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Portage County Public Library Technology Plan 2003 - 2006

1.  Introduction

The Portage County Public Library seeks to ensure a future which will provide its users with all needed formats of information, whether print or electronic.

The Portage County Public Library uses information technology to provide technologically advanced information and independent learning resources for the use of County residents. The Library strives to provide expertise in using those resources, and an environment that enhances study, supports lifelong learning, provides needed information and supports acquisition of knowledge. Technology expands the services that Portage County Public Library delivers to its users and extends the capacity of the library beyond its walls.

Both the Library staff and Board recognize that planning is complicated by rapid changes in technology. This plan is intended to be continuously reviewed and revised as necessary in response to emerging trends in information technology, changing community needs, new partnership opportunities, and changes in funding available to the Library. It sets out overall goals and general direction for the library.

2. Institutional Background

The Portage County Public Library (PCPL) was formed under the laws of Wisconsin in 1982. It traces its roots to the first municipal library in the county, founded in 1897 in Stevens Point. When the county agreed to finance the day-to-day operations of a consolidated countywide public library, and the Villages of Almond and Rosholt and the city of Stevens Point agreed to relinquish their municipal jurisdiction, the county library was born, one of only a few consolidated county libraries in Wisconsin. The creation of the consolidated county library opened the door to library development throughout the county. The county system grew in 1983 when the Village of Plover initiated library service, in 1991 when the Village of Plover moved to a larger building, and again in 1992 with the opening of the new building in Stevens Point.

The consolidated county library has a service population of over 67,000. Approximately 35,000 live in the City of Stevens Point and the Village of Plover. The balance of 32,182 live in smaller villages, towns and other rural locations.

A summary of the Portage County Public Library’s mission statement is:

Our mission is to provide information, support lifelong learning, 
and promote reading and literacy

Rapid changes in the automation field continue to challenge the library's ability to keep up. Still, in the last 3 years, the PCPL completed its upgrade of its online system and achieved many of the objectives stated in the earlier technology plan. These achievements include, but are not limited to:

·       Enhancing the telecommunication capabilities of the local area network (LAN) for resource sharing purposes, and for access to selected information through the Internet.

·       Enhancing public access to the Internet at all Portage County Public Library branches.

·       Developing a community database of service agencies with access via the Internet.

·       Replacing "dumb" public terminals with PCs.

·       Installing e-mail technology to notify customers of overdue materials and materials on hold.

·       Adding five computer workstations at Main and two at Plover.

Vision for Technology at Portage County Public Library

The people of Portage County, in and through their Portage County Public Library, will have convenient access to electronic information resources through dependable technology and reliable telecommunications.

Our role will be: 1) to provide access to information by providing the necessary in-house hardware and affordable products and services, and 2) to guide library users in their use of electronic information. Library users will be assisted as needed by a sufficient number of knowledgeable, trained staff who can help them make the best use of both new and traditional information resources.

3. State of Current Technology

Portage County Public Library uses the Endeavor Voyager integrated library management system. This system provides all of the basic library operations, including check in / check out, access to the online catalog, electronic ordering of library materials, etc. This was done in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  We are the only public library in Wisconsin that has strong collaborative relationship with the University of Wisconsin, specifically, UW-Stevens Point.   It is rare and unique for a public library and a university library to collaborate to the degree these two local libraries do.  There are four major areas of cooperation: web services, development of historical databases and indexes, a shared on-line catalog platform and wireless connectivity. These libraries deliver more bang for the buck to area taxpayers.

The Plover Branch Library connects to the online system via wireless technology. The Almond branch and Rosholt branch circulate on-line using standard telephone Internet access.

Library users may also connect to Portage County Library's Voyager system via the Internet.

All branches of the Portage County Public Library have Internet access.  The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point through wireless technology provides Internet access at the Charles M. White Library Building and the Plover Branch. In addition to providing access to the public, library staff uses the link for accessing remote information resources and for electronic mail. Internet access at Almond and Rosholt is provided by the local telephone company through a standard telephone line.

Telecommunications systems provide the infrastructure for communication of electronic data. Portage County Public Library currently depends on both wireless technology and standard telephone service for its access to the Internet and to enable its branches to take advantage of the on-line catalog.

4. Program Goals

Goal: To provide all residents of Portage County access to worldwide resources in each Portage County Public Library location.

OBJECTIVES:

Explore new methods of networking and resource sharing with other libraries, particularly UWSP, using advanced telecommunication capabilities and the Internet. Timetable -- continual effort.

Maintain, update, & expand community database, in collaboration with other county agencies, containing information on a wide range of community organizations, clubs, and agencies. This database would be available to the general public via the Internet, and would be searchable by name, subject and keyword. Timetable -- continual effort.

Continue to collaborate with University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to use wireless technology to gain access to the Internet. Timetable -- continual effort.

Explore the possibility of using wireless technology for networking applications other than Internet access. Timetable -- continual effort

Goal: To provide training for the public by the Portage County Library staff in order to develop self-reliant library users.

OBJECTIVES:

Instruct users on how to use the computers to access electronic resources. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Provide instruction for the public on skills and techniques for accessing electronic information. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Provide instruction for the public on using the Web-based computer system public catalog to search for materials, to place holds, to renew items, and to place requests. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Continue to provide instructional brochures and handouts to the public on how to use electronic resources. Timetable -- continual effort

Goal: To provide continual training for the staff.

OBJECTIVES:

Provide staff with appropriate, ongoing job related training in order to use the integrated library computer system at its optimal level. Timetable -- continual effort

Provide staff with appropriate, ongoing job-related training necessary to use Internet and other electronic resources to their greatest potential. Timetable -- continual effort

Provide staff with appropriate ongoing job-related training necessary to perform routine PC and printer maintenance. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Continue to use videoconferencing equipment to provide staff with training and continuing education possibilities. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Make videoconferencing equipment available to the public. Timetable -- June 2003

Establish a computer-training laboratory for joint use by staff and public. Timetable – January 2005.

5. Technology software, hardware and telecommunications

Goal: To insure that the library's integrated computer system is satisfactory to meet the growing customer population and use, the growth of the Library System, and management needs.

OBJECTIVES:

Upgrade the software for the integrated computer system when appropriate to make the best possible use of the system. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Explore the pros & cons of self-check out machines, explore remodeling circulation desk to accommodate self- check our machines and consider purchasing two self-check out machines for the Charles M. White Library Building. Timetable – June 2033.

Goal: To provide adequate computer workstations for public use.

OBJECTIVES:

Study the possibility of reducing the duplication of CD-ROM products and related software through the use of LAN/WAN technology. Timetable – September 2003.

Add six computer workstations at Main and two at Plover, and one each at Almond & Rosholt. Timetable – July 2003.

Upgrade software on computer workstations to maintain current applications and add new software when appropriate. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Goal: Develop an electronic reference service network for the Charles M. White building and all the branches.

OBJECTIVES:

Promote the E-mail reference service. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Purchase Fax machine for the Rosholt Branch. Timetable – June 2003.

Provide public access to a variety of online databases. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Join with other libraries to provide an electronic information resources gateway. Timetable – January 2004.

Review and augment existing subscriptions and services to online databases and CD-ROM products. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Cooperate with other libraries and systems for greater access to online databases. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Cooperate with other libraries to develop recommended Internet sites.  Timetable -- Continual effort.

Goal: Create and maintain a sound, state-of-the-art technology infrastructure.

OBJECTIVES:

Replace and upgrade older telecommunications equipment and software at all library locations. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Use wireless telecommunications wherever it is both economically and technologically feasible. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Explore federal and state telecommunications programs and participate as needed. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Explore implementation of the Z39.50 protocol as a means of connecting the automated systems of SCLS & Marshfield PL. Timetable –July 2003

Explore new wireless equipment that would expand bandwidth to permit collaboration with SCLS if IP-based videoconferencing and streaming media are pursued by SCLS. Timetable –July, 2003

Goal: To develop a technology based internal communications structure for all staff of Portage County Public Library.

OBJECTIVES:

Make the transition from paper communications to electronic communications within the Library. Timetable – June 2003.

Train each staff member to use e-mail and word processing. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Develop guidelines for the appropriate use of electronic communications. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Goal: To provide technology infrastructure necessary to support distance learning.

OBJECTIVES:

Provide sufficient computer workstations for the use of distance learners. Timetable -- Continual effort.

Provide training for staff to assist distance learners. Timetable -- Continual effort.

6. Budget

Goal: Secure adequate funding to finance staff training, personal computer repair, telecommunication expense, and automated system maintenance.

Maintain current budgets for computer support, training, etc. Timetable -- Continual effort.

7. Evaluation

Conduct periodic needs assessments to determine whether library resources and programs are satisfying the needs of the users.

Overall success of the program will be judged by the use of circulation data, the number of residents served, a measure of the in-library use of electronic resources, a measure of the use of out-of-library use of electronic resources, and surveys as appropriate.

updated December 01, 2005