Benchmarks for Technology Services (Ryan)
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An unprecedented national coalition has formed to design and pilot a series of public access technology benchmarks for public libraries, with $2.8 million in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The coalition—which represents library and local government leaders—will develop guidelines that define quality technology services at libraries and how to continuously improve them to motivate local re-investment in public technology access at libraries.
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Benchmarks for Technology Services (Ryan)
- 1. An Introduction to: The Public Access Technology Benchmarks Initiative
- 2. Mary Jo Ryan Communications Coordinator Nebraska Library Commission
- 3. Public Access Technology Benchmarks Initiative Why Public Technology Access Benchmarks Are Needed Now: To help libraries and communities assess quality To provide guidance on how libraries can improve services To help demonstrate what support libraries need to maintain quality technology services for communities
- 5. Set goals for continuous improvement.
- 6. Demonstrate the value of public access technology to people and communities
- 7. Motivate the ongoing investment(local $$...Gates $$, etc.)
- 9. Voluntary…...so must be relevant to libraries of all sizes
- 10. Help all libraries recognize their achievements
- 11. Provide a path for continuous improvement
- 12. Evolve to meet changing needs
- 13. Focus on the actual uses of technology:
- 14. Education
- 17. Help all libraries communicate their strengths and needs
- 18. Gates funding (and possibly other funding) is likely to be tied to benchmarks in the future.
- 19. Gathering input through March 2012
Editor's Notes
- (INTRO SLIDE with program title and visual image)Greeting – Good morning, good afternoon, etc.This is the Public Access Technology Benchmarks Initiative, a new initiative that has the potential to transform the way that public access technology is delivered and sustained in public libraries.This initiative will create national guidelines that can be used as a tool by libraries - large and small - to assess the quality of computer and internet services and demonstrate their value to local leaders. The Benchmarks Initiative was launched this spring by a national coalition of organizations that support public libraries, with support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- How will Benchmarks be used to support the continued growth of public access Technology(SLIDE) Clearly, the public depends on Nebraska libraries for access to technology. To meet demand and maintain this vital service, technology access at libraries must be continuously improved. For many libraries, this is a struggle. For example, According to research conducted by ALA’s Office of Information & Technology Policy, 45 percent of all libraries say their current Internet connection speed is insufficient to meet patron demand some or all of the time. AND, as local leaders grapple with reduced budgets, they need to understand why investments in public access technology are critical to support citizens and achieve community goals. NEXT
- These are the reasons we are creating the Benchmarks. The Goal of the Initiative is to Create and foster the widespread adoption of public access technology benchmarks that the library field and local leaders can use to:Assess the quality of public access technology services and set goals for continuous improvement. Demonstrate the value of public access technology to people and communities in order to motivate the ongoing investment needed to maintain the quality services.
- The Benchmarks will be aspirational: they will set a high standard for quality, be motivational and encourage excellence.Use of the Benchmarks will be voluntary.The Benchmarks will help all libraries – regardless of size - recognize their achievements and also provide a path for continuous improvement The Benchmarks will evolve to reflect emerging technologies, behaviors, opportunities and standards of library practice.And, finally:Use of the Benchmarks will provide clear value for library and local leaders.NEXT