Developing a Library Technology Plan, Part 3

Installment 3 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.

Suggested Outline for the Technology Plan

It is possible to create a technology plan that serves three important purposes: promotes good technology management practices, can be used for E-Rate applications, and can be used for fundraising by showing how technology activities and costs are a necessary byproduct of fulfillling the library's service goals.

The template for such a technology plan includes the following sections:

• Introduction
• Library Mission
• Technology Strategy
• [Accomplishments from Previous Plan]
• Technology Overview and Assessment
• Professional Development Strategy
• Supporting the Strategic Plan
• Budget
• Review and Updates
• Conclusion

The Introduction provides the context for the library technology plan and includes information about the process used to develop it. It provides any necessary background information about the current year.

The Library Mission is simply a restatement of the library's mission statement.

The Technology Strategy is a short statement about the relationship between the library's mission and the technology plan. It should explain how the library intends to utilize technology to further its mission.

Accomplishments from the Previous Plan is a section that only becomes relevant in year two after the library has created a technology plan, implemented it, and comes back to review it the following year. Each time the technology plan is revised, a summary of what was accomplished in the previous period should be reported in the subsequent plan. This isn't the place to explain why objectives were not met: those should be included in the Introduction. This section is a summary of what did get done as planned.

Technology Overview and Assessment is a summary of the telecommunications equipment, servers, computers, printers, self-check machines, sorting systems, and all other technology currently in use at the library (and all branches). It describes important policies that affect technology and includes plans for significant upgrades, replacements, and migrations expected over the next three years.

Professional Development Strategy is where the plans for maintaining a workforce capable of supporting the library's technology plan are explained. This will include details about core competencies established for all library workers as well as training activities planned for staff to achieve the target competencies and to ensure that library technology can be properly supported by staff.

Supporting the Strategic Plan is where the library's service goals are explicitly tied to technology expenditures and activities. New projects, upgrades, migrations, training initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and standard maintenance activities are all tied to library service goals in this section.

The Budget section is a high level view of technology estimated expenditures. It is not an item by item accounting. Generally, planned expenses are separated out into less than 10 categories.

The Review and Updates section includes a description of how often the technology plan will be reviewed and who will be involved in the process.

The Conclusion is an opportunity to mention the library's recent achievements and emphasize the goals for the coming year.