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Case Study

Of

Lee County Library

Technology Management Needs

Presented by: S.H. Cooper

June 20, 2008

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Lee County Library was established in 1995, after breaking from the Kinchafoonee Library System.

In 1995, there were only two library facilities:

Leesburg Library – Headquarters

Smithville Library – Service Outlet

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Staff:

1 professional librarian (Director), 5 para-professionals.

Computer literacy skills were very limited.

1995

15   TOTAL

21 1Smithville

13535Leesburg

TOTALStaff

Computers

OPAC

Stations

Public Access

Computers 

Technology in 1995

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In 1998, the new Library Director promoted a staff member to the position of Technology Specialist.

1998

15   TOTAL

21 1Smithville

13535Leesburg

TOTALStaff

Computers

OPAC

Stations

Public Access

Computers 

Technology in 1998

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Staff:

3 professional librarians (Director, Children’s Librarian, Librarian),

1 Tech Specialists, 13 para-professionals.

2 are network certified, 1 is close to completion of network certification.

The rest have a working knowledge of computers.

10 years later…2008

64   TOTAL133 10Redbone61 5Smithville4511232Leesburg

TOTALStaff

Computers

OPAC

Stations

Public Access

Computers 

Technology in 2008

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In a conference with the Director of the Lee County Library, the following situation was

discussed:

•The current Technology Specialist is pursuing her MLIS, and therefore will be becoming part-time in July 2008 to concentrate on her studies.

• In May 2009, in all probability the Tech Specialist will either be promoted to a Librarian position, or will leave to pursue her career elsewhere.

•The Library Director does not plan on filling that position when the current staff member vacates it.

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•Tech Specialist will train the other staff members to be more self-sufficient with troubleshooting common computer and printer issues.

•Tech Specialist will “tighten up” the maintenance and update procedures.

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TRAINING STAFF TO BE

SELF-SUFFICIENT

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•Updated and enhanced the existing computer support manuals for the three library locations.

•Created lesson plans and implemented computer workshops to enhance staff’s existing computer skills.

Steps Detailed

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STREAMLINING MAINTENANCE & UPDATE PROCEDURES

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•Recommended Clean Slate software, which will restore computer to original configuration after patrons download programs, save files, and attempt to change desktop settings, etc.

•Recommended Symantec Ghost software, which will allow updates to be “pushed” out to computers quicker than updating individually.

•Recommended LogMeIn software, which will allow staff members to log in to computers at other branches to facilitate in troubleshooting.

•Spare printers and other peripheral devices will be kept on hand at branch locations to avoid a staff member from headquarters making a special trip when equipment needs to be replaced.

Steps Detailed

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The previous steps were recommended and implemented successfully.

•The staff is becoming more self-reliant.

•Branches are able to handle their own tech issues in-house.

•There are a fewer number of PC issues to be fixed.