Jackson-George Regional Library System
3214 Pascagoula Street
Pascagoula, MS 39567
TECHNOLOGY PLAN
FY2006 – FY2008 (07/01/05 through 06/30/08)
Prepared by
JGRLS TECHNOLOGY PLANNING COMMITTEE
Robert D. Willits, Library Director
Max Johnson, Assistant Director
Mitch Hadanek, Technologies Manager
Cindy Winters, Administrative Assistant
October 20, 2004
Jackson-George Regional Library System
3214 Pascagoula Street
Pascagoula, MS 39567
TECHNOLOGY PLAN
FY2006 – FY2008 (07/01/05 through 06/30/08)
I. INTRODUCTION
This document covers the period FY2006 through FY2008 and contains the Jackson-George Regional Library System’s fourth revised Technology Plan. This Plan includes all technologies the Library System uses in its total operations to provide public library services and respond to the roles of “Popular Materials Library” and “People’s University.” The Technology Plan is under continuous review and is revised to adapt to changing technologies and other opportunities. The JGRLS Board of Trustees approved the “Technology Plan FY2006-FY2008” on October 26, 2004.
JGRLS operates under the laws of the State of Mississippi and is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees. Administrative offices are located at:
Jackson-George Regional Library System
Administrative Services
3214 Pascagoula Street
Pascagoula, MS 39567
The Regional Library System is comprised of eight public library branches, including:
East Central Library Ocean Springs Municipal Library
21801 Slider Road 525 Dewey Avenue
Moss Point, MS 39562 Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Gautier Public Library Pascagoula Public Library
2100 Library Lane 3214 Pascagoula Street
Gautier, MS 39553 Pascagoula, MS 39567
Moss Point City Library St. Martin Public Library
4119 Bellview Street 15004 LeMoyne Blvd.
Moss Point, MS 39563 Biloxi, MS 39532
Lucedale-George County Public Library Vancleave Public Library
507 Oak Street 12504 Highway 57
Lucedale, MS 39452 Vancleave, MS 39565
The mission of the Jackson-George Regional Library System is to provide high quality and relevant customer-oriented library and information services, collections of resources and programming that serves to expand and enrich the lives of our citizens.
The primary role of JGRLS is to serve as a “Popular Materials Library” by providing current, high-demand, high-interest materials in a variety of formats for users of all ages. The secondary role is to serve as the “People’s University” by supporting customers in their formal education and independent learning endeavors throughout their lives.
The Technology Plan for the JGRLS includes all technologies that the Library uses in its total operations to provide exceptional public library services to its customers. The Plan supports the Mission Statement and Roles as described above. This Plan covers the period FY2006 through FY2008.
The Library System exceeded most of its technology goals and objectives outlined in previous technology plans. In those areas not met, the objectives were either subsequently rejected as unrealistic or more efficient and effective solutions to problems and challenges were identified and implemented.
Currently, the Library System is running eight (8) 100 Mb local area networks (LANs), one at each branch, interconnected by T-1 lines and configured into a fully meshed frame-relay wide area network (WAN). The WAN is divided into multiple domains and is connected to the backbone WAN provided by MISSIN.
During the current FY2002-FY2005 Technology Plan, the Library System has increased its PC client-server based network and currently consists of sixteen (16) Windows 2000 servers, two (2) Windows NT4 servers and two hundred and eleven (211) workstations.
In October of 2003, the Library System migrated from the antiquated SIRSI/INLEX automated library system to The Library Corporation’s Library.Solution automated library system. This state-of-the-art automated library system is Windows based and it includes countless enhancements over the previously used text based system.
All library facilities comprising the JGRLS have their own telephone systems. In FY1999, a Norstar telephone system with voice mail was installed in the Pascagoula facility for the public library and Regional administrative services. The voice lines for the Pascagoula facility are connected to the Jackson County Centrex telephone system and Jackson County pays for POTS as well as long distance bills.
All branches have one or more telefacsimile machines that are used to transfer reference and other hard copy information from point-to-point.
GOAL 1: To provide efficient and effective information services through the use of available technology and networks by expanding customer and staff access to the latest technology and to provide better access to information and to increase staff productivity.
Objective 1: To keep the library’s collections in shelf list order.
1: To implement the use of the two portable bar code scanners for inventory control in two branches.
2: To purchase six (6) portable bar code scanners for inventory control in the other six branches, by FY2006.
3: To implement an ongoing inventory control program in all branches, by FY2006.
Objective 2: To expand the current telephone system for the capability of additional direct telephone lines at Pascagoula Public Library and JGRLS Administration.
1: To add a second trunk module to support twelve new lines, by the end of FY2007.
2: To add three trunk cartridges to support four lines, by the end of FY2007.
Objective 3: To increase training capacity for the general public, JGRLS staff and municipal/county government employees.
1: To increase the computer lab instructional staff from 1.7 FTE in FY2005 to 2.0 FTE, by FY2007.
2: To increase the number of on-site training hours to a minimum of 60 hours per week, by FY2007.
3: To increase the number of training workstations in the branches that do not have dedicated computer training labs to a minimum of six (6) training workstations, by FY2008. 4:
4: To install computer drops in all library meeting rooms and boardrooms, by FY2007. 6: To expand the Pascagoula C.L.I.C. Lab from twelve to fourteen workstations, by FY2004.
Objective 4: To increase the Technologies Department capabilities and response time.
1: To increase Department personnel from two to three full-time employees by employing one additional full-time Technologies Assistant, by FY2008.
2: To hire a part-time Webmaster, by FY2006.
3: To study the feasibility of expanding out-sourcing for selected technology services, by FY2006.
Objective 5: To maintain all public access computer/Internet workstations with the most current software and hardware.
1: To research and purchase new, up-to-date software as needed, annually.
2: To upgrade computer workstation hardware as needed, annually.
3: To have wireless LAN capability to enhance availability of Internet access, by FY2007.
GOAL 2: To upgrade existing technologies that provide circulation, administration, acquisitions, cataloging and processing of library materials.
Objective 1: To keep pace with advancements in information technology, including hardware, software and networking.
1: To purchase parts and peripherals to upgrade currently owned workstations, annually.
2: To purchase upgrades for all software used in the library’s computers, annually.
3: To study the feasibility of installing fiber optic cabling at all library sites, by FY2007.
4: To implement an ongoing evaluation of TLC’s Library. Solution automated library system software, by FY2006.
5: To migrate from Bibliofile, the current bibliographic utility, to an OCLC web-based bibliographic utility, by FY2008.
GOAL 3: To reconfigure and upgrade the JGRLS computer network.
Objective 1: To upgrade the current computer network T-1 connections between the library branches and the current T-1 Internet connections.
1: To reconfigure current network layout from a fully meshed frame relay topology to a star topology, by FY2006.
2: To purchase all hardware necessary to add an additional T-1 line for Intranet network traffic, by FY2006.
3: To purchase all hardware necessary to add a two (2) channel DS3 line for Internet network traffic, by 2006.
Objective 2: To migrate Internet access from the MISSIN network to an Internet service provider.
1: To purchase all required necessary hardware, by FY2006.
2: To purchase all required necessary software, by FY2006.
3: To install and configure all hardware and software, by FY2006.
4: To upgrade hardware and software, annually.
Objective 3: To migrate from the MISSIN e-mail to a library operated and maintained e-mail system.
1: To purchase all required necessary hardware, by FY2006.
2: To purchase all required necessary software, by FY2006.
3: To install and configure all hardware and software, by FY2006.
4: To upgrade hardware and software, annually.
VI. BUDGET
The FY2006 technology expenditures is estimated at $396,237 including $7,200 for six inventory control scanners, $13,000 for Internet connectivity and $15,000 for a P/T Webmaster.
The FY2007 technology budget is estimated at $435,973 including $12,000 to increase the P/T salaried computer trainer to F/T salaried.
The FY2008 technology budget is estimated at $525,210, including $50,000 for a new F/T salaried Technologies Assistant position.
VII. EVALUATION REVIEW
The Technology Planning Committee consists of the Library Director, Assistant Director, Technologies Manager and the Administrative Assistant. The four member committee will conduct a semi-annual review of the Technology Plan to determine whether the objectives and achievement strategies have been met by the specified target date. Revisions of these objectives, achievement strategies and target dates will occur as needed.
VIII. STAFF, TRAINING AND SUPPORT
Technologies Department. A full-time Manager of Technologies Services and one full-time Technologies Assistant currently staff the department. The Manager of Technologies Services is responsible for: (1) managing the automated and networking hardware, software and contracted services that make up the Regional Library’s automated system, (2) troubleshooting all technological processes, (3) planning new technological services and expanding existing services, and (4) supervising all day-to-day aspects of Technologies Services, including maintenance of a comprehensive hardware and software inventory. The Technologies Assistant is under the direct supervision of the Manager of Technologies Services and assists the Manager in maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing all hardware and software in the computer network.
Computer Software Training. JGRLS employed a full-time computer trainer/coordinator in FY1999 and added a part-time trainer in FY2001. The trainers are responsible for instructing library staff and library customers in computer and Internet applications housed on the public access systems and staff equipment. Staff training in the Library System is an on-going process. In addition to library customers, the computer trainers’ conduct training programs for county and municipal employees, small business managers, employees and participants in various out-reach programs. Development and implementation of a training plan to monitor and upgrade employee skills in the areas of office, reference, Internet and library specific software is also a responsibility of the computer-training instructors. Training is now available in all branches. A total of 1,822 programs have been conducted since its inception in FY1999 with 9,693 participants.
IX. INFRASTRUCTURE
Current wiring and cabling at all eight library sites in JGRLS meet or exceed minimum standards. Plans are underway to renovate, expand or build new facilities at seven of the eight library sites by FY2012.
Approved by JGRLS Board of Trustees on October 26, 2004. Document signed by David Ables, Chairman and Robert Willits, Library Director. Final documents forwarded to MLC included “Technology Plan Checklist.”