, allowing us to analyze the products and services most popular within our community. This allows the library to focus its resources where they are needed most.

Technology Issues

Current 2005-08

1. Replace all workstations older than 9 years.
2. Move sensitive computer equipment from the basement to the main or mezzanine floor to protect it from water damage in case of a natural disaster.
3. Work with outside resources to streamline the cataloging process and properly train a staff member in MARC cataloging.
4. Assess computing needs and budget for these accordingly
5. Join catalog with Neill Public Library,  late 2005-2006 to improve the automated catalog.
6. Improve bandwidth to branches through the use of new technologies,  like wireless access to Tekoa and Farmington.
7. Continue to apply for e-rate telecommunication subsidies.
8. Review our Internet acceptable use policies and procedures. Update as needed.
9. Continue planning for a shared library catalog with Neill Public Library, Washington State University libraries or WIN (Washington Idaho Network.)
10. Review this document and give the issues listed a high priority when preparing the library budget for the upcoming year. This includes upgrades of equipment, hardware and software.
11. Continual education and study in the area of technology advances, changes, and trends.
12. Improve patron and staff computer configurations to minimize downtime due to software problems. 

Desired Services and Technologies to improve library service

These are changes in library procedures that will improve the service our customers receive.

1. Online registration for new patrons via our website. This would require an upgrade of our software or a change on our website along with a change of procedure.
2. Cooperative project with Neill Public Library and/or others. Share catalog and technical resources, human and machine, to provide greater resource to all patrons and to save money.

3.  Offer Wireless access to all remote branches.

Staff Training Plan

1. All new employees will participate in intensive training on all technical aspects of their library position. Necessary documentation will be accessible to all staff.
2. Provide all staff members at least two training sessions per year on computer or software related topics. One session will be provided by a trainer from outside of our library system (most likely the Washington State Library). The other will be provided by a trainer on staff or an individual in our area
3. Take advantage of any opportunities for staff training at a reduced or no fees. These area available occasionally from US West, INCOL, and other sources
4. Provide ongoing computer training, as needed to all staff members. Headquarters employees will be trained on an "as needed" basis. Branch managers will have an opportunity for training during their regularly scheduled monthly visits to Headquarters. Remedial or additional training will be provided whenever a staff member does not demonstrate the desired level of proficiency.
5. As new procedures, machines, software, or other technologies are introduced to the library system, appropriate levels of staff training will be scheduled above and beyond the schedule listed above

Inventory

Hardware and software currently in use or earmarked for future use.

1. Cisco PX firewall protect the Colfax network from security breaches.
2. Dell Poweredge 2500 server houses our catalog system.
3. Gates foundation Content server houses our IPAC online catalog.
4. Communication equipment includes: Cisco 2900 series switch,  Alled Telesyn switch.
5. T1 connection from the main library to the Internet. This bandwidth is shared with wireless customers of the ISP's modems co-located in our main branch. In this building, 1 phone line is dedicated to modem use, 1 dedicated to a fax machine, and 4 are voice lines. 17 regular phone lines serve our 12 branch locations. 12 branches have lines dedicated to voice and Internet. Excluding the T1 line, the total is 24 phone lines.
6. 3 of the PCs, all at the main branch, are 1998 Compaqs & 4 466e Emachines. The remaining 28 are Gateways: 8 P5-75s, 1 P5-100, 10 P5-166s and 1 Essential 400cTower,    8 400c Essentials.
   • 9  branches have 2 computers one dedicated to patron use and one exclusively for librarian use. St. John and Endicott have three PCs sharing a cable modem at 256 k per second, two are dedicated to patron use and one exclusively for librarian use. Farmington and Albion are the only two branches remaining on Dial-up access.
   • The main branch has 13 Gates library computers for patron use with- Internet and Office 2000 professional
   • 2 Pc's provide access to the catalog system.
   • 7 PCs are used for staff (counting reference as well) in the main branch.
   • The remaining PCs are used to swap quickly with any failed systems and as test platforms.

 

7. A vast array of printers allow printing on both the public and staff PCs countywide. These include: HP LaserJet 5P, HP LaserJet 4, Okidata Microline 591, ALPS color MD-1000, NEC Superscript 860, Epson T-750, Panasonic KX-P1091, Cannon BJ 200e, Okidata OL400e, Panasonic KX-P1123, HP Deskjet 672c, Xerox DocuPrint P8, HP 4100 laser printers

All Server and Network Equipment at the Colfax branch are protected by Uninterruptible Power Supplies.