Winnefox Library System
The mission of the Winnefox Library System is to strengthen library services and to improve the availability of resources for all residents of the system area by providing various support services to member libraries, promoting cooperative activities among all types of libraries, offering educational opportunities and consulting services to improve the knowledge and skills of librarians and trustees, and increasing public awareness of library services and programs.
Winnefox Library System will make use of technologies that will enable the system to serve members more effectively and efficiently. The system will actively assist member libraries in adopting technology to meet the individual informational, recreational, and educational needs of their communities.
This plan is intended to: 1) Meet the statutory requirements of Wisconsin Statute 43.24(2), that the system undergo planning with The Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning (DLTCL) and member libraries in regard to library technology and resource sharing 2) Satisfy the requirements of both the Federal E-Rate program and the state TEACH program and 3) Provide a blueprint for the continuing evolution of technology in the growth of services provided by the Winnefox Library System and its member libraries.
This plan was developed with active participation from all affected parties. Information used in the drafting of this plan was obtained in the following ways:
Wisconsin Statute requires public library systems to submit a written plan for library technology and resource sharing every five years. (Wis. Stat. 43.24(2)(m)) This present plan was written to accommodate the timing of this requirement. However, planners realize that library and information technology exists in a fluid, rapidly changing environment. A particular technology that may be important in year five of a planning cycle may not be evident in year one. For this reason, this plan will be reviewed and updated each year as part of the annual budgeting/planning process. Information regarding new technologies as well as data from the evaluation process will be used to revise the plan.
The Winnefox Library System is a federated library system established under Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes. It provides services to 30 public libraries in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, and Winnebago Counties. Technology plays a major role in all services provided by Winnefox including:
A summary of technology-related services that the system
offers to members through the programs outlined above include: (These services will be ongoing
throughout the life of this plan.)
Directors of member libraries and System staff identified the following as new services that should be developed by Winnefox Library System between 2005 and 2009. While listed in overall priority order, a variety of circumstances may affect the order in which the projects will be worked on.
2. Explore Internet filtering options to allow member libraries the maximum flexibility to decide which workstations will be filtered and to what extent.
Member library directors identified the following selected list of issues as important considerations in developing new services:
The universe of potential new services is larger than the need and capability of Winnefox and its member libraries to develop new services. All potential services will be accessed according to the following criteria before Winnefox commits resources to their development:
1. Does a need exist within a significant number of patrons and/or libraries within the service area that might be addressed by this service?
2. Are there opportunities for Winnefox to partner with member libraries and/or other organizations in the development of this service?
3. Will the development and maintenance of this service replace, compliment or detract from other Winnefox and/or member library services?
4. Is there sufficient funding for a new service without weakening other vital Winnefox services?
5. Can the suggested need be met more effectively by other organizations in the area.
Winnefox member libraries may also contract directly for the development of a function or service program which may or may not be on the list of prioritized services.
Strategic Goals:
1. Winnefox Library System will facilitate the establishment of electronic branches for member libraries in every home, workplace, and classroom within its service area.
2. Winnefox will insure that library services, both online and direct, have a high level of human touch and promote a sense of community.
3. Winnefox member libraries will become the best used and best supported public libraries in Wisconsin.
4. Officials of local governments will use and be informed about local library resources.
5. Residents of local communities will have access to high quality library resources, both at home and in their local libraries, regardless of where they live within the Winnefox Library System.
Activities 2005:
1. Explore Internet filtering options to allow member libraries the maximum flexibility to decide which workstations will be filtered and to what extent.
2. Investigate options for integrated Internet workstation schedule control, print management, and filtering.
3. Implement electronic ordering in the SIRSI system (Electronic Data Interchange)
4. Implement collection agency processing with an outside agency.
5. Manage migration from MS Exchange server 5.5
6. Manage migration to MS Office 2003
8. Expand online indexing of local newspapers.
9. Configure Z39.50 server for participation in Wisconsin linked system resource sharing project
10. Upload all library records to OCLC for future participation in OCLC ILL resource sharing system
11. Bring Campbellsport Public Library online with the WALS system.
12. Work with Oakfield & Neshkoro libraries to begin the process of bringing them on the WALS system.
13.
Expand the number of Internet workstations in member
libraries.
14. Assist libraries in developing a plan to replace one-quarter of the existing computer workstations for both staff and the public.
15. Work with individual libraries and Library Advisory Committees within each county to obtain funding from local governments sufficient to obtain necessary electronic services.
16. Work with individual libraries and LACs within each county to obtain funding for sufficient, qualified staff to support electronic services.
Activities 2006:
1. Examine online resource subscriptions and use and change subscriptions if necessary.
2. Enable library users to organize their own favorite Winnefox web sources onto personal web pages accessed through member library web pages. (The “My Library” model.)
3. Provide library patrons with online readers advisory assistance.
4. Begin to provide full-text local histories online.
5. Investigate ability for patrons to conduct searches across multiple databases on library web sites.
6. Develop “founders” page of private donation acknowledgements as well as online ability to donate for Oshkosh and other member libraries.
7. Support implementation of 211 referral service in cooperation with other area I&R providers.
8. Develop an online community calendar that may be maintained and accessed through member library websites.
9. Explore online delivery/access to music, video, spoken word materials.
10. Bring Oakfield & Neshkoro libraries online with the WALS system.
11. Begin planning to bring Brandon PL online with the WALS system.
12. Assist member libraries in replacing one-quarter of all public and staff PCs.
13. Work with individual libraries and Library Advisory Committees within each county to obtain funding from local governments sufficient to obtain necessary electronic services.
14. Work with individual libraries and LACs within each county to obtain funding for sufficient, qualified staff to support electronic services.
Activities 2007:
1. Evaluate progress at the midpoint of the Plan’s effective life and change goals and activities if necessary.
2. Expand interactive online reference support to system residents through local library websites from current limited hours to 24/7 availability.
3. Develop electronic information kiosks in member communities outside of libraries.
4. Provide access to electronic textbooks through member library web sites.
5. Investigate allowing library patrons to complete fine/fee transactions with member libraries through local websites.
6. Develop capability of virtual book club(s) for use by patrons to share and talk about books as well as movies, music, etc.
7. Explore online library card application capability
8. Bring Brandon Public Library online with the WALS system.
9. Assist member libraries in replacing one-quarter of all public and staff PCs.
10. Work with individual libraries and Library Advisory Committees within each county to obtain funding from local governments sufficient to obtain necessary electronic services.
11. Work with individual libraries and LACs within each county to obtain funding for sufficient, qualified staff to support electronic services.
Activities 2008:
1. Investigate provision of electronic publishing for local authors
2. Continue to evaluate and adjust the Plan’s goals and activities as needed.
3. Expand the number of computer workstations in member libraries.
4. Replace one-quarter of the existing computer workstations for WLS staff.
5. Assist member libraries in replacing one-quarter of all public and staff PCs.
6. Work with individual libraries and Library Advisory Committees within each county to obtain funding from local governments sufficient to obtain necessary electronic services.
7. Work with individual libraries and LACs within each county to obtain funding for sufficient, qualified staff to support electronic services.
Activities 2009:
1.
Continue maintenance and development of ongoing activities.
2.
Undertake comprehensive assessment and redrafting of the
Technology plan.
3.
Expand the number of computer workstations in member
libraries.
4. Replace one-quarter of the existing computer workstations for WLS staff.
5. Assist member libraries in replacing one-quarter of all public and staff PCs.
6. Work with individual libraries and Library Advisory Committees within each county to obtain funding from local governments sufficient to obtain necessary electronic services.
7. Work with individual libraries and LACs within each county to obtain funding for sufficient, qualified staff to support electronic services.
In 2004, the total
operating budget for Winnefox Library System was $1,402,969 exclusive of WALS
and WCTS member funded activities. Of
this amount, $211,433 is devoted to shared automation and another $244,872 is
devoted to electronic reference and resource sharing. The total Winnefox funding for technology equals $456,305 or 33%
of the Winnefox budget.
In addition, The WALS 2004 operating expenditures are set at $731,698 in
support of the shared automation system.
The majority of these funds are generated from fees paid by member libraries for services they
receive. WALS benefits from a state subsidy for 26 T-1 lines used
by the system and member libraries for Internet access and resource
sharing. Three of our member libraries
(Oshkosh, Neenah and Menasha) and Winnefox/WALS are supported with fiber optic
connections through a collaboration with the FoxNet Fiberoptic Consortium (made up of
Winnebago County and other local units of government throughout the county).
Winnefox actively seeks grant funding whenever possible.
Funding for plan years 2005 through 2009 very much depend on increased system funding from the state. An increase at least equal to the rate of inflation is needed to maintain services as they are, and to maintain the healthy percentage of the Winnefox budget devoted to technology. However, it is unlikely that implementation of all of the projects mentioned above will be possible without increased system funding. Though member library payments for WALS services will continue, it is not possible to pay for expanded electronic services, as outlined above from increased member library contributions. WATF, TEACH, LSTA, and other grant funding will be applied for when available and appropriate. Because many of the projects outlined in this plan depend on developing technologies, and are experimental in terms of service delivery to library customers, the full cost of implementing this plan is not known. The extent to which Winnefox is able to develop electronic services will ultimately be defined by available technology, available funding, and utility to the public.
The effectiveness of incorporating new technology in Winnefox and member library services will be evaluated through:
§ Regular assessment of customer satisfaction at member libraries
§ Collection of statistical data such as numbers of users of public Internet workstations, tracking the amount of time each workstation is in use, web site “hits”, Ebook circulation, etc.
§ Comparison of annual Staff Technology Skill Assessments
§ Anecdotal comments from library users and staff
§ Tracking requests for new services
§ Regular discussion of technology issues at county LAC meetings, quarterly WALS meetings, and the annual all Winnefox meeting
Appendix One: List of special circumstances or exceptions at individual libraries:
All libraries intend to include technology issues in their regular, individual planning efforts. Planning at the local library level is requisite to planning at the system level since all system services are developed to assist member libraries in meeting their individual service goals. Though all Winnefox libraries have indicated satisfaction with the Winnefox Technology Plan, and all libraries consider the Winnefox plan to be their official technology plan for any E-Rate and TEACH funding they may pursue, all reserve the right to develop unique projects that may arise in their annual planning processes. At present, there are no exceptions contemplated from those projects outlined in the Winnefox Plan. Priorities within this plan may shift in the annual revision process as needs and the opportunities of budgets and developing technology dictate.
Approved by:
John Nichols, Director
Judith Malueg, President
Winnefox Library System Board of Trustees