Torbay Libraries DIGITAL STRATEGY. TORBAY COUNCIL Residents and Visitor Services

Transcription

1 Torbay Libraries DIGITAL STRATEGY TORBAY COUNCIL Residents and Visitor Services

2 CONTENTS Page 1. Context 2 2. Objectives 2 3. Existing Infrastructure 2 Staff use Public use 3 4. Achieving the objectives 3 5. Key actions for 2012/ Sustainability 5 7. Evaluation 5 8. Appendices Achievements in 2011/12 5 1

3 1. Context Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is core to our service provision and management and faced with reducing budgets, increasing demand from both our users and the government and requirements for library staff to continue to provide an excellent service, we need to consider all aspects of our provision, use of IT and also the needs of our communities whilst minimising cost and maximising use. 2. Objectives 1. To promote social and digital inclusion by enabling access to IT facilities 2. To support the ICT learning needs of adults and children 3. To maximise the availability of library content for all users 4. To train library staff to use IT hard and software and support the public in its use 5. To work with the community to support access to IT for all 6. To work with partners to identify and achieve best practice 7. To plan for the sustainability of IT provision 3. Existing infrastructure Staff use General office software, e mail, Internet and Intranet access are provided by Torbay Council s IT Services on a staff network. The library management system is provided by Axiell OpenGalaxy. Public use in the library: Computers provide access to: The catalogue (including reservations, renewal, personal information (with PIN)) Internet (including the Council Website and e mail access. Please see it policy2010.pdf for the public access policy Word processing, spreadsheets and photo editing software A variety of CD ROM based information Community information Self issue kiosks provide issue, renewal and return of books and audio visual items and account management for library users Oasis provides IT training at Torquay and Paignton libraries for children not receiving mainstream schooling. UKonline funding provides free basic IT training for adults Public use online: The libraries website gives access to a range of information available 24/7 This includes Ancestry Online, Cyberlibrary, Encyclopaedia Britannica Online (including the Children s Britannica), Enquire, Newsbank, Oxford English Dictionary online, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2

4 and Oxford Reference Online, Times digital Archive The Times newspaper from and Overdrive ebooks and eaudio for use on home PCs: out of the library only using: 4. Achieving the objectives 1. To promote social and digital inclusion by enabling access to IT facilities Assess the need for upgrading and replacing PCs as we will need to move to Windows 7 in the near future. Look for potential funding. Aim to replace PCs in blocks for consistency in training and usage; we will also need to consider the potential impact of the move on our current software. The filter, while very efficient, is overly rigid and we need to continue to push for its development, and look into other options. The method of delivery of services needs to be considered, both in terms of functionality, cost and broadening services. For instance, the potentials of thin client, Saas (software as a service) cloud computing and Open Source software will be looked into. The soft and hardware available for people with special needs to be assessed Enable WIFI provision at Paignton library this year 2. To support the ICT learning needs of adults and children Continue to provide free basic IT sessions for adults while we have funding Continue to support Oasis for children not in mainstream school Provide training sessions on the safe use of the internet Assess the possibilities of grant funding to support ICT learning for adults and children in the future 3. To maximise the availability of library content for all users Archive and assess Torbytes and its future use Digitisation of photographs and text based information in the local studies section would expand the online information available a bid for grant funding will be made for this Implement: Catalogue improvements function for overdues and reservations to borrowers gather addresses ready for this The website will be reassessed and potentials for improvement in terms of functionality, information provision and interactivity. 4. To train library staff to use IT kit and software and support the public in its use Hard and software will be assessed and upgraded where possible to improve speed and effectiveness of staff use continuous process Investigate the development of soft and hardware for IT learning (for instance the 23 things) Update the IT guidance/help sheets and consider links to training databases 5. To work with the community to support access to IT for all 3

5 TAL (Talk about Local) helping Community groups create their own websites with free software Develop the use of volunteers to support new learners Outreach into social housing To consult with IT users and non users to help develop IT provision. The next major survey is due in To work with partners to identify and achieve best practice Attend CUSP, SWRLS and SWACL e group meetings to gain their input 7. To plan for the sustainability of IT provision To work with the Future Libraries project to achieve efficiencies 5. Key Actions for 20012/13: Chip n pin Aim to get this facility installed and working at each library Digitisation Apply for funding to digitise old photographs and documents to make them easily available online Grant Funding Assess possibilities for all areas in the library services Internet safety Provide How to be safe online talks by a CEOP trained tutor Network provision Work with SWGfL (South West Grid for Learning) to upgrade bandwidth provision and filter use Open source software Investigate the possibilities of working with other authorities Volunteers To develop the involvement of volunteers to support IT based events and projects Website improvements Implement further catalogue tidy Explore the possible display of Ebook/Eaudio records in main library catalogue notices development WiFi Enable WIFI access at Paignton Library 4

6 6. Sustainability To continue to: 1. Evaluate current costs and options to get best value 2. Evaluate services to look for more efficient methods of delivery 3. Apply for and use grant funding where appropriate 4. Market services to improve their use 7. Evaluation Evaluate the strategy and its effectiveness regularly Review effectiveness of current technologies and potential future needs For any enquiries please contact or your local library Appendix Previous achievements Ancestors online The online genealogy website is being very well used last year it had over hits from Torbay users E books Ebook monthly update letter implemented Film club The young volunteers running the club gained a prize this year for their hard work IT survey Undertaken in Nov 2011 Oasis IT training for children not in standard schooling maintained Online Catalogue: Online registration achieved Faulty catalogue records removed Stroke Club The club and its volunteers has gained 2 prizes this year from NIACE, individual learner for the South West and Technology4good for Community impact. 5