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Technology Planning

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 | 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
  • CTCNet Center Start-Up Manual. Community Technology Centres Network. Read before starting a CAP or a library computer center
  • 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.
  • TekDesk Tutorials    Word, EXCEL, Outlook etc
  • 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.

Digitization and Preservation
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
  • Canadian ISP.com Internet service provider locator A website that allows you to search for an Internet service provider (Dial-up, ISDN, DSL, Cable, Satellite, Point to Point and Wireless) anywhere in Canada. Customers can post reviews, and ISPs submit their own services
  • Canada 411 Find a Business - Enter Internet Products & Services in the "I am looking for" box and tick on "Category". Enter your municipality in the "City" box. Click on the Find It button. There is frequently a link to the ISP's web site or an ad. Note that some companies listed may only offer web site hosting, development, etc. and not internet access.
  • How to choose an ISP - Industry Canada website (Industry Canadda)
  • Listings Ontario portal - Click on Ontario. Find the link for your area in the left hand panel. Under the subject “Computers” there is usually a link for “ISPs
  • List of ISP's: The Definitive Buyer's Guide - Heavy on the advertising but allows for searching ISP's by area code. The isting indicates whether the ISP offers ISDN, DSL, etc
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.
  • E-Learning For Prescott: Community Capacity Building Through Telecommunications. (.pdf) By Laurie McArthur, Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto, September 19, 2004. The successful Bell Canada Foundation application was a request to fund the implementation of information technology supports in the library to: a) support patrons with disabilities; b) support literacy after school; c) explore tele-teaching for health, business and the environment; d) reinforce software that is available within the 5 schools in the community
  • Smart Communities. Industry Canada
RFID - Radiofrequency Identification Technology
Sustainability
Standards
Systems
  • Automated Systems Marketplace 2007: An Industry Re-defined. Vendors profiled (LJDigital) by Marshall Breeding (LJ Digital 4/1/2007)
  • Biblio Mondo  Multilingual automated system, Canadian office in Montreal
  • 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.
  • Library Automation Systems Vendors on the WWW. (rev. Feb. 2007)
  • Library Automation System Vendor List (2007) (Texas State Library and Archives Services)
  • Library Computer and Network Security: Introduction (Infopeople) Creating a secure public access workstation is a process made up of many discrete procedures.
  • Lib-Web-Cats: Library Web Pages, Online Catalogs, and System Profiles, a resource of over 4,000 libraries worldwide. (Vanderbilt U)
  • Ontario Library Consortium (OLC) OCL 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
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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