Technology Plan

NORTH BEND PUBLIC LIBRARY
110 E. 13th St.
North Bend, NE 68649
402-652-8356

TECHNOLOGY PLAN
Revised and Approved by the
North Bend Public Library Board
September 2, 2014

LIBRARY MISSION STATEMENT

The North Bend Public Library strives to provide educational, cultural, recreational and informative material to community residents of all ages. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating young children’s interest and appreciation for reading and learning. The library strives to be an active center of services for research and study and a comfortable place for leisure reading and browsing.

THE NORTH BEND PUBLIC LIBRARY

The North Bend Public Library was dedicated June 23, 2012. The library resides in the town of North Bend, NE. North Bend is a moderate community of just over 1,200 people. It is on the south boarder of Dodge County along the Platte River Basin. The library serves a large rural area covering parts of Dodge County, Saunders County and also reaching into Colfax County. It serves a Class C1 school district. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 population estimate for North Bend was 1,177. The population of Dodge County was 36,691 in the 2010 census year. The library employs three part time staff members, and three additional substitute librarians.

THE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

List of individuals on your planning team, including community representatives. Include each person’s organization/business affiliation.

Amy Reznicek, Director, Jan Vopalensky and Judy Kloepfer, Assistant Librarians; Betty Marxsen, Dan Watts, Bernard Larson, Robert Hines, and Amanda Vyhlidal, Library Board members. Jeremy Barton, technology specialist, Paragon Computer Solutions.

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY

What current technology exists in other entities within your community such as the school or city offices? For example, are there computer labs available in the community? Do the city offices have access to Internet? Do local businesses have access to the Internet?

The local school district has multiple computer labs with Internet access, iPad’s for student use, multiple laptop carts and a secured Wi-Fi network for student use. All but one of the school’s labs and computers are Mac’s. The local high school also has a Distance Learning program. Many local businesses, including the North Bend City offices have wireless, DSL, or dial-up Internet access. The local library is the only entity in the city that offers free technology services for private use to the general public.

FUTURE GOALS

List and describe in the immediate paragraph below the basic goals for the use of the discounted services that the library will be receiving through the Universal Service Fund (E-rate) and how these goals will be implemented. These goals have to address services relating to the types of technology that the library is applying for through the E-rate program. Please also include other forms of technology that the library hopes to maintain, improve, and/or add that are not associated with E-rate.
These goals should cover the use of technology, continuing education, equipment needs/improvements, maintenance plus others. Use sections a-d to provide more details to questions such as: Will the library be able to upgrade to a different type of Internet service? Can another phone line be added? Who will assist with these technological changes?

It is the goal of the North Bend Public Library to provide the community with quality lines of communication. The Library’s goal of maintaining fast, reliable, timely access to the Internet is made possible only with the help of E-rate discounts. The library receives E-rate discounts for the local and long distance telephone service and for DSL Internet access. The local and long distance telecommunications line that the library receives e-rate discounts on is necessary for providing many basic library services. The library has a single telephone line, which is used to perform essential business dealings on a daily basis, including sending and receiving faxes. The telephone line is a basic communications link to the library that also benefits the patrons. They may call the library to request or renew materials, ask reference questions, check on computer and Internet availability, place local calls, or also send and receive faxes.
The North Bend Public Library also receives e-rate discounts on the DSL Internet service that is available. There are two internet accessible computers reserved for staff use, with nine stations available for public use, one of which is handicap accessible. In addition, the library has four laptops that can access the internet wirelessly. There are two additional internet accessed computers. One is for the card catalog and one is a self-service patron check out station. Our current circulation software is off-site server hosted so these two computers need to remain open to allow access to our card catalog and patron accounts.
The staff uses the Internet daily, fulfilling many needs, including book and material ordering, research, ILL requests & renewals, and correspondence with other libraries, the Library Commission, the Eastern Library System office, and patrons. As mentioned above, our circulation software is internet based, off-site server hosted. We would not be able to use this program without internet access.
The public Internet workstations are very busy. Patrons may do research, check emails, apply for jobs, apply for disability and workers compensation and stay current with world events and issues, as well as other Internet related activities. The Internet access also allows us to have and maintain a Facebook page and web site where patrons may access the site for Library information, highlights of upcoming or past events, and view the new arrivals on the shelves.
The North Bend Public Library has three wireless modem and four laptop computers. The wireless modems give members of the community the ability to bring in their own personal computers and obtain internet access while in the library.
One of our main goals is to continue to provide access to services that are unavailable anywhere else in the community. Not only do we provide internet service, but we also provide printing and faxing services and scan to e-mail service. Scan to e-mail is free of charge; however we have a fee of .25 per page for the fax service. Students needing to print for school projects are not charged a fee for the first three pages.

a. As part of your goals that relate to technology planning, do you anticipate adding any new and/or updated technology for your library within the next three years?

Please note which technology.

Wiring? ________________ More telephone lines? ___________

Computers? ___________ Printers? ___________

Internet? _______________ Router? ____________

Server? _______________ Hub? ______________

Other? ______________________

b. If you are adding any new type or form of technology (e.g. telephone lines, hardware, software, and upgrade in Internet service) explain why the library is adding this technology and how it would benefit the community?

Our building is was built in 2012 and all of the computers and technology within it were new when it was built, we do not see the need to increase or replace within the next two years, but do have a budget and goals in mind to make sure that our technology stays current and is replaced on a rotating basis.

c. For each type of technology, explain who would be responsible for installation? Please include the individual’s organization/business affiliation.

If problems arise with our on-site computers, Jeremy Barton or another representative of Paragon Computer Solutions will help through correspondence and remote accessing our system. If need be, they will come on-site.

d. For each type of new and/or improved technology, explain who would be responsible for maintenance and/or technical support of the hardware, software or access? Please include the individual’s organization/business affiliation.

Jeremy Barton or another representative of Paragon Computer Solutions will help through correspondence and remote accessing our system. If need be, they will come on-site. The Internet Provider, Great Plains Communications, has technical support personnel to help with Internet issues. Our circulation software provider, Apollo, also offers technical support both through phone and through remote access capabilities.

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

What kinds of continuing education opportunities/workshops are available to you locally and/or the region to assist the staff with continued improvement of current library service through the use of technology (Telephone, Internet, and any other forms of technology that the library is applying for through e-rate)? Please name examples of specific classes or workshops that would be available to attend. Where would staff and/or volunteers go to receive this continuing education? What other types of resources would be helpful (i.e. print)? Would staff and/or volunteers attend training through the regional library system, or Nebraska Library Commission or local community college?

The North Bend Public Library is very fortunate to have many possibilities for continuing education within a close range. Central Community College – Platte Campus, Columbus, Nebraska is with in 30 miles of the library. Metro Community College offers classes in Fremont, Nebraska, approximately 15 miles from the North Bend. They also offer classes at the Elkhorn site, approximately 40 miles from North Bend.

Other training opportunities that are available to staff at the library include on-site Apollo Software Training and Teleconferences through the Nebraska Library Commission, such as Tech-Talk. The Nebraska Library Commission also offers ongoing training through Technology Camps, Basic Skills courses and e-reader training. The Eastern Library System offers specialty workshops regularly. Online courses are regularly available. Websites are available such as techsoup.org. We also host a “tech night” here at the library that includes Jeremy Barton and staff holding hour-long tech talks and training individuals and/or groups on various new aspects of technology.

1. What kinds of additional continuing education would be needed to make any new and/or improved technology most beneficial to your community? What specific types of workshops and/or classes would staff and/or volunteers need to attend? Where are these workshops and/or classes available?

Ongoing training is always needed to keep up-to-date with trends in technology. Workshops and classes are available at the colleges listed above and on-line through the Nebraska Library Commission and the Eastern Library System. Classes on e-readers are especially helpful to assist our patrons with the numerous devices they bring in. Participation in tech talk through the NLC is a good way to stay in touch with the current trends in technology.

2. Who would be responsible for training local library staff and library customers in the use of the new and/or improved technology? How would the training be offered? What training would be offered? If you don’t anticipate adding any new technology you can go to the Budget section

Jeremy Barton of Paragon Computers provides staff training on an as-needed basis. The entire staff will then be responsible for training patrons and answering any questions related to technology. On a daily basis the staff of the North Bend Library train patrons on a one-on-one basis, however when new databases or “tech toys” become available, we offer special classes to the public to educate them.

BUDGET

The library must include a sufficient budget to acquire and pay for the non-discounted services of your applied e-rate services. Describe how the library is paying for all the technology needs including the library’s non-discounted portion of the e-rate discounts that the library has and or will apply for in the future. Is there a line item in the budget designated for the remaining non-discounted costs? For example, if the library receives a 60% discount on telephone and Internet, how does the library pay for the remaining 40% of the cost? If so, what is it? How does the library budget for other technology-related costs, which might include tech support and upgrades? It might be helpful to include a copy of the library’s budget to show the local financial commitment in this area.

The North Bend Public Library supports technology through special line items in the annual budget. Separate line items are included for the telephone, equipment, and Internet and support agreements. The non-discounted 40% cost of the telephone and Internet charges are paid for by these line items of the budget. The North Bend Public Library also actively seeks additional funding to develop and sustain state-of-the-art technology for the library by applying for technology grants and E-rate discounts, also by seeking donations from individuals, local groups, and the Library Foundation.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT/MAINTENANCE

Who in your community and/or surrounding region has the technology expertise to connect current hardware, load software and troubleshoot when problems occur? Who is responsible for helping the library when the Internet is down? Please be specific with name of individual and their affiliation.

Technical support contracts are purchased with Apollo software for circulation software issues. The Internet Provider, Great Plains Communications, has technical support personnel to help with Internet issues. For networking, or when more aggressive issues arise, Jeremy Barton of Paragon Computers is available. In addition, Jim Cody, the head of the technology department for the North Bend Public School District, also has the expertise to connect hardware, load software and troubleshoot as needed if the above options are unavailable.

EVALUATION

What kind of process does the library use to evaluate this technology plan which includes monitoring the progress toward the specific goals and strategies to help support your discount services through the e-rate program? How often does the library re-evaluate the technology plan? How is it reviewed? This process should also note how the library addresses any corrections and/or adjustments to the original goals of service. What information does the library use to assist with this evaluation? For example, does the library provide surveys to customers about specific technological services? Does the technology planning committee meet on a regular basis? Please note: The plan must be reviewed at least once a year.

The Technology Committee will continually evaluate and investigate the present and future needs and invite public comments and suggestions. The library staff meets bi-monthly to discuss computer usage, address problems and do training updates.
The use of technology will be measured through data gathered in terms of patron visits, computer use, resources used, and new patron’s served. The most important evaluation will be that of library users and members of the broader community. Through analysis of circulation and usage statistics, the effects of technology on the library services will be determined.
The Technology Plan will be evaluated on an ongoing basis however, each June, the Technology Committee will evaluate and revise this plan as needed.

CURRENT TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT/INVENTORY

Number of telephone lines in the library: One

Monthly cost of telephone service: $52.00

Name of telephone service provider: Great Plains Communications

Fax Number: 402-652-8356

Does the phone/fax/Internet share the same line: No, only phone/fax

Do you have Internet in your library? Yes

Who is your Internet provider: Great Plains Communications

How does the library access the Internet (through dial-up, DSL, or through another type of technology)? Please note the type of access. Also include the speed of access.

The North Bend Library Internet access is through a DSL line. The speed of the signal is up to 10 Mbps. The local telecommunications company provides the DSL connection. In compliance with CIPA, we utilize the Barracuda web filter on all computers.

What is the cost of Internet service per month: $78.24

Other wiring presently in the library for purposes of Internet: None

Provide details of all the equipment that is technology-related at your library. These details should include the make/model and other specifications. You should have enough details written down so that this list could assist you with not only assessing the type of technology that is currently available at the library but for any insurance-related needs. Locally, how will the library use this inventory assessment for purposes of technology planning pertaining to e-rate? How will it be used to assess your other technology needs for the library?

The list below was prepared for the insurance carrier. This list is revised and updated as the technology within the library changes. This list is a tool that the Technology Committee relies on for update information on the stasis of technology within the library. At a glance it is easy to see the age and specifications of each type of technology so that it may be evaluated for efficiency and need.

12 Dell 2012 Optiplex 390 Desk Top Computer, (9215 WR-1) with widows 7 and 22” flat screen monitor

1 Dell 2009 Power Edge T410 windows 2000 Server (1F7LWR-1) with Gates 15” flat screen monitor

1 Hp 2008 Inspiron 1525 Lap Top computer (PL29L) with Windows Vista & 17” screen, webcam and dvd burner.

3 Dell 2012 Pro Book 4530 Lap Top computers (CNU2031465) (CNU2031471) and (CNU20304LK) with Windows 7 & 17” screen

2 AWE 2012 Desk top Computers with Kids Function software with 22” Flat screen monitor

1 AWE 2013 Desk top Computer with Software and 22” Flat screen monitor

Hewlett-Packard 2012 model 6200 Desk top computer (2UA203060L) with handicapped software with Windows 7 & 22” flat screen monitor

Hewlett-Packard 2012 model N6310 Scan jet printer (CN195DF097)

Hewlett-Packard 2012 office jet 6000 Color Printer with wireless modem (MY03M261D4)
2 Epson TM-T70 Thermal Printers

2 Quick Scan Hand Held Bar Code Scanners

1 Datalogic QuickScan Bar Code Scanner

Librarica Cassie Integrated Control Software with Cassie System 8 pac license

Sharp 2012 model MXB 402 multi-function Copier, Fax and scanner

Minolta 2001 model RO603Z Microfilm Machine

Library Director Signature ____________________________________
Date ______ (mm/dd/yyyy)

Revised 9/2/14

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