Southeast Library System
Technology Plan
1. Mission Statement
Southeast Library Systems (SELS) vision statement challenges us to achieve a world where libraries and individuals have direct and equal access to diverse resources for education, work and leisure. A tremendous aid in achieving equal access to those resources will be the use of technology and electronically formatted information. Technology is an important tool utilized in each of the 4 Service Roles of the SELS Plan:
Service Role 1: Training and Consulting: to provide continuing education opportunities and technology training, and to coordinate efforts and activities with Nebraska Library Commission.
Service Role 2: Consortia Building and Cooperative Approaches To Providing Library Services: To explore more efficient and effective ways to provide system-wide services, and to continue dialogue with NLC in regard to development goals. To encourage local libraries to share resources, to support effective approaches to resource sharing, to familiarize librarians with available resources, and to ensure that all member libraries have access to resources beyond their own collections in order to provide quality library service.
Service Role 3: Promotion: Of librarians, libraries and systems and the vital service they provide to Nebraska citizens.
Service Role 4: Management of SELS Resources: To carry out the duties and goals of a regional library system, serving SELS members efficiently and effectively.
(The SELS Technology Plan is a part of the SELS System Plan for 2006-2007and details of the specific goals and objectives within each Service Role can be found on the SELS web page: www.nlc.state.ne.us/system/sesys/index.html )
Southeast Library System is a multi-type library network with 248 members offering a wide range of service in public, school, academic, institutional and private libraries (Membership list with populations from 2000 Census are on the SELS web page: www.nlc.state.ne.us/system/sesys/index.html.) Membership includes 12 academic institutions, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, four private colleges, three community college campuses, a state college and a technical school. Fifty-four public libraries are system members. The majority of these libraries (34) serve populations fewer than 1,000. The system counts 154 school media centers among its members, 66 that are Lincoln Public Schools, with most of those belonging to Class 3 schools (population areas between 1,000 and 100,000). Fourteen of the school media centers are parochial. The system has 28 special and institutional members, most of which are located in Lancaster County.
SELS covers a 15-county area in southeast Nebraska, including the counties of Cass, Fillmore, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Seward, Thayer and York.
2. Technology Strategic Plan
The technology strategy for SELS will be to meet the following objectives using measurable criteria to evaluate our success in implementation:
3. Plan Justification
The Southeast Library System is one of six multi-type Regional Library Systems in Nebraska. It is a non-profit corporation designed to promote and improve library services in its region. Of the Systems 54 public library members, 34 serve populations under 1,000, and 25 serve populations fewer than 500. If these small libraries are to provide their customers with up-to-date information and resources, use of the Internet is a necessity. Electronic resources allow libraries, regardless of size or location, to access information that would be well beyond their budget using traditional acquisitions processes.
One of the Systems goals is to provide continuing opportunities for training and consulting, including effective use of information technology. Thus, the system staff must be skilled and literate in the area of library technology. SELS staff and board have negotiated cooperative arrangements in utilizing computer labs within the regions, which have included Seward Public Library, Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln School of Commerce, Southeast Community College-Milford, and Nebraska Library Commission.
As demands on the system staff increase, the Internet and electronic resources provide a time- and cost-saving method of responding to members needs. For example, the system web page can inform members of upcoming training and grant opportunities, basic policies and services of the system, and link to other sites of interest to librarians. The SELS and CASTL mailing lists are routinely used for sharing information, whether from the SELS office or from member libraries. SELS Board members are required to have e-mail access to facilitate communication on System issues and business. The SELS web page, e-mail and telephone are the primary modes of communication with system members, outside face-to-face meetings, making the e-rate discounts received through the Universal Service Fund Schools & Libraries Division extremely valuable in cost savings within our budget. (Details on technology costs are outlined with the attached SELS Budget.) Monthly figures vary, but on average the System office receives 200 emails and 40 telephone calls weekly that are integral to the Systems objectives and plan.
Technology provides the option of creating links between system libraries within the region as well as globally. The ability to share and access resources on such a vast scale assists in meeting the information needs of a diverse community with varying geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The SELS Staff and Board work jointly on preparation and evaluation of the Technology Plan. Board members represent various regions of the System, and multiple library types. (The list of Board members is included at the end of this document.) The technology plan is reviewed annually as a piece of the SELS Plan at the August Board Meeting and Retreat. At that time, recommendations for changes, recognition of successes and identification of future challenges are discussed. Input from system members through formal workshop evaluations, surveys and informal communication to the staff and/or board are also considered. SELS also works to coordinate plans with statewide objectives highlighted through the Nebraska Library Commission. The SELS Board, as an administrative board, approves changes and/or revisions in SELS plans.
4. Technology: SELS Staff and Board are responsible for maintenance of equipment within the office, including computers. Primarily the Administrative Assistant performs upgrades and troubleshooting with informal support from technology staff at Lincoln City Libraries and Nebraska Library Commission, as well as SELS Board members. When appropriate, service contracts and warranties (i.e. Ricoh Printer) offer additional support in ensuring that equipment is in good operating order and functions are being used appropriately and efficiently. Service providers, such as Alltel, are contacted for assistance with telecommunication services. The SELS plan includes direction to evaluate computers, printers, fax and software for upgrade at least every 2 years. That evaluation is done cooperatively between SELS Staff and Board Members.
SELS Administrative Assistant installed the filter WeBlocker July 2004 to comply with CIPA requirements in receiving Internet discounts through the Universal Service Fund.
Technology Inventory: SELS inventory is used as a report for insurance purposes, as well as a method of highlighting upgrade needs. It is also an avenue to investigate for methods of cutting expenses and to compare provider and software/hardware costs. Current inventory is listed below:
1 Ricoh Aficio Ap3800C Color Laser Printer
2 laser printers (Xerox, Dell)
1 dot-matrix printer (Epson)
1 FAX machine (Brother)
1 Minolta copier
1 LCD projector for use with the laptop (NEC)
1 digital camera (Olympus)
1 scanner (Epson)
1 Dell Dimension 4600C Computer
1 Dell Dimension 5100C Computer
1 Dell Inspiron 9300 Laptop
1 Apollo portable Wireless PA System
5. Internal Connections
2 phone lines:
1 phone/WATS line
1 FAX/DSL line
Communications Software:
Microsoft Internet Explorer / Outlook
Future planned equipment: Prior to purchase of new equipment, staff will consult the Nebraska Library Commissions computer purchasing requirements, along with recommendations from technology staff at Lincoln City Libraries and Nebraska Library Commission, as well as SELS Board members. SELS plans to purchase an MP3 Player, an iPod and downloadable books, as part of a Nebraska Regional Library Systems LSTA grant request. Those purchases would provide the following outcomes listed in the 2006 LSTA grant:
1) Twenty-five percent of interested members within each system will borrow this equipment from the Regional Library Systems and within 3-5 years will purchase similar equipment for their libraries. Each system will record this information when equipment is borrowed and in follow-up to borrowers.
2) Nebraska Regional Library Systems will provide an educational project for librarians on the direction of technology, providing at least a familiarity and awareness in how the technology works. Workshops will be held in each system.
3) Nebraska librarians familiarity with this technology will impact favorably on library visibility and credibility within the community. Availability of a new library material format and understanding of how that equipment can be used effectively may help in responding to an expanding customer base, and further the image of libraries as a changing and adapting community resource. Narratives from librarians on the impact will be sought out, as well as statistics reflecting use.
4) Libraries which adopt the use of this technology will be viewed as relevant sources of information to the younger generation. Systems will review statistics of library customers that have been a part of this project, and will also ask for their feedback concerning outreach to 11-25 year-olds.
5) Regional library system staff and boards will become familiar with technology used in this project, and be able to respond to questions regarding it with a broader base of knowledge. Each system will track the number of requests for information received concerning the technology used in this project.
It is vital for the future of libraries to be on the cutting edge. The cooperative nature of this project will have a positive effect at the county, regional and state level. Libraries will be participating in a state-wide effort to improve services through the use of technology. In addition, peer support will also be enhanced as individuals work together for a common goal.
Summary of Services to Be Discounted with E-rate
Discount savings = (Avg. x 12) x 50% *
Local Telephone Service at $110.78/month average (Discounted savings to system in 2006/2007 is $664.68) Service Provider: Alltel Communications
Long Distance Service at $54.18/month average (Discounted savings to system in 2006/2007 is $325.08) Service Provider: AT&T
WATS phone service at $99.95/month average (Discounted savings to system in 2006/2007 is $599.70) Service Provider: Verizon Business
Internet access at $35/month (Discounted savings to system in 2006/2007 is $210) Service Provider: Alltel Communications
* Non-discounted amount to be paid with budgeted Systems funds
Submitted By:
Southeast Library System
Brenda Ealey, Administrator
Jenni Puchalla, Administrative Assistant
5730 R St., Ste. C-1
Lincoln, NE 68505
Lancaster County
(402)467-6188
(800)288-6063
Fax: (402)467-6196
SELS Web page: www.nlc.state.ne.us/system/sesys/index.html
Southeast Library System Board of Directors:
Lisa Olivigni, President, Crete Public Library
Jan Thomsen, Vice-President, Alice M. Farr Memorial Library/Aurora
Rebecca Bernthal, Secretary, UNL-Love Library
Becky Baker, Treasurer, Seward Memorial Library
Judy Butler, Waverly Senior High School
Sandy Elton, Lincoln Correctional Center Library
Karen Frank, Greenwood Public Library
Debbie Goossen, Lewiston Public School Media Center
Ken Gunselman, York College Levitt Library Learning Center
Stephen Hunt, Plattsmouth Public Library
Kris Rogge, Johnson
Hope Schawang, Lydia Bruun Woods Memorial Library/Falls City
Tom Schmitz, Lincoln Regional Center Library
Revised draft of SELS Technology plan reviewed with suggested revisions at the August 12th, 2005 board planning retreat.