Technology Planning 101

Technology Planning 101
NLA/NEMA Annual Conference
October 14, 2010
Christa Burns
Nebraska Library Commission
christa.burns@nebraska.gov

What a Technology Plan is…
A plan
A demonstration
A lens with which to focus
A prioritizing agent
A budgeting tool
An aligner with other institutional goals
A training schedule
A fund-raising tool

What it is not…
A list of technology that the library wants and on what time frame it wants it.

Your plan should be SMART
Specific
Measureable
Aggressive & Attainable
Results-oriented
Time-bound

Why?
Give the library direction
Show the library is forward-thinking
Help minimize technology-related crises
Use staff time efficiently
Avoid wasting money on equipment
Help you think through your priorities in order to use technology in a way that directly furthers your mission

What makes a good plan?
Concise
Specific
Integrated
Foreseeable
Flexible

And what doesn’t?
Tech for tech’s sake
Doesn’t connect the tech to the mission of the library
Doesn’t explain why the tech is needed
Poorly organized
Techno-babble
Leaves stuff out

The players
Board
Director
Department heads
Staff
Public?

The Resources
Direct:
Current strategic and/or long-range plan
Library mission and/or vision statement
Current and/or previous technology plans
Indirect:
All of the above for parent institution
Library journals, magazines, and blogs

The Structure
Executive summary
Library description
Library challenges
Current technology environment
Emerging technologies
Web site evaluation
Recommendations

Executive Summary
1-2 page narrative summary of the plan

Library Description
Introduction
Purpose of the plan
Library history
Physical description
Mission statement
Community served
Staffing
Budget
Collection size & annual growth
Services offered
Use of the library
Current technology
Visuals never hurt!

Library Challenges
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

Current Technology
Hardware
Patron computers, Staff computers, networking equipment, peripherals
Software
OSes, Patrons, Staff

How to pick new tech
Think about “competencies”What do you think your staff needs to know to move your library into the future?

Emerging Technologies
Audio/Video
Wireless
Mobile
RFID
Social Media
Photo printing

Web Site Analysis
Follows current design practices?
Platform?
Static, CMS
Accessible?
Social?
Mobile?

Recommendations
Priorities
Description of relevant categories
Listing of the specific recommendations
Type (new software, application, hardware)
Cost (including interdependencies)
Benefits
Recommended timeline
Assessment/results/training needed

Suggested phrasing
“In the next [time frame], the library will [action or recommendation], which will result in [associated benefits].”

http://webjunction.techatlas.org/
Inventory Tool
Event Tracker
Planning Tool

More Resources
Matthews, Joseph R., Technology Planning: Preparing and Updating a Library Technology Plan: Libraries Unlimited, 2005.
TechSoup for Libraries: http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/
WebJunction – Technology Planning:http://www.webjunction.org/techplan
NLC Technology Planning Worksheet: http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/libdev/erate/ worksheet.html

Technology Planning 101

by Christa Burns

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