Clearinghouse of Professional Information

Technology Resources

This section lists resources that may be helpful to libraries as they plan and manage computer technology projects, library automation and Internet connectivity projects.

OLS – North provides assistance with Technology Planning through its Library Development Service. Technology Planning is assigned to Rebecca Larocque our Library Development Advisor, Technology who can be reached by phone or by e-mail at .


Topics include

General Resources | Adaptive Technology |  Digitization and Preservation | E-books | Internet Connectivity | Images | Programs | RFID | Standards (including Z39.50) | Sustainability | Systems | TrendsWeb 2.0 | Website Design  | Wireless

indicates an item written by SOLS staff

indicates an item written by OLS-North staff

Clicking on certain topics will open a new window, if the link is to a topic included in an other Clearinghouse page

General Resources
  • 24by7 TEKdesk (OPLN) An Ontario Public Library Network initiative. 24by7 TEKdesk provides computer support for all Ontario Public Libraries in concert with SOLS and OLS-N.
  • "32 Tips to Inspire Innovation for You and Your Library" Part 1; Part 2 and Part 3 by Stephen Abram, MLS, SirsiDynix vice president of Innovation in Sirsi OneSource, volume 1 issue 7 and volume 1 issue 8
  • Dotto Tech Award-winning television host Steve Dotto show how to make the most of technology. The show appears on Bell Globemedia's national CHUM network and on Canada's independent educational channels. Clips from previous shows can be seen on the website and past seasons can be borrowed on DVD at many public libraries
  • HTML Code Tutorial
  • Innovative Internet Applications Intended primarily for the library community, this is a sampling of new and interesting uses of the Web by public, corporate, academic, and school libraries. Provides best practices models of both traditional and non-traditional library service provision using Internet technology. (Wilton Public Library)
  • Library Technology Guides « Website aims to provide comprehensive and objective information related to the field of library automation. This site has no affiliation with any library automation company. Whether you are in the process of selecting a library automation system, or just want to keep up with developments in the field, Library Technology Guides is the place to start.»
  • OLITA: Ontario Library and Information Technology Association (OLITA) Toolkits on Internet Access, RSS, Wireless
  • Public Internet Access Links to sites selected by OLS on this topic
  • Standards and Guidelines for Digitization Projects (.pdf)   (The Canadian Culture Online Program). This document outlines technical requirements that digitization projects must meet and offers guidance on technical issues.
  • Stay Connected Toolkit (Gates Library Foundation) A toolkit of activities designed to help libraries engage local communities in their technology programs and enlist their help in sustaining them. In addition to specific steps on how to gain financial, political and technical support in your state and community, the kit also includes 'good ideas,' examples of successful programs created by libraries.
  • Technology Planning (WebJunction)
  • TekDesk e-learning Thanks to a grant from the Trillium Foundation, all courses and events are FREE for Ontario Public Libraries located in centres with populations less than 20,000. Due to funding parameters, courses are available to all other libraries for a suggested donation. Invoices are available.
  • TechEase  (Educational Technology Clearinghouse.) Quick answers to day today  technology questions.
  • TekDesk Tutorials    Word, EXCEL, Outlook etc
  • TechSoup: Canadian portal The TechSoup Canada Technology Donation Program is an online product donation service that connects nonprofits with technology product donations from more than twenty-five leading corporate and nonprofit technology partners.
  • Top Technology Trends for libraries (ALA - Library and Information Technology Association)
  • WebJunction.org "A portal designed to help library staff make the best use of emerging digital opportunities. It was launched May 12, 2003 by OCLC Online Computer Library Center, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The resources on WebJunction are practical and down-to-earth and address real problems that librarians face every day. Most important, at WebJunction you can identify and communicate with your peers about topics that are important to you." LJ
Adaptive Technology
Products

These products have been selected as examples only. Their inclusion here is not an endorsement.

  • Adaptive Computer Products
  • Browsealoud Will read websites out to you and highlight words as they are read out
  • Dewey Pictograms (California Library Literacy Services) Reproducible images portraying collections within the Dewey Decimal Classification System, enabling people with disabilities, low literacy skills, etc., to better locate materials in the library's collection; these can be mounted on bookstacks or special mounts in the collection. Many thanks to OCLC (all copyright rights in the Dewey Decimal Classification System are owned by OCLC; Dewey, Dewey Decimal Classification, DDC, OCLC and WebDewey are registered trademarks of OCLC) and to Oakland (CA) Public Library for making these images freely available.
  • DigiMemo Pad Place a letter-sized notepad on the DigiMemo and write on the paper with the digital inking pen. The DigiMemo will record anything written on the pad in its built-in storage device.
  • Kursweil Educational Systems
  • New Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) Devices
  • ReadPlease  Text to speech software
  • Vendors specializing in technology for the blind (New York Institute for Special Education)
  • ZoomText  Magnification and reading software for the vision impaired.
Digitization and Preservation
E-books
Images
Internet Connectivity
  • Connectivity Presentation - A 2003 presentation by Barbara Franchetto, SOLS Director of Resource Sharing, on the Connectivity Project managed by SOLS on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. For more on this project, see our Connectivity section in Resource Sharing
  • Connectivity Survey - A summary of the results of a survey conducted by SOLS, looking at the impact of the Internet Connectivity project on libraries and library patrons. For more on this project, see our Connectivity section in Resource Sharing
General resources and Definitions
Finding an ISP
Routers
Satellite communications
Usage statistics for your website
xDSL (ADSL, SDSL, HDSL, VDSL)
Programs
  • Community Access Program (Industry Canada): connecting Canada's communities to the information highway.
  • JASI The Joint Automation Server Initiative "JASI" is a cooperative project of member libraries in Ontario. Libraries pay a membership fee to share an automated library system and a single set of servers. This project is ongoing and new members are welcome. To see the libraries catalogues please visit www.jasinorth.ca.
RFID - Radiofrequency Identification Technology
Sustainability
Standards
Systems
  • Automated Systems Marketplace 2008 Vendors profiles (LJDigital) feature written annually in LJ by Marshall Breeding.
  • Biblio Mondo  Multilingual automated system,.Headquartered in Montreal, BiblioMondo has established itself as Canada’s favorite library automation system vendor, counting among its customers some of the country’s most recognized public library and government clients.
  • RFP Writer's Guide to Standards for Library Systems (.pdf) National Information Standards Organization (NISO) identifies critical standards in the areas of Bibliographic Formats, Record Structure, Character Sets, Exchange Media, Serials Identifiers, Binding, Circulation Protocols, Barcodes, Interlibrary Loan (ILL), Electronic Documents, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Information Retrieval, Metadata, and Web Access. For each standard, the applicability to libraries is described, sample RFP language is provided, and compliance assessment issues are discussed.
  • Evergreen Open source library system
  • A Field Guide to Servers (TechSoup) Understanding how servers can make your nonprofit’s tech infrastructure more powerful.
  • Insignia Library System Is a full-featured library system. It can be installed as Windows-based or web based or web enabled, it has simple point-and-click navigation and is easy and fun for library patrons and staff.
  • LibLime  Provider of open source software like Koha Integrated Systems; Search Blue Mountains Public Library catalogue as an example
  • Library Automated Systems (Internet Library for Librarians)
  • Lib-Web-Cats: Library Web Pages, Online Catalogs, and System Profiles, a resource of over 4,000 libraries worldwide. (Vanderbilt U)
  • Mandarin  Look for the free download of Mandarin M3 and lots of other features
  • Millenium (Innovative Interfaces)
  • Ontario Library Consortium (OLC) OLC consists of 25 library systems: 11 county and regional municipality and 14 medium-sized public libraries located in southern Ontario. It includes over 200 branch libraries and 20 headquarters, serving approximately 10% of the Ontario population. The group is using Sirsi-Dynix technology.
  • Perceptions 2009: An International Survey of Library Automation This survey and its analysis reflect my ongoing interest in following trends in the library automation industry. It is designed to complement, and not replace, the annual Automation Systems Marketplace.
Trends
Web Site Design
Web Standards
  • World Wide Web Consortium Was created in October 1994 to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing common protocols that promote its evolution and ensure its interoperability.

Wireless

See also our Public Internet Access page under Wireless Access

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