Developing a Library Technology Plan, Part 1

I've been developing a lot of material for online courses lately and haven't had a chance to post to this blog. So, I thought I might capitalize on my efforts and rework some of the material for this venue. This is installment one from my four week course on Developing a Library Technology Plan. The course is going to be offered again starting in July 10, 2007. If you are interested in attending, go to this Infopeople page.

What is a Library Technology Plan
A library technology plan is a document that describes the library's use of technology, the strategy used by the library to make decisions about what technology to use and support, related activities planned for the next three years, and a budget. The technology plan also helps ensure that all aspects of the library technology infrastructure are properly supported.

Technology is defined as the hardware and software associated with the library's use of information technology such as servers, computers, printers, the wide area network (WAN), any local area networks (LANs), operating systems and application software. It also includes any telecommunications hardware such as phones, phone lines, T1 lines and associated circuits.

Technology plans generally include plans for technology activities in the coming three years. Technology activities are defined as the ongoing work of maintaining the existing infrastructure as well as projects that arise to implement new technology or introduce a new service. A three year view allows the technology plan to keep track of long term plans and plan for trends that are developing. The technology planners may not be able to respond to a new trend in the current year but by placing it in the plan for two or three years down the line, they are able to keep track of it and plan accordingly.

The technology plan brings all the maintenance and project activities together and helps managers and administrators make well-informed decisions. It incorporates all the projects and ongoing support for the library infrastructure that will require library resources and ensures that the library has set aside the necessary amount of money to accomplish them, has the expertise lined up to accomplish them and that the priorities are in line with the service goals of the library.

The technology plan should be reviewed annually to make sure it accounts for expected and unexpected changes. Each year certain technologies will need to be retired and new technologies will need to be introduced and sometimes changes come more quickly than expected. An annual review will ensure that the plan is modified as needed to account for internal library changes, new technology initiatives, and any other unexpected changes about the way technology is used in the library.