2009

Public Libraries Technology Interest Group Midwinter 2009

Meeting had a nice surprise of some new faces… with 15 people in attendance. Yea! What can you see as usefulness of a group like PLTIG? We had a lively discussion on some ideas: Competencies in technology in small & rural libraries … survey being done by Emerging Leaders. Roving Service model and the types of technologies that would support that development. This could be a place where the technical and non-technical could connect. Table talks where you could learn from an expert … Want to listen to what other libraries are doing. Look into webinars for sharing the information/content Training structures for libraries (drop-in training and mobile technology … e.g. I-touch) ACRL pre-conference on how to set up Facebook Apps; search plug-ins; widget box; Google gadgets; libex toolbar; Sometimes it’s the little libraries and how they are “making do” with smaller budgets & smaller population density… so how does…

2008

IG Chair meeting, Saturday 9 a.m.

IG Chairs that were represented at the meeting: Bylaws Authority & Control BIGWIG Distance Learning Imagineering Open Source Systems Internet Resources Remember to renew your Interest Group. Everyone should have gotten an email about the renewal … if you are the chair, you need to be so listed on the website. Check the ComChair list. Many groups are up for renewal and should really contact Mary Ellen Tyckoson. Renewal is streamlined now and please take care of it at midwinter … print off the form from the website or get it from the ALA-LITA office. Review the description of the group, submit 3 reports from the last 3 Annual Meetings, and sign. Question: have renewals ever been denied? Sometimes, the renewal is postponed if the information isn’t complete. Actually, there is no official mechanism for an IG to be disbanded, but Mary Ellen will look into it. To change a…

2008

Public Libraries Technology Interest Group

The LITA Public Libraries Technology Interest Group will meet on Sunday, January 13, from 10:30 am to noon in the South Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel. Kimberly Bolan and Robert Cullin, authors of Technology Made Simple: An Improvement Guide for Small and Medium Libraries, will join the group to talk about their guide and answer questions. In addition, Larra Clark, project manager of ALA’s Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, will discuss current findings and how administrators can use them as well as future directions of the study. Please join us! I know it’s a busy time… Sunday… but we’re very excited about our special guests.

2007

PLTIG (Public Libraries Technology Interest Group)

We met Sunday morning, from 8-9:30 am at the Hyatt Capitol Hill in the Ticonderoga Room. Although we were a small group (which can probably be attributed to a combination of the hour of the day and the distance of the hotel from WCC)… but covered some good territory and shared our plan for MidWinter and Annual 2008. We welcomed Scott Reinhart and Bob Kuntz (Carroll County (Maryland) Public Library to our meeting and they gave a brief history of the their library and how they have managed to do so much with technology in their community. Clearly, one of their greatest assets is a well-funded infrastructure since the county “capitalized” their hardware and software, they receive over $225,000 per year for refresh and upgrades alone. They are also “entrepreneurial” and receive a small income stream from operating as an ISP for dial-up residents, providing server access and support to…

2007

Interest Group Break Out – 6/23/07

Matt Calsada chaired the break-out session business meeting. WCC Rm 209 B, 9 – 10 a.m. Introductions … 20 attended. Discussion about renewals … it’s so important that the paperwork be completed… forms are available on the website. Also, the reports and chair(s) signatures are required. The following IGs are up for renewal: BIGWIG, Electronic Resources Mgmt, Human/Machine INterface, Internet Resources & Services, JPEG 2000 in Archives & Libraries, RFID Technology, Standards, and Topic Maps. Gail Clement fielded questions … — Do you “have” to come before PPC? You do have to “submit” a proposal and it will be reviewed by PPC. The time slots are limited, so everyone can’t appear anyway. Proposals can be mailed or faxed by first week of July to allow for new proposals after “business meetings” at Annual. However, if you do come in person, you’ll have access to the experience of PPC memberships. Forms…

2007

Public Libraries Technology Interest Group

Sunday: 8 – 10 a.m. Our first event/meeting was a big success with almost 30 participants. Thanks to everyone who attended. Paul Keith and Irmgarde Brown (co-chairs) welcomed everyone, gave a brief introduction to our new interest group and encouraged public librarians to join LITA. Our Discussion Topic Our guest speaker was Brian Auger from Howard County Public Library in Maryland. Brian shared a few facts about his system: 3rd wealthiest county in the country, second smallest population at 260,000 people, and yet they circulate over 2M items a year out of only 6 branches. Howard County started re-thinking their commitment to “traditional” computer software as Web-based technologies began emerging. It appeared to them that such a basic system should be cheaper and easier to secure. With the support of only 2 I.T. staff back then, the library began a slow evolution into Linux (first by implementing the Linux Firewalls…