A technology plan provides a blueprint against which to measure new technologies and applications, assess future needs, and allocate resources to balance technology with the needs of users and staff. This book is a comprehensive and practical guide for librarians preparing a technology plan. The book is divided into five planning steps, each of…

Discusses the processes involved in migrating a library's automation system. Highlights include getting information from vendor demonstrations, setting up an evaluation database to analyze RFPs (requests for proposals), making a spreadsheet that compares costs of packages, making recommendations once the data are analyzed, and implementation…

This report describes the planning and design process for the University of Rhode Island Library's new map room, which was undertaken as part of a library expansion and renovation program. The first of the report's three major sections describes how equipment was selected for the map room and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of three…

Discusses design elements of a 21st century school library, including space, books and shelving, seats, tables, technology (computers, scanners, projectors), building materials (wood, metal, plastic, paint, glass, fibers), and light and color. A sidebar describes the L!BRARY initiative to creatively design, professionally staff, and…

Discusses the changing face of libraries as a result of the penetration of technology into the home, school, and workplace. Charts the evolution of libraries from the perspectives of strategic planning, role, service delivery, organization and staffing, the librarian's role, budgeting and finance, assessment and accountability, and alliances. (VWC)

Increased student enrollment, collection growth, the need for multimedia workspace, and other technology changes are all reasons for embarking on a facilities project in a library media center. This book describes the keys to success for library media centers of the future, and addresses the need for developing support for the facilities plan.…

Addresses the necessity of incorporating new computer technologies into school library resource centers and notes some administrative challenges. An extensive checklist is provided for assessing equipment and furniture needs, physical facilities, and rewiring needs. A glossary of 20 terms and 11 additional resources is included. (AEF)

Describes how a library, with an MCI Corporation grant, approached the process of setting up computers for the visually impaired. Discusses preparations, which included hiring a visually-impaired user as a consultant and contacting the VIP (Visually Impaired Persons) group; equipment; problems with the graphical user interface; and training.…

San Jacinto College's Central Campus developed a 4-year plan to bring the library's technology, college, and facilities to a level equal to libraries of other Texas Community Colleges. The first major goal for the library is to select and deliver information that students and faculty need at the time of need, thereby redefining library resources…

Academic libraries must integrate technology and traditional library service. Online catalogs, high-tech campus information networks, and accelerated resource sharing present opportunities for building comprehensive information centers. However, the interiors of most existing libraries were not designed to accommodate extensive high-tech equipment…

One of the most significant decisions in a library administrator's career is the decision to automate one or more of a library's operations. This book describes the present state of local library automation; the planning, selection, and implementation process; and the library administrator's role in the process. The bulk of the text provides a…