CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING A TECHNOLOGY PLAN
A technology plan identifies what systems and services will fulfill your library’s mission and best meet user needs. It also provides a framework for evaluation of services and products. The foundation of a technology plan is in your Long Range/Strategic Plan. A technology plan may be integrated within a Long Range Plan, included as an addendum, or be a separate but related document.
The initial steps in developing a technology plan are:
Assess existing technology and services;
Assess environment and client needs;
Establish priorities.
Preparation of the plan involves the development of a short, articulate statement describing the application of technology as it is related to the fulfillment of your library’s service plan. Keep in mind that technology is a tool and a means to an end, not the end itself.
Next, develop goals, objectives, and actions to accomplish your mission. Goals should be broad statements that provide the framework of the plan. Objectives should be narrower assertions of short term accomplishments, outlining specifically how and how much of a goal will be achieved. Actions should be specific, measurable activities and implementation processes.
Include a time line, budget, and evaluation mechanisms. Create a time line by setting realistic time frames for the completion of action items. Create a budget by developing a cost model and identifying cost options and funding sources. Track outcomes by identifying methods for collecting and using data to make corrections and measure how well goals, objectives, and actions are met. Evaluation methods may include focused surveys, statistical analysis, and the evaluation of measurable outcomes of activities in combination with the time line and the prioritization of goals and objectives.
The result will be a comprehensive, fully-formed technology plan that interconnects with your strategic plan, emphasizes service to the user, and can be quickly adapted to take advantage of funding opportunities. Once created, use it, review it annually, and keep it current.
Creating a Technology Plan: A Selected Bibliography of Print and Online Sources
Morris Hills Regional District, Denville, NJ. 2000 April--last update. Morris Hills Regional District Plan for Technology 1997-2002, [Online]. Available: http://www.mhrd.k12.nj.us/mhhs/techplan/default.htm [2001, November 30]. This is a good example of a technology plan developed for a high school district.
Cohn, John M.; Kelsey, Ann L., and Fiels, Keith Michael. Planning for Integrated Systems and Technologies [2001, November 30]. New York: Neal-Schuman; 2001. Part I covers the creation of a basic technology plan including a model planning process.
Cohn, John M., Kelsey, Ann L., and Fiels, Keith Michael. Writing and Updating Technology Plans: A Guidebook with Sample Policies on CD-ROM [2001, November 30]. New York: Neal-Schuman, 1999. The guide describes how plans are developed, how to maintain them, and how to use them as leverage for grant and budget applications. The accompanying CD-ROM contains some 50 technology plans developed in public, school, academic, and special libraries.
Highland Park Elementary School, Austin TX. 1994 September--last update. Creating a Whole School Network [Homepage of Highland Park Elementary School], [Online]. Available: http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/home/hptech/net.html [2001, November 30]. This is an example of a technology plan developed by an elementary school.
Imhoff, Kathleen R. T. Making the Most of New Technology: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians [2001, November 30] New York: Neal-Schuman ; 1996. This book "helps librarians improve library service to users by writing a technology plan; improving the technology selection decision-making process; and understanding factors that can affect technology planning."
Riggs, Donald. Strategic Planning for Library Managers. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx; 1984. This book, though out of print, is possibly the most clearly written and succinct document that has been written specifically for librarians on the strategic planning process. State Library of North Carolina (2001, April 19--last update. Technology Planning [Homepage of the State Library of North Carolina]. [Online] ed. Available: http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/hottopic/techplan/techplan.htm [2001, November 30]. This website has good sample plans and links to excellent documents and worksheets prepared by the Florida and Nebraska state libraries. Wisconsin. Department of Public Instruction. Public Library Development. (2001, July 31--last update. Library Technology Planning: An Outline of the Process [Homepage of the State of Wisconsin, Department of Public Instruction], [Online]. Available: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dlcl/pld/planout.html [2001, November 6]. This site provides an excellent technology plan outline as well as five factors critical to effective library technology planning and implementation. Includes a list of links to other technology planning resources. Of particular interest are the link to "Preparing a Technology Plan" which has comprehensive and clearly written information on developing a technology plan developed by the Idaho State Library, and the "Tech Plans" link to the PUBLIB listserv "reference desk" which in turn links to several public library technology plans and other resources related to technology planning.Adapted from a presentation by Ann L. Kelsey at the Highlands Regional Library Cooperative (NJ) Regional Technology Day, May 26, 1998. Updated November 30, 2001.