Nesmith Library
8 Fellows Road, Windham, NH 03087

Technology Plan 2003-2005

Three Year Plan

Library Technology Committee:

                        , Library Director

                            , Library Assistant Director

        Eric DeLong,  Town Information Technology Director

         Windham Technical Advisory Committee

     

Table of Contents

Nesmith Library History……………………………………                            3

Mission Statement.……………………………………………                           4

Goals of Service………………………………………………¼                          4

Meeting Our Service Goals…………………………………                           5

Integrating Technology into Service…………………                            5

Inventory of Equipment…………………………………¼                            6

Online Databases…………………………………………¼¼                          7

In House Reference Software……………………………                            9

In House Children’s Software……………………………                            9

Other Software……………………………………………¼                            11

Future Acquisitions……………………………………….…                           12

Funding the Library………………………………………¼                          13

Staff Training………………………………………………¼¼                         13

Evaluating the Technology Plan…………………………                        14

Nesmith Library History :

In April 1871 Colonel Thomas Nesmith bequeathed funds for the establishment of a town library.  The first books were purchased and set up for lending in the upper town hall anteroom in May of 1871.  The  Nesmith Library was formally opened  there in June 1871.

             At a special town meeting in June of 1898, residents voted to grant approval for the construction of a library building.  George Washington Armstrong donated the building to the town in loving memory of his ancestors.  Upon completion of the Armstrong Memorial Building, the Nesmith Library moved into its new space and was dedicated on January 4, 1899. 

          The 1898 population of 900 residents showed great foresight in building the Nesmith Library with the capacity to hold 10,000 volumes.  It would be many years before expansion was needed. 

          The Nesmith Library Board of Trustees voted in 1965 to join the Statewide Library Development Program.  The Bookmobile began visiting the Library several times a year from the NH State Library lending books to expand the existing collections.   At the request of the library, a volunteer fund- raising group was formed in 1966.  The Friends of the Library of Windham (FLOW) have been fundraising and purchasing supplementary equipment, technology, programs, and materials on an increasing scale ever since.

          As the town grew, Library programs and services expanded to accommodate the changing needs of the community.  Population explosions found the school libraries unable to keep pace with the rapidly growing demands.  Story Hours, Summer Reading Programs, Book Discussion Groups, School visits, Films, Exhibits, and Home-Bound Outreach were added to the Library services.

In January 1975 the NH Library Commission awarded the Nesmith Library a certificate in recognition of meeting qualification standards under the Statewide Library Development Program.  This was the culmination of 10 years of effort to reach this goal.  During this time a program of Memorial Books began adding many fine volumes to the collection.

          With 8,909 volumes in the collection in 1975, circulation numbers soared to 20,078 a year.  By 1985 there were 18,258 volumes with 40,805 items in yearly circulation.  The Library staff began taking advantage of Training Sessions offered by the State Library to keep pace with the expanding demands for service. 

          The collection grew to 24,536 volumes in 1990 with 57,265 items in yearly circulation.  It had been obvious for some time that space requirements were in need of immediate attention.  Each year’s statistics served to fan the fires of debate as to how best to solve the problem.  Once again the town meeting became the forum for residents to voice their desires concerning the Nesmith Library.

          In 1997 the new 12,000 square foot Nesmith Library facility opened after 10 years of debate, 1 year of fundraising, and 2 years of planning, design and building.  The move from the original Armstrong Memorial Building to the newly constructed facility proved to be an incredible feat as 83 town volunteers, coordinated as an Eagle Scout project, relocated 36,318 volumes without a hitch. 

          Now, five years after moving into our facility, we have 57,275 volumes in the collection with a yearly circulation of 111,480 items.  The Nesmith Library budget continues to be augmented by gifts of equipment, service, and programs from volunteers, organizations, and corporations.  Although the town population has grown to over 12,000 residents, we have retained the spirit of a community working together to ensure the best future for our children and ourselves.     

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Nesmith Library is to provide access to informational, educational, cultural, and recreational library materials and services in a variety of formats and technologies; to be responsive to the public library needs of the community; and to support the principle of intellectual freedom as a foundation of a free society.

Adopted November 13, 2001  

In accordance with this mission, the Nesmith Library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights, Access to Electronic Information, Services and Network  (an interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights), and other policies on intellectual freedom authored by the American Library Association, and available in the fifth edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual, 6th ed.  Ó 2002, published by the ALA.

Goals of Service:

The following goals will fulfill the Library’s mission:

1.     To provide sufficient materials to meet current and projected community needs.

2.     To assure open access to all library materials for all patrons.

3.     To obtain a diversity of materials of varying viewpoints.

4.     To meet the needs of patrons with a variety of reading and educational levels.

5.     To expand library usage to those in the community who are not now library patrons.

6.     To contribute constructively to the individual’s awareness of self and community while providing insight into a wide range of human and social conditions and varying cultural heritage.

7.     To encourage informal self-education.

8.     To measure the effectiveness of the collection in meeting the needs of our patron community.

Meeting our service goals:

We plan to use technology to meet the service goals of the Library as we analyze usage data produced by the Follett Circulation System.  These statistics enable us to focus  on  where our patrons’ interests lie.  Special interest areas of the collection can be expanded as low interest areas are weeded down.  The library promotes its varied programs through the Internet and local and regional news media.  Individual and community self-education is promoted through the use of books, audiotapes, videotapes, compact discs, and a variety of online Internet sources. The effectiveness of our entire collection is monitored and adjusted to best serve our patrons.

Integrating Technology into Service:

We currently have five computer stations devoted to public access to the Internet, all in the adult services room.  During the next year we plan to install one Internet access computer in the children’s room.  We also plan to install an Internet workstation for quick  (15 minute maximum) email or Internet searches only on a first come first serve basis.

          In addition, we have four computers in the library devoted to  access to the library’s online catalog.  The library’s online catalog is available on the world wide web via our Internet homepage.  Patrons have the ability to look at our collection on the web, and they can make reserve requests and interlibrary loan requests from their home computers.

          Through the generosity of the Friends of the Library of Windham (F.L.O.W.), we have two computers in the children’s room dedicated to educational games. 

Inventory of Equipment:

There are currently 29 computers in use in the library. A complete description is available at the library in the printed copy of the Technology Plan.

Online Databases:

AncestryPlus – This is an enhanced version of Ancestry.com’s genealogical database that provides information on one billion names, more than 3,000 databases, primary search documents, and a variety of genealogical research tools.  AncestryPlus includes access to Gale Group’s Passenger and Immigrations Lists Index and Biography and Genealogy Master Index.

Business Source Elite – Provides full text coverage for 1,075 business periodicals ranging from general magazines to trade publications and top management journals.  Detailed company profiles from Datamonitor will soon be included for the world’s 5,000 largest companies.  This subscription is made available through a contract arrangement between the New Hampshire State Library and the vendor.

EBSCO Masterfile Premier – This database offers access to 1,900 periodicals.  Articles are available in full-text or abstracts. This database also contains full text for more than 160 reference books, 88,000 biographies, and 60,000 primary source documents. This subscription is made available through a contract arrangement between the New Hampshire State Library and the vendor.

Electric Library – A user friendly database offering over 618 magazines, 126 newspapers, 2700 maps, 140,000 images, and 71 TV and Radio transcripts.  Reference works available include the Complete Works of Shakespeare, Lesko’s Information Power, Hutchinson’s Dictionary of Arts, The Frommer’s Series and the Passport Books, Monarch Notes, and more.  Electric Library is 100% full-text and offers an average of 6 years of backfile, with some coverage back as far as 1981.

Facts.com – Offers over 70,000 full-text articles from Facts on File World News Digest.  It includes regular wire-service updates from Reuters, and more than 1000 special overview articles, historic documents, maps, photos, country profiles and biographies.  There is also selected content from Issues and Controversies on File, Today’s Science on File, The World Almanac and Book of Facts, and more.

First Search – This database of books held by public, special academic and business libraries around the world, enables the reference librarian to search for titles unavailable within New Hampshire.

Health Source: Consumer Edition – This database is the richest collection of consumer health information available to libraries worldwide.  Provides access to more than 300 full text consumer health periodicals, more than 1,000 health-related pamphlets, and 20 health reference books.  This subscription is made available through a contract arrangement between the New Hampshire State Library and the vendor.

Kiplinger’s Finance and Forecasts – This is a continuously updated, fully searchable database of all Kiplinger personal finance and business publications dating from 1996.  This database attempts to reveal what’s likely to happen next in business, the economy, personal finance, regulation and legislation, and public policy.

Learn-A-Test – This provides a wide variety of practice tests for preparation of such tests as 4th and 8th grade reading, GED, SAT, postal workers and other civil service exams, ASVAB, U.S. Citizenship, and Real Estate.

Library Journal – Included with our paid subscription to Library Journal, this database includes access to articles and will soon include access to book reviews.

Middle Search Plus – Contains full text for more than 140 popular middle school magazines and primary search documents. This subscription is made available through a contract arrangement between the New Hampshire State Library and the vendor.

National Ad Search – Included with our paid subscription to National Ad Search, this database offers advertisements for jobs nationwide.

New England Ancestors – Included with our paid membership to the New  England Genealogical and Historical Society, this database includes both The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1847 – 2001; and The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633.  It also includes hundreds of articles, updated frequently, from “how-to’s” to genealogies and problem-solving techniques.  Also includes posting of queries and list surnames to help with genealogical research.

Newsbank – A database offering full-text articles from over 500 local and regional newspaper, wire services and broadcasts.  In additional, the 1970-1991 Retrospective component includes background on more recent issues and events surrounding contemporary American history.

Newspaper Source – This database provides selected full text coverage for more than 200 newspapers, newswires, and other sources.  Also included are transcripts from Face the Nation, CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, 60 Minutes, O’Reilly Factory, Hannity & Colmes, CNN, CNBC, and more. This subscription is made available through a contract arrangement between the New Hampshire State Library and the vendor.

NoveList  - This database provides enhanced subject access to over 100,000 fiction titles, and is used both for reader’s advisory and to aid in book discussions.

Primary Search -  Contains full text for more than 50 popular elementary school magazines, Encyclopedia of Animals, Funk & Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia, and American Heritage Children’s Dictionary, 3rd ed.  This subscription is made available through a contract arrangement between the New Hampshire State Library and the vendor.

Science News – Included with our paid subscription to Science News, this database includes articles on timely scientific research geared toward high school students.

Smart Computing – Included with our paid subscription to Smart Computing magazine, this offers articles and product evaluations on all aspects of computers geared toward home and small business use.

TOPICsearch – This current events database allows researchers to explore social, political, and economic issues, scientific discoveries, and other popular topics discussed in today’s classrooms.  Contains full text for over 50,000 articles from more than 3,000 diverse sources including international and regional newspapers.  This subscription is made available through a contract arrangement between the New Hampshire State Library and the vendor.

In House Reference software:  

Bodyworks 3.0: An Adventure in Anatomy

Culture Grams Deluxe ed. 2002

Early New Hampshire Periodicals and 1874 Gazetteer

Encarta Encyclopedia 2000

Encyclopedia of United States Endangered Species

Family Tree Maker’s Family Archives:

1)     Complete Book of Emigrants,  1607-1776

2)     English Origins of New England Families,  1500s-1800s

3)     Family Archive Viewer, Version 4.0

Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition

Thomas Register 2002

World Book Medical Encyclopedia

In House Children’s software:

In 2002 the Children’s Librarian purchased 50+ educational games for the children’s room game computers.  We decided to install just a fraction of them now, and install others as the present ones wear out or as needed in the future.  Our current list of games available follows:

Amazon Trail Rainforest Adventures

Arthur’s Birthday

Arthur’s Teacher Trouble

Big Job

Carmen Sandiego Word Detective

Carmen Sandiego Math Detective

Carmen Sandiego Junior Detective Edition

Dinosaur Dig Cyberadventure

Disney’s Winnie the Pooh Toddler

Freddi Fish and Luther’s Maze Madness

Geosafari  (Ages 8 & up)

I See Sue the T-Rex

Just Grandma and Me

Kid Pix Deluxe Studio

Knowledge Muncher’s Deluxe

Leap Ahead First Grade!

Leap Ahead Kindergarten!

Leap Ahead Phonics!

Lego Island

Lego My Style Preschool

Magic School Bus Explores Inside the Earth  (Ages 6-10)

Magic School Bus Explores the Age of Dinosaurs  (Ages 6-10)

Magic School Bus Explores the Human Body  (Ages 6-10)

Magic School Bus Explores the Ocean  (Ages 6-10)

Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System  (Ages 6-10)

Marc Brown’s Arthur’s Teacher Trouble  (Ages 3-7)

Math Rock

Milkcap Mazes Virtual Entertainment  (Ages 5-11)

My Personal Tutor  (Ages 3-7):

Alphabet Playhouse (My Personal Tutor series)

Mathopolis (My Personal Tutor series)

Reader Railway (My Personal Tutor series)

Preschool Workshop (My Personal Tutor series)

Reader Rabbit’s Toddler

Reader Rabbit’s Preschool

Reader Rabbit’s Math

Reader Rabbit’s Reading

School House Rocks

SimTown: The Town You Build Yourself

Thinking Games

Ultimate Children’s Encyclopedia

Ultimate Writing and Creativity Center

Way Things Work

Where in the U.S.A. is Carmen Sandiego?

Winnie the Pool and the Honey Tree

 Other Software:

Two Circulation Workstations with Follett Library Automation System.

Five Internet Workstations:  Microsoft Word 2000, Excel 2000, Powerpoint, Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape Navigator 4.08

One Word Processing Workstation – Microsoft Word, Excel 2000, Powerpoint

Four OPAC Workstations:  Follett OPAC

Two Network Printers:  Lexmark Optra S 1650

All Staff Computers include:  Microsoft Office 2000, Internet Explorer 6.0; Follett Library Automation System.

Some Staff Computers include:  Kodak Picture Software to transfer photos from a digital camera; HP ScanJet software; Paint Shop Pro 6.0, Tel-Net, Quicken Deluxe 99.

The library installed a new  server in July 2002 with Windows 2000 operating system. 

A computer display projector was purchased by F.L.O.W. to be available for meetings and presentations.

Future Projects and Acquisitions:

Along with the growth of the library’s technology comes the ongoing responsibility of maintenance and support.  The daily backup of critical information and the regular audit of the backup media to insure it can be used to restore data.

A goal for next year will be to complete a set of documentation describing the existing architecture including the network components and pathways.  Equally important are the various subsystems, both hardware and software.  A procedure manual will describe how to accomplish regular systems tasks such as updating software and maintaining user accounts and security.

The library has a fractional T1 line for high-speed Internet connection.  The addition of more workstations will allow service to more patrons simultaneously.  Overall speed of the LAN will be upgraded from 10Mbits/sec to 100Mbits/sec. 

We plan to upgrade computer technology on a rotating basis, purchasing five computers per year to replace existing computers on an as-needed basis, all with Windows 2000 Professional as an operating system.  We will add a computer for the children’s room staff to use as a circulating computer. 

Patron laptop support services will be offered via 10-BaseT connections to outlets on tables and desks.  Wireless technology based on 802.11g will also be made available on a protected subnet.

Upgrades of existing software, including anti-virus, backup, email and firewall software will be purchased as needed.

Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) units will be purchased to protect the circulation desk computers and to add to the protection of the servers.

Patron requests for color output will be addressed with the challenge being how to properly recover the costs of the expensive ink cartridges.

At least one CD-ROM burner will be available for patron use and CD-ROMS will be available for purchase.

We are looking to share access of our catalog information with the Windham school system catalogs in what Follett calls a union catalog.

We are also looking into merging our ComDial telephone service with that of town hall’s so that the library can take advantage of voice mail, added extensions, and other features not currently available at the library.

Funding the Library:

The Nesmith Library Budget 2003 has several line items designated for procurement and operation of  Library technology :

‘Library Computer Services’ for database subscriptions, software, and systems support contracts. 

‘Communications’ budgets for Internet Access and Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS).

‘Electronic Cataloging’ for cataloging media and support.

We plan to adjust these budget figures to accommodate both inflation and increased usage as is needed and appropriate.

The Library is also supported by the Friends of the Library of Windham (FLOW). This group of volunteers sponsors activities throughout the year for the express purpose of supporting the Library through fundraising and the purchase of equipment and software.  In addition, we receive donations from patrons, town organizations and corporations for the acquisition of technology.

The Nesmith Library Budget 2003 also has a line item ‘Equipment Maintenance’ for upkeep and repair.

Expendable items (i.e. paper, toner, discs, tapes) are funded through the ‘Computer Supplies’ line item. 

Staff Training:

A Staff Education Policy is currently being created.  In lieu of this completed document, the Library Board of Trustees has supported reimbursement for staff training and education on an individual basis. The Trustees endorse training and education in order to better serve the community and patrons.

The Nesmith Library Budget provides for training under the line item of ‘Dues and Meetings’.

The Staff has taken advantage of training sessions offered by the New Hampshire State Library as well as in-house training offered by some of the companies whose equipment is installed at the facility. In addition, the Reference Librarian will begin technology and web page language classes with New Horizons in order to maintain a top-notch web site.  Some of these classes include Advanced HTML, JavaScript, Power Point, Front Page, and Publisher.

The Assistant Director/IT Librarian and the Windham Town Information Technology Director (IT) are available as needed for assistance, maintenance, and staff training.

Evaluating the Technology Plan:

The Windham Library Technology Plan is a living document that will be monitored regularly and evaluated yearly.  We will check the objectives and make any needed adjustments.  We plan to involve the Staff, patrons, the Information Technology Director (IT), the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), volunteers, Town Officials, and educators in this evaluation.  We will make any necessary adjustments to guide the future needs and direction of this plan for the Library. 

 

Phone: 603-432-7154

Fax: 603-537-0097