Subject: Technology Vision Statement

MISSION

The role of library technology is to provide patron and staff access to the LSU Libraries' collections, to the collections of other libraries and to information resources worldwide. To be effective this access should be consistent, seamless, reliable, robust, user-friendly, resource-balanced, and without geographical limitation.

The Libraries staff as a whole works to provide improved access to information and enable library staff to effectively anticipate and address the patron's needs for education, economic development, and improved quality of life. Library Systems, a division of the LSU Libraries, coordinates, facilitates, and supports development and implementation of technology for the Libraries. This will include using its own resources as well as employing the services offered by LSU's information Technology Services, when beneficial to the Libraries, as appropriate, which do not negatively impact existing services.

VALUES

Accessibility
• Seamless, reliable, robust, user-friendly, resource-balanced, and without geographical limitation

Participation
• Collaboration as a means to maximize resources and enhance effectiveness of library services

Standardization
• Use of standards and best practices in the management of information and technology

Flexibility
• Willingness to develop and implement new technologies and access solutions

Privacy and Security
• Assurance of control of information to protect the interests of staff and patrons

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I. Enhance patron access

A. Foster the development of anytime/anywhere information delivery services.
• Enable access to information resources to all employees and students on campus.
• Provide remote users with access to information resources and training equivalent to those available to on campus patrons.
• Expand and enhance the use of electronic document delivery and full text of resources.
• Support and partner with statewide virtual libraries.

B. Continue to develop the Web site
• Increase use of statistics for analysis to improve access.
• Provide thorough and effective indexing.
• Provide Libraries staff with adequate tools to increase resource use

II. Acquire, develop, and enhance information resources

A. Ensure effective intellectual control and resource sharing of library staff files.
• Make use of bibliographic utilities and other vendor services.
• Facilitate and support cooperative preservation microfilming and digital reformatting projects to improve access to more and diverse regional resources.
• Digitize and web-enable University-owned scholarly materials and archives.
• Expand and enhance electronic reserve systems.
• Support the LOUIS/LLN as a model for cooperative access.

B. Enable library staff to create and preserve information resources.
• Provide assistance and education.
• Take initiative in transferring its unique, deteriorating and important printed/photographed resources into electronic format.

C. Maintain highest quality LAN possible.
• Support file sharing on library LAN
• Provide appropriate backup of the data.
• Investigate options for collaborative storage and access to little-used files.

III. Maximize appropriate infrastructure

A. Maintain a high quality desktop computing environment for library patrons and staff.
B. Maintain secure networks and servers.

C. Provide continuing education.
• Ensure organizational coverage of training.
• Collaborate with other organizations to reach underserved populations and expand offerings.
• Increase the number and variety of web-based training programs.

D. Make use of the availability of campus network contacts.
• Represent library staff interests to ITS.
• Secure selected services from ITS, to decrease costs for the library, e.g., site or campus software licenses, training.
• Use other selected services of ITS as directed by LSU, e.g., reporting hacking, illegal activities.
• Monitor and implement new services as appropriate.
• Share information with other campus computing staff.

E. Maintain inventory for better management of scarce resources, implementation of upgrades or recalls, and for planning.
• Maintain inventory of computer equipment.
• Maintain inventory of software licenses.
• Work with LSU Property Management process of tracking inventory, and annual inventory survey.