Jackson-George Regional Library System

3214 Pascagoula Street

Pascagoula, MS  39567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY PLAN

FY2008 – FY2010 (07/01/08 through 06/30/11)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by

JGRLS TECHNOLOGY PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

P.M. Hamlett, Library Director

Lonnie Breland, Technologies Manager

Rex Bridges, Media Specialist (Webmaster/Public Relations)

Yvonne Parton, Computer Training Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 1, 2007

Jackson-George Regional Library System

3214 Pascagoula Street

Pascagoula, MS  39567

 

TECHNOLOGY PLAN

FY2008 – FY2010 (07/01/08 through 06/30/11)

 

I.          INTRODUCTION

 

This document covers the period FY2008 through FY2010 and contains the Jackson-George Regional Library SystemÕs fifth 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 ÒPopular Materials LibraryÓ and ÒPeopleÕs University.Ó  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 ÒTechnology Plan FY2008-FY2010Ó on January 22, 2008.

 

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 Public Library                                    Ocean Springs Municipal Library

21801 Slider Road                                                  525 Dewey Avenue

Moss Point, MS  39562                                          Ocean Springs, MS  39564

 

Kathleen McIlwain Public Library of Gautier        Pascagoula Public Library

2100 Library Lane                                                   3214 Pascagoula Street

Gautier, MS  39553                                                 Pascagoula, MS  39567

 

Ina Thompson 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

 

 

 

II.         VISION

 

Mission Statement

 

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.

 

System Roles

 

The primary role of JGRLS is to serve as a ÒPopular Materials LibraryÓ 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 ÒPeopleÕs UniversityÓ by supporting customers in their formal education and independent learning endeavors throughout their lives. 

 

III.        SCOPE OF TECHNOLOGY PLAN

 

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 FY2008 through FY2010.

 

IV.       DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT

 

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) 1000 Mb local area networks (LANs), one at each branch, interconnected by T-1 lines and configured into a hub and spoke topology with frame-relay encapsulation which comprises our Wide Area Network (WAN).  The WAN is integrated using Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and is connected to the backbone WAN at AT&T. We are providing Wireless-Fidelity (WI-FI) service at our Pascagoula Headquarters library and plan to implement WI-FI system-wide.

 

During the current FY2005-FY2008 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. 

 

The Library System currently employs The Library CorporationÕs 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 which was abandoned in 2003.

 

All library facilities comprising the JGRLS have their own telephone systems.  A Norstar telephone system with voice mail is utilized 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 regular telephone service as well as long distance bills.

 

All branches have one or more fax machines that are used to transfer reference and other hard copy information from point-to-point.

 

Email accounts are established for both managers and staff under the JGRLS domain and are used for inter-office communications.

 

V.        GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEMENT STRATEGIES

 

GOAL 1: To provide the most efficient and effective information services to both staff and library users thereby providing better access to information and  increasing staff productivity.

 

                        Objective 1:   To keep the libraryÕs collections in shelf list order.

 

                                                            1: To continue the use of two (2) portable bar code scanners for inventory control in all branches.

                                                            2: To purchase six (6) more portable bar code scanners so all branches will have one on hand by FY2010.

                                                            3:   To continue our on-going collection maintenance program ensuring an up-to-date catalog.   

                                     

                        Objective 2:   To increase training capacity for the general public, JGRLS staff and municipal/county government employees.

 

                                                            1:   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 FY2009.                                     4:        

                                                            2:   To install computer drops in all library meeting rooms and boardrooms by FY2010.                              6:         To expand the Pascagoula C.L.I.C. Lab from twelve to fourteen workstations, by FY2004.

                                      3:   To reinstate outreach training programs for municipal/county

                                             employees which were disrupted by Hurricane Katrina as                                      soon as possible.

                                          4:      To produce training videos on basic computer skills for the                       subjects for

                                                   public and staff, by 2009.

                       

                   

 

 

 

                         Objective 3: 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 FY2010.

                                                            2:   To continue to encourage continuing education for Technologies staff and to arrange for training on new hardware/software as it is procured.

                                                           

                        Objective 4:   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, at least annually.

                                                            2:   To upgrade computer workstation hardware as needed.

                                                            3:   To have wireless LAN throughout the System by FY2009

                                                           

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 libraryÕs computers as they become available.

                                                            3:   To study the feasibility of installing fiber optic cabling at all library sites by FY2010.

                                                            4:   To continue ongoing evaluation of TLCÕs Library.Solution automated library system software, and work with TLC to refine it to our needs.

                                   

 

               GOAL 3:      To reconfigure and upgrade the JGRLS computer network.

 

                                    Objective 1: To upgrade the current computer network to T-3 connections

 

1:    To add a Storage Area Network to the system to reduce the number of servers needed by 2010.     

2:    To purchase all hardware necessary to add another DS3 line to the circuit for Internet network traffic by 2010.

                                                             3:    To upgrade hardware and software annually.

                       

                        Objective  2:  To segment our network into two (2) Virtual Local Area Networks (LANS) – Public and Administrative.

 

                                                            1:   Purchase Cisco switches allowing this configuration by FY 2010.

                                                            2:   Budget funds for maintenance and upgrades of Cisco switches.

 

 

 

 

VI.       BUDGET

 

The FY08/09 technology expenditures are estimated at $345,978 including $20,653 for TheLibraryCorporation circulation software subscription.

 

The FY09/10 technology budget is estimated at $403,267 including $31,000 for second Technologies Assistant.

 

            The FY10/11 technology budget is estimated at $423,430.

 

VII.      EVALUATION REVIEW

 

The Technology Planning Committee consists of the Library Director, Technologies Manager, the Computer Training Coordinator, and the Media Specialist. 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 LibraryÕs 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 currently employs a full-time computer trainer/coordinator. The trainer is 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.  Currently the Training Coordinator is holding classes for staff on the Windows Office 2007 in preparation for a system-wide changeover. 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 instructor.

 

 In addition to library customers, the computer trainer conducts training programs for county and municipal employees, small business managers, employees and participants in various out-reach programs. Since Hurricane Katrina these programs have been curtailed, but as the JGRLS service area recovers, there are plans for re-implementation. Training is now available in all branches; a total of 2,494 programs with attendance of 13,055 have been conducted since its inception in FY1999. Through 2005, 177 training programs for county and municipal workers had been held. 

 

Evolving Media. Our Webmaster has recently begun uploading video taken at our events to a Web source for streaming to our Web site. This is an example of how we are taking advantage of new technologies.  JGRLS needs to be aware of and explore the feasibility of providing to the public the latest in media technology. The possibility of Multi-Media work stations for each branch should be addressed. Such workstations would allow library users to make picture album CDs, personal DVDs, and the like. User-friendly software for such projects is becoming increasingly available and would enhance the library experience.

 

Streaming video on demand is now available at some libraries through subscription, and allows users access to material at their home computer without the library having to own a physical copy of the DVD. This technology and similar will continue to grow and as costs go down should be considered for adoption.

 

 

IX.       INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Current wiring and cabling at all eight library sites in JGRLS meet or exceed minimum standards. A needs assessment is being planned for the entire System to recognize shifting demographics within Jackson and George Counties and address the needs of a changing population. Once this is done we will be equipped to assess the need for new branches and renovations or other changes in the existing branches.

 

 

This document was approved by the Jackson-George Regional Board of Trustees on January 22, 2008. David Ables, Chair