Re: HIT:Technology Plan, Part 1

["Bernard F. Droste" <drosteb@unicom.net>]

Rebecca Leigh Menti wrote:
>
> This is in response to a message I sent a month or so ago.  Several asked
> that I post a HIT.  I got one good piece of advice: hire a technology
> consultant!  (Another suggestion was search out your community for
> "volunteer" telephone employees who might have the "know-how" to make
> recommendations about hardware--or other computer-related employees;
> however, remember they are just that--volunteers, so be careful.)
>
> Here is what a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants committee (composed of 2
> high school librarians, 2 jr. high school librarians, 2 elementary
> librarians, a principal, the library supervisor, a student (valedictorian
> from one of the high schools) came up with:
>
>                 PRIORITIES FOR LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY 1997-98
> 1.      Internet-ready multimedia computers (Pentium with at least 16 MB
> of memory) in all libraries with appropriate network cards and drops.  File
> Server computers to have tape or zip back up and UPS for file servers.  In
> addition to the file server, the circulation computer and the librarian's
> workstation, the number of student workstations suggested for each level
> is as follows:
>         *       Elementary-a minimum of 6 student workstations.  (Schools
>                 with enrollment over 900 should get an additional workstation
>                 for each additional 150 students.)
>         *       Junior High-a minimum of 10 student workstations.
>         *       High School-a minimum of 15 workstations (Schools with
>                 enrollment over 2, 250 should get an additional workstation
>                 for each additional 150 students).
>         *       1 Color laser printer per library
>         *       1 laser printer for every 3 workstations
>         *       1 dot matrix printer at circulation desk
>         (Plus necessary furniture to house workstations; we left this off)
>
> 2.  Networked CD-ROM towers (preferably 14 bays) in all secondary schools
> for access to CD-ROM reference products not available on the Internet.
> Continue to subscribe to and maintain on-line services to include, but not
> limited to:
>                 SIRS Researcher
>                 SIRS Government Reporter (as soon as available)
>                 SIRS Discoverer
>                 EBSCO host (MAS Full Text Elite--Middle Search--Primary Search)
>                 Newsbank
>         Until these products are available in AISD buildings through the
> Internet (drops in place, Internet up and running, strong clearly-worded
> district Acceptable Use Policy in place), these products will need to be
> in place in buildings by using towers.
>
> 3.  Upgrade of Winnebago CIRC/Cat to Winnebago Spectrum for
> multi-platform access.
>
> 4.  To allow building access to library resources, increase Winnebago
> license sufficient to cover the number of network drops in the building.
>
> 5.  Establish a district Union Catalog at Library Services with
> appropriate hardware (several gigs).
>         (All of the above are necessary to upgrade all libraries to meet
> the requirements for membership in the Texas Library Connection.)
>
> 6.  Contract services for set-up of library networks so that it can be
> accomplished in the 97-98 school year.
>
> 7.  Provide inservice training with release time beyond the calendar for
> staff development for training on new Winnebago system and the Internet and
> Internet-based products.
>
> I'm sure this is not perfect, but at least it's a start.  Good luck to
> those of you who are going through this; I can't wait to let you all know
> what we actually "get". <G>  That should really make for interesting reading!
>
> Rebecca L. Menti, Librarian/Media Specialist      e-mail: rmenti@tenet.edu
> Barnett Jr. High School                           Fax:   817-468-8374
> 2101 Harwood Rd.                                  Phone: 817-468-1952
> Arlington, Texas   76018

As a former library media specialist, may I offer the following comments
to your various sections:
1. I would agree with everything here except for allocating 1 laser
printer for every 3 workstations. We have 2 lasers serving one computer
lab of 25 workstations and this is working out fine.  It seems like
overkill since good lasers can really turn out the paper.
2. We have four 6 bay CD-ROM towers in our District, and although we
have not had them long, they seem to require quite a bit of management
from our technical people.  We have not been able to just install them
and walk away.  Before we buy any more towers, I am going to check into
the possiblity of getting as much of this information off of the
Internet as is possible. If you have Internet connectivity, you may want
to pursue subscribing to a service, such as an electronic encyclopedia,
over the Internet. Also towers and all they involve are not cheap, and
so you may want to wait for Internet access if you do not already have
it.
3.  Good idea
4.  I do not believe you need a license for every network drop.  Our
current high school has about 500 students and we have 24 licenses and
everything seems fine.  You can always add licenses if you find that
there are a number of people who cannot use Winnebago because all
available licenses are in use.  You can spread Icons all over the
building, but only a certain number will be available for use at one
time.  Think about it, not every computer will be using Winnebago at the
same time, will it?
5.  Not needed if you go to Winnebago Spectrum and have/go to a district
web site.  Our District has a district web site but you could also have
Winnebago provide you with a web site, or you could have an Internet
Service Provider provide you with a web site.  If you have a web site,
you can put links in it, which will take you to each of the buildings
who are using Spectrum.  Hence you have a Union Catalog and your patrons
can access your OPAC's too if they have computers.
6.  It is always nice to have things ready for the start of the school
year, but have a fall back plan, beacause these installs always seem to
take longer than projected.
7.  Good idea -- with this suggestion -- do no training unless the
people who are being trained can immediately go back to their work area
and work on or with the products or software.

**********************************************************************
Bernard Droste
     District Coordinator of Technology
          De Soto Schools,  De Soto, Kansas
               E-Mail  -  drosteb@unicom.net
                    Voice - 913 - 583 - 8300
                         Fax - 913 - 583 - 8303
                             Web Site - http://www.usd232.k12.ks.us/
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