Technology
Core to library services, access to technology requires active and ongoing planning. Technology plans should support library strategic planning, include more than just computers, accommodate new and emerging technologies, and include staff training. This section has tips for planning as well as inspiration for what your plan could include.
Articles and Resources
Why a technology plan?
Publish Date: Document / 22 February 2017
A technology plan can create a great path to guide the library and make sure that the mission is accomplished. This list can help you to explain the importance of planning in your library and create enthusiasm for the planning process.
Technology Vision Statements: Examples and suggestions
Publish Date: Document / 22 February 2017
Does your library have a vision for what technology should do for your library? Vision statements are a great way to describe where the library wants to be and what it values when choosing new technology
Technology planning evaluation
Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017
A practical guide to using a library technology plan as a living document, and building an evaluation process to make sure the technology plan aligns with the library's service goals.
Technology needs assessment
Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017
A collection of resources for determining what new and updated technologies to include in your library technology plan.
Open source systems power library websites
Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017
An overview of some of the tools libraries are using to build and manage their website, including links to examples of those websites
Checklist for a Library Technology Plan
Publish Date: Document / 21 February 2017
A concise list of what needs to be included in your library technology plan. This is a useful tool to use both for organizing your plan and for evaluating it to make sure that you haven't left out anything important!
3D printers: a revolution headed for your library
Publish Date: News / 9 November 2015
3D printing conjures notions of the Star Trek replicator—a computerized machine that can turn a verbal command into 3-dimensional objects, including food items. The evolution of 3D printers is advancing rapidly toward and even beyond that sci-fi visi...
Libraries and makers resources
Publish Date: Document / 7 July 2014
A document collecting resources on libraries and makers, including books, guides, websites, and links to webinars.
State Library Guidebook: Support for digital literacy in public libraries
Publish Date: Document / 8 October 2013
This digital literacy guidebook was created under a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and is designed for state libraries to use in exploring potential state-level investments and partnerships that advance digital literacy.
The internet is important to everyone
Publish Date: News / 18 September 2013
The Internet Is Important To Everyone aims to bring attention to the impact broadband has on our lives, our health, our government, our jobs, and our education while considering who among us does not use the internet and who does not have home broadb...
Digital inclusion infographic released
Publish Date: News / 18 September 2013
In response to lessons learned, we have created the infographic: "The Internet Is Important To Everyone". This infographic aims to bring attention to the impact broadband has on our lives, our health, our government, our jobs, and our educa...
Why you need a technology planning team
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
Thinking about assigning the responsibility of writing a technology plan to one person? or maybe taking it on yourself? Read some suggestions and the benefits of creating a team for the process instead.
Total Cost of Ownership for new computers
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
When your library is in the market to purchase new computers, be sure to consider the total cost of ownership and not just the sticker price on the computer.
Technology lending policies and procedures: Samples from libraries
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
Examples of library policies for lending technology.
Sample technology budget for a small library
Publish Date: Document / 21 March 2012
This Excel spreadsheet from NPower can serve as a template for a technology budget for a small library. The spreadsheet uses eight staff as an example, but is appropriate for a library with approximately 1-20 staff members.
