with Frances Stocker, Kestrel Information Services and Elise Cole, Oakville PL
(slides will be on SC2011 Web site...add a link!)
An entirely new section on the use of technology has been developed for the latest edition of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines. This session introduces the technology guidelines, and answers questions about implementation.
What I am curious to know about...
benchmarks for # of opacs/kiosks
is it just about “hard” technology (ie equipment), or also “soft” in terms of training and access to certain types of technology
Elise is vice chair of the Ontario Public Library Giudelines Council
History of the Guidelines:
evolved from 1990 “One Place to Look” Ontario Public Libs strat plan...Strategic Directions Council (SDC) created
“A Call to Action” 1996
5th edition of Terms of Ref / comprehensive IT guidelines released in Nov 2010
(find the guildelines online and link to them!)
Accreditation: allows libs to match themselves against standard guidelines
6th edition planned for SC2012
Benefits of accreditation: demonstrates effective use of public funds; positive impact on library's profile in the community; Library meets provincial norms
over 30 Ontario publicl ibs are accredited
Goals of the Project...for lib systems:
provide measurable benchmarks
focus on tools not content
reflect current lib tech trends and the general technology environment
addresses known technoloy-related concerns
provide a process for achieving/maintaining vialbe and sustainable service
The committee did a lot of research in order to determine the benchmarks / guidelines...to establish what was appropriate....questions:
current levels of tech. Use in Ontario pub libs
current and future developments in library tech
reasonable level of use for libs to attain
other changes affecting lib development in general
major concerns of library systems
Looked at tech. Standards in other juisdictions (all around the English speaking world).
Resaerch findings:
(if that link does not work, will be on conf Web site)
survey results...gives a good overview
Issues:
Ils development
connectivity/boradband
WiFi
Website development and remote access to services
equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
provision in branches
social media
digitization
use of eLearning tools (for both staff training and user education)
Some of the findings...
Connectivity:
broadband patchy outside urban areas
expectations are high
ILSes: leading systems/trailing systems/consortia and partnerships
Support for technology and skilled staff:
major area of concern
case-making for library technology needs
Social media:
low priority for many libs
positive approach where need perceived and/or staff interest
core service? (I say YES!!!!)
Tech trends:
Web 3.0 / symantic web
open source software
dynamic content
rfid
consumer techology and expectations
mobile technology
ebooks
eLearning and blended learning
technology use in the work place (cloud etc.)
pace of change and its impact on setting guidelines
Form and format of the guidelines:
maintain format of exisiting guidelines
mandatory guidelines
measurable/visible
achievable understandable by libraries and trustees
meet the goals of OPLG
reviewed by library community
essential elements include:
web site
ils
opac
email
public internet computers/access
stable networks
user eduacation
workplace software + training
tech support
collaborations and partnerships
Fifth edition:
new Section 7: Use of Technology
major revisions to Section 2: Accessibility
check it out!!!
Examples of guidelines:
internet connectivity: mandatory
integrated library system: has one, with at least a cataloguing and circ module (could be consoritum)...and...(not mandatory, but recommended): ILS has a range of modules and add-ons to make lib more efficient and add convenience for patrons (eg: automatic notification of holds)
workstations and peripherals: the lib has defined the adequate number of networked workstations and peripherals for public use (so what is that number?!...local variation...)
(and by “workstation” do you mean public access to internet, or “kiosk”?...sounds like public internet station...ask: up to the library to decide what their patrons need, so both)
additional computer requirements: lib has established its approach to assessing its need for new or specialized compuer devices, and has protocols in its tech plan for including such needs...so...how will we decide to buy ebook readers, and ipads!...should we have a broad policy about “staff needs to play with stuff that the public is going to have?”....have been sort of doing it on the fly / professional judgement...intersting...think about this
WiFi: a good thing if you can get it
Web site: mandatory (check!)...designed according to a clear plan / adheres to standards; criteria for updating established (check!)
tech support: needs to meet your needs
tech-related cooperation: provincial issue...around encouraging partnerships / building on the strength of provincial network of publiclibraries...to deliver tech services / training / increase lib efficiency
In conclusion:
back to the goals...
focus on tools not content
My thoughts: I need to take a look at the guidelines (even though we decided not to do accreditation this year), and see if we need to do any work...good assessment tool.
5th Edition of guidlines is available on the FOPL Web site (FOPL is the parent body of this bunch / the standards)... www.fopl.ca
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