Wisconsin Library Technology Strategic Plan

Progress Summary and Implementation Plan
of the
Goals and Objectives
(September, 2007)

In October 1998 the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (Division) published the Wisconsin Library Technology Strategic Plan. Below are the 2005 updated goals and objectives of the plan and a summary on the progress and implementation of the goals. Division staff and the Library Information Technology Advisory Committee will periodically review and update the plan's goals and objectives and the summary and implementation sections as needed. The intent is to keep these two parts of the plan updated to reflect changes in the implementation and use of technology in libraries.

If you have any questions on this information, contact Bob Bocher, Technology Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (608-266-2127, fax 608-266-2529, robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov). The technology plan is on the Web at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/techplan.html and this summary is at http://dpi.wi.gov//pld/techplanup.html.

Goals and Objectives

As befits a strategic plan, the goals and objectives listed below are broadly stated. More specific implementation processes have been developed to accomplish the goals and objectives (see the Progress Summary and Implementation Plan section below). The goals and objectives focus primarily on the Department of Public Instruction's statutory commission to promote and develop networks to foster interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing among all types of libraries. It is hoped, however, that all types of libraries will find common ground with many of these goals and their related implementation processes.

The goals and objectives below are based on the following principles:

1. The statewide network enables participation by all types and sizes of libraries and provides core resource sharing services. The level of library participation will vary and be determined by various factors including size of library, type of library and the library's mission.
   
   
2. The evolving library network will build on existing networks and services. When feasible, the Department of Public Instruction will assist in the creation of new networks and facilitate library access to these networks in coordination with other groups and agencies. The statewide network will also work with networks and organizations in other states.
   
   
3. Development of collections in all formats is primarily a local responsibility. Individual library collections are, and will remain, a critical element in meeting the information needs of the state's residents. The use of technology to enhance access to remote information resources augments local collections. Technology and participation in library networks is not a substitute for well developed and supported local library collections.
   
   
4. When feasible, access to information in electronic formats should be available statewide and implemented in a manner that demonstrates, complements and strengthens the role of local libraries.

Goal 1	Objectives
All residents have access to a statewide library network which provides access to information from libraries and other locations.	All libraries in Wisconsin will have direct Internet access to facilitate participation in library and information networks. Integrated library information systems are linked to the network, including shared and individual automated library systems and interlibrary loan and reference referral systems. The state union catalog, WISCAT, is linked to the network and facilitates access to library resources. Through the BadgerLink Website maintained by the Division, the state assists in funding full-text databases and other information resources available in electronic format to all Wisconsin libraries and residents. Key publications, particularly state and local government materials and rare historical materials, are digitized and made accessible via the network. Electronic services for people with visual, physical and cognitive disabilities are provided. Virtual reference services are provided to Wisconsin residents by library staff.
Goal 2	Objectives
Libraries have collections that meet the needs of their primary clientele and are also available to other Wisconsin residents through a statewide library network.	The state financially supports the structure to provide the sharing of materials statewide. The state facilitates the development of shared automated systems to enhance resource sharing. Automated interlibrary loan, which incorporates appropriate policy and technical protocols, is an integral part of the network. The state facilitates and supports the digitization of local library materials and statewide access to these materials.
Goal 3	Objectives
A comprehensive materials delivery system supports the sharing of library materials throughout the state.	The Delivery Services Advisory Committee continues to provide guidance as the statewide delivery system develops. Public library systems continue to develop delivery services to meet the needs of their members and include other types of libraries when feasible. Contracts and agreements facilitate the participation of all types of libraries as the delivery system develops. Electronic delivery options are explored and built into the statewide library network as they become service- and cost-effective. The state will explore the relationship between local, regional, and statewide print and electronic collection development.
Goal 4	Objectives
Training for library staff and patrons is incorporated at every level of a statewide library network.	Training will be provided by a wide variety of organizations including public library systems, Cooperative Education Service Agencies, libraries, and other educational institutions, organizations and associations. Technical training is developed and implemented across the state for all features of a statewide library network. The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning coordinates training for accessing specific information resources that it supports (e.g., WISCAT/WISCATILL, BadgerLink full-text databases, interlibrary loan). Strategies for ensuring technical expertise at local and regional levels are developed. User groups are organized to ensure ongoing support and feedback for all aspects of the network. The new BadgerNet telecommunications network will be used to enhance training through use of web-based training, video-streaming, and real-time training.
Goal 5	Objectives
The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning takes the lead in facilitating implementation of a statewide library network.	The Division establishes ongoing communication and interaction with all types of libraries, library groups, the education community and other organizations in the state to continue supporting access to local, regional, statewide, and national library networks. Reports on implementation of this plan are included in the mandatory biennial reports of the Division to the Council on Library and Network Development and shared with other interest groups and the public. The Division develops specifications and bid documents and contracts for services to enhance development of a statewide library network and access to content via that network. The Division works with other agencies and organizations to insure that Wisconsin libraries have adequate bandwidth to meet the changing uses of the Internet and Web. The Division facilitates network development and access via projects funded by the Library Services and Technology Act. The Division continues to advocate for funding to assist libraries with their technology needs. The Division collaborates with other libraries and library organizations in developing a public relations effort to raise public, legislative and gubernatorial awareness of the benefits of a statewide library network and to promote support for it.

Progress Summary and Implementation Plan: 2007-2009

Below are the more specific implementation steps and processes that have been developed, or that are projected for development, to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Library Technology Strategic Plan.

Access to Networked Information

Goal 1: All residents have access to a statewide library network which provides access to information from libraries and other locations.

Internet access and statewide networking

For information on Internet access and statewide networking, see Goal 5 below.

Statewide catalogs and interlibrary loan management systems

Progress summary

During 2004 and 2005, the Division staff conducted many planning activities in preparation for development of an RFP for Wisconsin Resource Sharing and Information Access. The RFP was released April 4, 2006. Four vendors responded: Auto-Graphics, OCLC, SirsiDynix, and WebFeat. In November 2006, the Division contracted with Auto-Graphics, Inc. for the Agent union catalog, virtual catalog, and interlibrary loan management system for the new WISCAT service. The new WISCAT has allowed for easier combined searching of the union and virtual catalogs, more flexible lender string construction, and filtering of library requests and meets the requirements developed for it.

Academic libraries and some public library systems and other types of libraries use OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing and BadgerCat as national and state union catalogs and for interlibrary loan management.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Implement SIP or NCIP protocols to integrate the WISCAT interlibrary loan management system with shared and local automated library systems.
2. Implement ISO protocols to allow interlibrary loan management systems to share information with each other with emphasis on ILLiad and OCLC.
3. Provide URL linking with WISCAT and BadgerLink and other resources.
4. Continue to enhance the WISCAT software.
5. Provide consultation and technical assistance to libraries using WISCAT and OCLC.
6. Develop statewide interlibrary loan statistics for WISCAT, OCLC, and DOCLINE, and other automated interlibrary systems.

BadgerLink

Progress summary

The Division received $2,030,500 for 2006-2007 to continue the BadgerLink service. The Division issued an RFP in 2003 to select future vendors. As a result of the RFP, the Division continued to contract with two primary vendors to provide full text materials: EBSCO will provides access to over 11,000 magazines, journals, reference materials and other full text titles, and ProQuest will provide access to over 700 newspapers, including 12 Wisconsin papers. Additional services provided included Thomson/Gale's LitFinder, TeachingBooks.com, NewspaperArchive Elite, and Ethnic NewsWatch and many additional magazine and newspaper titles were added to other databases.

Wisconsin residents and library staff made approximately 19 million searches per year between 2006 and 2007. Division staff conducted training sessions, registered 198 Internet Service Providers and 975 libraries, and maintained a listserv for news updates. The Division began development of a BadgerLink Toolkit to assist parents and staff in using and promoting BadgerLink. The Division will have to rebid Badgerlink during 2008.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Promote BadgerLink to Wisconsin libraries and residents through continued development of a BadgerLink Toolkit.
2. Provide ongoing training for BadgerLink and improve training information on the website.
3. Improve existing and develop additional Wisconsin databases including library directory information, digital collections, and education, library, and government information sites.
4. Continue to improve authentication strategies and methods.
5. Improve the accuracy of statistical information and provide more ongoing statistics on BadgerLink use.
6. Encourage all types of libraries to create a prominent link to BadgerLink on the library's website.
7. Improve the process for notifying users of changes to BadgerLink databases, interfaces, and services.
8. Develop an RFP and select content for the 2009-2014 time period.
9. Investigate the best means of providing federated searching of BadgerLink, WISCAT, OCLC, and other resources and implement if funding is available.
10. Provide linking between BadgerLink resources and WISCAT and Google.

Virtual reference services

Progress summary

Beginning in 2006, the Division funded statewide 24/7 reference services (Ask?Away) using OCLC QuestionPoint. In 2007 in collaboration with a national consortium, 31 public library systems, academic and technical college libraries, the Reference and Loan Library, and WiLS provide staff to answer questions. All Wisconsin libraries may choose to place the Ask?Away logo and link on their web site so that their patrons can take part in this chat service.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Continue to provide Reference and Loan Library weekly staffing for the 24/7 program.
2. Work with libraries to increase the total number of staffing hours.
3. Continue to develop and provide best practice training for participants.
4. Increase the number of libraries providing access to Ask?Away on their websites.
5. Develop a means of compiling and posting Ask?Away statistics on the Division website.
6. Develop a long-term plan for managing and funding the Ask?Away program.

Digitization of government information and historical materials

Progress summary

The Division worked to improve access to digital information whether it was borne digital or created from materials in other formats.

The Division staff continued to work with the Department of Administration, Division of Electronic Government (DOA/DEG) on the state portal project in order to provide better access to state government information for Wisconsin libraries and citizens. Reference and Loan Library staff helped state agencies metatag their Web pages through consultation and training, development of a thesaurus of terms describing state government services, and incorporation of the thesaurus to create a subject directory for the state portal.

The Division purchased a license to the OCLC Digital Archive and began to archive and preserve state government documents. Division staff also took part in federal projects to develop an ongoing process for preservation and archiving of state government documents. A strong collaboration has been developed with the Wisconsin Historical Society, Legislative Reference Bureau, and the State Law Library to catalog archived information and make it available to the public.

The Division has allocated LSTA funds to digitize local history materials for public libraries and state government agencies. Local historical societies have taken part in some public library projects. The projects have been done in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center (UWDCC). University of Wisconsin-Madison staff has trained local library staff, provided templates for creating metadata, scanned materials, and incorporated completed projects into the Wisconsin Collection website.

Wisconsin Library Services (WiLS) worked with other agencies to initiate a major statewide planning effort for digitization programs called Wisconsin Heritage Online. The University of Wisconsin developed a gateway for searching Wisconsin digital collections. The Wisconsin Historical Society hosts a ContentDM Server for use by libraries wanting to outsource storage and access of their digital records and objects.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Work with DOA/DEG to develop better search page results and advanced searching functions for the state portal.
2. Continue and expand work with state government agencies to use the Wisconsin Digital Archive to preserve state government information.
3. Continue to collaborate with and support the work of the Wisconsin Heritage Online project.
4. Allocate LSTA funds to digitize and archive other library resources by working with the UWDCC.

Electronic services for people with visual and physical disabilities

Progress summary

The Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped continues to provide online access to available materials. Access to OverDrive materials was begun in 2006 with assistance from the South Central Library System.

The Regional Library and the Division continue to provide access to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) NewsLine service. This service allows people with visual and physical handicaps to dial in to a server and listen to over 100 newspapers including national and local newspapers being read by an electronic voice. There are over 2,000 registered Wisconsin users of the NFB NewsLine service. The Regional Library provides technical support for NFB NewsLine. NFB NewsLine also provides email access to newspaper articles.

The Regional Library will work with the Library of Congress National Library Service (NLS) to implement the new digital book format for users. The NLS is in the process of developing a new format using flash cards and new equipment. The state budget allocated funding for a new server to allow the Regional Library to make copies of frequently used materials for users.

The Division hosts the Regional Library website.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Add four additional local newspapers to NFB NEWSLINE including titles from northern Wisconsin.
2. Continue to promote NEWSLINE and provide technical support to users.
3. Plan for and implement the new digital book format that will be provided by the National Library Service in 2008-2009.

Collection development

Goal 2: Libraries have collections that meet the needs of their primary clientele and are also available to other Wisconsin residents through a statewide library network.

Progress summary

The majority of Wisconsin library collections are now a part of WISCAT union or virtual catalogs or OCLC, and most titles individuals are looking for can be identified and borrowed within Wisconsin. BadgerLink provides access to electronic full-text information from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials to supplement local library resources. Wisconsin Library Services (WiLS) provides cooperative consortium licenses for approximately 34 vendors with over 200 products. Libraries that are WiLS members are eligible for discounts for these products. WiLS also works with academic and public library consortia to make e books available to libraries.

WiLS uses Ariel software to send information to users, and also uses a locally developed program called e DOC to provide electronic delivery of documents.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Maintain current contracts for BadgerLink and add new resources as feasible during the 2008 rebid process.
2. Monitor WiLS cooperative purchasing agreements to determine which products and services libraries use most frequently.
3. Support resource sharing among libraries.

Delivery Services

Goal 3: A comprehensive material delivery system supports the sharing of library materials throughout the state.

Progress summary

South Central Library System has built a statewide backbone delivery service that connects public library systems and academic libraries. The Northern Waters Library System is connected through a connection point in Wausau. Other libraries, including schools, are involved through the public library system or as individual libraries connected to the backbone.

The Division appoints a statewide Delivery Services Advisory Committee with representatives from all types of libraries. The committee has worked on analyzing needs, developing pricing scenarios, looking at ways to include more types of libraries, and recommending best practices and policies as needed.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Evaluate the increased delivery service traffic created by the growth of local automated systems, OCLC, and WISCAT,which includes a gateway to search local automated systems.
2. Continue to incorporate all types of libraries into the delivery service with emphasis on correctional institutions, technical colleges, and school libraries.
3. Evaluate methods of electronic delivery of non-book/audiovisual materials to library staff or users.
4. Develop delivery service best practices to promote effective use of the delivery services.
5. Monitor cost increases for the four northern library systems currently using WALTCO.

Training

Goal 4: Training for library staff and patrons is incorporated at every level of a statewide library network.

Progress summary

The Division provides training on the use of WISCAT and BadgerLink using WisLine and regional workshops. Historically, the DPI's library Division has also collaborated with local libraries and intermediate service units (e.g., CESAs, public library systems) and other agencies (e.g., WiLS) to conduct technology training and technology-related continuing education programming for their constituents.

Since 2004, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has provided training funding through several grants. Most of the grant funding was used by Wisconsin's 17 regional public library systems to offer workshops and other support for technology to their member libraries. In the spring of 2007 division staff conducted 12 training sessions around the state focusing on technology sustainability in small public libraries. Approximately 265 librarians attended one of the sessions In addition, the Division sponsored hands-on training and printed training materials for BadgerLink and WISCAT. Linda Miller of Techworks developed and conducted six new training programs for public libraries. The Division's WISDOM listing (WISconsin Data On Meetings, http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/wisdom.html) includes technology training workshops and related continuing education activities from a wide variety of sponsors.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Review the role that the Division has in the area of technology education and training.
2. Allocate LSTA funds for technology-related continuing education activities.
3. Work with public library systems to implement training grants from the Gates Foundation.
4. Continue professional development of school library professionals, classroom teachers, and school administrators.

Division Role in Network Implementation

Goal 5: The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning takes the lead in facilitating implementation of a statewide library network.

Progress summary

As of March 2003, all Wisconsin public libraries had Internet access available for the public. Furthermore, by 2005 all of the state's 387 public libraries had broadband (high-speed) Internet access. About 95% of public libraries broadband access is via data circuits provided by the state's TEACH program and the state's BadgerNet statewide telecommunications network. These circuits are heavily subsidized through the state's universal service funds. The TEACH program provides data circuits to every public library and branch in the state at only $100/month for speeds below 1.54 mbps or $250/month for speeds above 1.54mbps. The total annual subsidy provided by TEACH is approximately $3.1 million. The small number of libraries that do not use TEACH circuits have broadband access through their local cable provider, local phone company, or local municipal network.

Wireless Internet access for patron laptops has been a rapidly increasing service and is very popular with patrons. In 2005 just 26% of Wisconsin's public libraries offered this service. This increased to 43% in 2005. Nevertheless, Wisconsin is still behind the national average of 54% of public libraries offering wireless Internet access. In part to address this issue, the division allocated $60,000 in LSTA grant funds for 2008 to help increase wireless access.

As can be seen in the table at the right, the state's public libraries have made significant progress in implementing integrated library systems (ILS) in the past decade, although the percentage automated has remained the same over the past three years. While 95% of the state's public libraries now have integrated systems, these libraries serve over 99% of the state's population. The number of libraries in shared integrated systems continues to grow too. Eighty-five per cent of libraries are now in shared systems compared to just 61% in 2001. The increase in shared systems is partly due to continued allocations of LSTA grant funds for this purpose. Since 2002 the Division has awarded library systems just over $1.1 million in LSTA funds for start-up costs to assist public libraries to join shared ILS. (Note that most start-up and ongoing costs are borne by participating libraries and library systems.) 2007 was the last year for this grant category, although LSTA funding for 2008 included a grant category for merging existing shared integrated systems.

As can be seen in the table, the state's public libraries have made significant progress in implementing integrated library systems (ILS) in the past decade. While 94% of the state's public libraries now have integrated systems, these libraries serve over 99% of the state's population. The number of libraries in shared integrated systems continues to grow too. Eighty-five per cent of libraries are now in shared systems. The increase in shared systems is partly due to continued allocations of LSTA grant funds for this purpose.

In 2005 the Division allocated $45,000 in LSTA funds to sponsor a study on the costs of shared integrated library systems (ILS) in the state's public libraries. The ILS cost study was conducted by Networked Information Management Consultancy. At the time of the study, 82% (318 of 387) of the state's public libraries were in shared integrated library systems. Below are several major findings of the study.

• The following were noted by staff as advantages of participation in a shared ILS:
  • A large majority (87%) indicated high or very high levels of satisfaction with their shared ILS.
  • ILS membership offers access to higher quality systems with greater functionality, and staff receive better technical support than if they did not participate. Staff also noted that planning and upgrades of the ILS were done by people very knowledgeable in this area.
  • Member libraries had access to a larger and higher quality collection of materials than relying only on their local collections. This was especially beneficial to smaller libraries.

• The following were noted by staff as issues, although not necessarily disadvantages, of participation in a shared ILS:
  • There need for more ILS technical support, but recruitment of qualified staff is difficult.
  • Once a library is committed to a shared ILS there is no "turning back."
  • There is some loss of control or autonomy in local library decision making.
  • Significant net lenders of materials are not always compensated for this imbalance.

The final version of the study and links to several related articles and slides is at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/sharedils.html.

At the time of the study, all but one of the state's 17 public library systems managed the operation of a shared ILS. The Arrowhead library system, representing the public libraries in Rock County, became the seventeenth system to implement a shared ILS for its member libraries in 2007.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Continue to encourage membership in shared ILS.
2. Review the possibility of schools becoming members of shared ILS or starting their own regional shared systems.

State Network Development

Progress summary

The Division continues to work with DOA TEACH on issues related to the provision of data lines and the parallel development of library system wide area networks (WANs). Over 95% of the state's public libraries are part of regional library systems WANs. The WANs are used primarily for Internet access and to connect libraries that are part of regional shared integrated library systems.

In 2005 and 2006 the Division worked closely with the DOA's Division of Enterprise Technology to implement the new BadgerNet Converged Network (BCN). This has been a four-year planning and solicitation process which resulted in a contract signed with SBC (now AT&T) in March 2005. Migration to the BCN for the state's public libraries and K-12 schools started in January 2006 and was completed in September 2006. The migration for public libraries was coordinated by the Division working directly with BCN staff and networking staff in the state's public library systems. A total of 411 public library circuits were converted. The BadgerNet network is one of the largest state networks in the country. Division staff is represented on the BadgerNet Advisory Council which oversees network operation.

Division staff also serves on the WiscNet board. Over 70% of the state's public libraries and school districts get their Internet access and other services through WiscNet, the state's not-for-profit ISP.

Division plans for FY2007-2009

1. Work with the state's Department of Administration and the TEACH program to address public library (and school) bandwidth issues.
   1. Work with TEACH to implement a new program to increase bandwidth subsidies.
2. Work with the DOA's Division of Enterprise Technology and the education and library communities to ensure continued high quality of service on the BadgerNet Converged Network.
3. Division staff will serve on the BCN Advisory Council representing schools and libraries.
4. Continue to advocate for the network needs of Pk-12 schools and public libraries.
5. At the national level:
   1. Respond to FCC's notices regarding changes to the E-rate program.
   2. Work with ALA on various initiatives to address library bandwidth issues.
   3. Inform the state's Congressional delegation about the benefit of federal networking and funding programs that benefit school and library networking.

For questions about this information, contact Sally J. Drew (608) 224-6161

Last updated on 3/13/2009 12:29:24 PM