St. Charles Public Library District Technology Plan 2000-2003

Vision

This Technology Plan is an effort to plan for the effective and efficient use of resources to meet the automation and telephone needs of the users and staff of the St. Charles Public Library District for the foreseeable future. This plan is in support of Library goals and objectives detailed in the Library’s Strategic Plan.

Technology Needs Assessment

The Library’s automation program is in support of the Library’s mission:

The St. Charles Public Library is a place for all residents and taxpayers of the Library District that is dedicated to open and equal access to information; independent learning; the joys of reading; the building of a sense of community; and the promotion of cultural awareness.

Specific goals and objectives are detailed below in the fiscal years for which they are planned.

Technology Assessment/Inventory

The Library currently has in place a Windows 2000 LAN with Windows 95 and Windows 2000 workstations attached. Features available to the staff include Microsoft Office applications, catalog access, access to CD ROM information products, Internet access using Netscape or Internet Explorer, dial out service via a communications server and access to the Library’s DRA catalog. Patrons have access to the Library’s catalog (including IAC’s Magazine Index and Business Index) and to the CD ROM products.

The Automation Coordinator carries out maintenance of the LAN. Hardware and software maintenance of the Library’s DRA catalog is managed by LINC, a consortium of local public libraries.

There are security measures in place on the network. They include: virus scanning of all workstations and servers, off site storage of backup tapes and strategic placement of sensitive workstations to allow for staff oversight.

As of March 2001 there is a plan to replace all remaining Compaq PCs running Windows 95 with Dell PCs running Windows 2000. The replacement will take place in two phases in July and August 2001. Once all public and staff workstations are identical in terms of hardware and operating system, imaging will be used to set up new workstations and to resolve troublesome software issues, reducing the workstation support burden. All workstations will be replaced every three to four years to allow for hardware and operating system consistency across the network. Printers will be replaced as need be. Wherever possible, networked work-group printers will replace individual printers and those “shared” over the network. Software will be replaced as needed for expanding needs, requirements and capabilities. These changes will not only meet technology needs but will also allow significant savings of time and resources spent troubleshooting and resolving problems.

In replacing hardware a projected figure of the most recent cost of the same item plus 5% will be used.

Since equipment is only useful if staff are able to use it, there will be funds budgeted for training each fiscal year. Additional funds will be budgeted when a major software upgrade is contemplated.

Currently, LINC is funded by income from “ports” which are essentially nodes on the network that can access DRA. We currently have 40 “ports.” Additional ports for public access will be added at a rate of 4 OPACs for each circulation workstation. An additional workstation will be added when circulation for the previous fiscal year increases by 125,000. Other staff access points will be added as necessary.

Public workstations dedicated to CD ROMs will no longer be needed as vendors are increasingly turning to the Internet as a delivery medium. Products still running on the CD ROM tower will be copied to the file server if possible, with a view to phasing out the tower altogether by the end of 2002.

Hardware

1 Dell PowerEdge 4400 file server running Windows 2000 server; with tape backup

1 Compaq Proliant ML 350 file server running Windows 2000 server and microsoft Exchange 5.0; with tape backup

1 CD ROM server with 2 additional towers

61 Pentium and 486 PCs

2 dumb DRA terminals

18 laser printers

16 dot matrix printers

Software

Windows 2000 Server

Windows 95 on most existing clients

Windows 2000 Professional is currently on some public and staff machines (all new machines purchased this year will have Windows 2000).

Norton Anti Virus Corporate Edition version 7.5 antiviral software

WinU version 5.2A

Fortress 101

Softrack Metering software

CD-Net

MS Exchange

Microsoft Office

PageMaker

Illustrator

Photoshop

Smarterm

OCLC

Dewey for Windows

Bound to Stay Bound

Functions of Workstations

9 Adult OPACs

4 YS OPACs

3 ADULT Electronic Resource workstations

5 Adult Internet workstations

2 YS Internet workstations

2 YS Electronic Resource workstations

Library’s Plans to Address Technology Needs

The Library has set forth below specific plans to meet the technology needs of the community. Each fiscal year is set forth separately for planning purposes.

Goals for Meeting Future Technology Needs

• Specific Strategies/Action Steps
• Needed Hardware, Software, Building Renovation, Policies & Procedures
• Timetable

Fiscal Year 2000-2001

• DRA Web2 will be fully implemented at all OPACs this year and an additional self-check station will be added in Youth Services.
• Replacement of older workstations will continue. This must be a continuous cycle as demands for processing speed and RAM continue to increase with new versions of software.
• This year will see the introduction of a public Technology Center. The Center, a result of the Library’s strategic planning process, will provide public access to equipment for a variety of purposes and will provide an area for public and staff training.

Fiscal Year 2001-2002

• The Technology Center will be expanded with an emphasis on Internet access and training. If demand exists, scanners and other peripheral equipment will be added.
• Planning for redesign of the Library website has commenced. Some of the goals are to expand the range of features and functions available to patrons and visitors.
• Software will be replaced as changing features and compatibility with other software and hardware require.
• Replacement of older workstations will be completed this year. Subsequently all workstations will be replaced at once, every 3-4 years as noted above.
• Implement off-site access to the catalog and library databases.
• Expand DRA ports as needed.
• The Library will continue to investigate and evaluate filtering software and other options to bring it into compliance with CIPA legislation for the purpose of E-Rate filings. No satisfactory solutions have been identified so far.

Fiscal Year 2002-2003

• Development and expansion of the Technology Center will continue.
• Hardware and software upgrades will continue.
• Expand DRA ports by two.

Training

A primary objective of the Library’s Staff Development Policy is to provide a qualified staff to support Library goals. Training on Library automation is a crucial component. As part of the staff development program, automation training will be included in each year’s budget as needed. Training will focus on topics such as: the Internet, the LAN generally, Windows 95 and subsequent upgrades, and new applications as implemented.

Budget

The Library has several means of financing different automation expenses. LINC related expenses are primarily funded by a .02% levy. Ongoing LAN expenses and other expenses such as upgrades, additional workstations, etc. are funded by an automation line item in the corporate fund as budgeted annually. The Library also has a special reserve fund from which extensive expenses for automation could be paid if appropriated.

Potential Partners

LINC is an ongoing partner in the automation program. All OPAC, circulation and cataloging automation services are provided in partnership with LINC.

St. Charles School District #303 is also a potential partner in automation. Dial-in access to the Library’s catalog and CD ROM databases is available in schools, and the Library Director serves on the District 303 Citizens’ Technology Advisory Committee.

The City and Park District have joined with the Library in developing a community home page on the World Wide Web. The page will feature a community calendar and provide links to churches and other local organizations and agencies.

Anticipated Outcomes

The Library hopes to realize the goal of meeting the community’s information needs through the use of appropriate technology. The steps to be taken in each fiscal year have been designed to meet this goal.

Evaluation

The St. Charles Public Library District will review the technology plan annually to ascertain whether or not goals, strategies, and action steps are being addressed appropriately and that the evolving needs of the Library and community are being met. The technology plan will be revised as needed to meet the technology vision.

Adopted: 2/12/97
Revised: 5/1/99
Revised: 3/02