Technology Vision Statement

The Douglas and Judith Krupp Library will continue to utilize information and communication technologies to enhance the access and delivery of information and library services to its users.

The Library in conjunction with the Information Services Division at Bryant University will provide library users with robust equipment and networks which support the current needs of library users and efficient access to information resources.

Equipment for library users includes 72 public workstations, 3 copiers, 2 microfilm readers, 2 scanners, 4 printers (one color), 5 kindles, and 10 laptops for loan. Replacement for public computer workstations within the library is on a 2-4 year replacement cycle. The number of workstations to be replaced is based on computer lab needs throughout the campus. The library is considered a "computer lab" and all software available to Bryant students is also loaded on library workstations or available via a Citrix software server. Bryant is also a "laptop" campus and this may have an impact on the number of fixed stations needing future replacement. Replacement of major equipment such as microfilm readers is done via Bryant's special request process. Continued need for such items will be evaluated at the time of replacement. Most library equipment (workstations) including staff equipment is less than 3 years old.

Staff equipment includes workstations, scanners, barcode readers, library material desensitizers and printers. Staff workstations are acquired via the campus roll out policy. Special consideration is given to workstations requiring special needs such as the ARIEL interlibrary loan station. Less expensive equipment, such as barcode readers and scanners are replaced as needed with general library operating funds.

The campus network infrastructure used by the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library is maintained by the Network Services group within the Information Services Division of which the library is a part. The campus network infrastructure continues to be upgraded and enhanced annually supporting wired, wireless and voice over ip connectivity. 

The library will utilize a Content Management System to organize the intellectual output of Bryant University and to highlight Bryant’s legacy collections.

Content management systems have been examined since 2003. Systems examined include MIT’s D-Space (open source), OCLC's ContentDM (hosted or unhosted options) and Digital Commons (Berkeley Electronic Press). In November 2005 HELIN received a grant from the Davis Educational Foundation to support the above goal. Bryant will began adding content to this HELIN repository in late winter/early spring of 2006.

The library will use information and telecommunication technologies to enhance information literacy objectives.

Information literacy objectives continue to include a possible online learning component or a complete course which is delivered electronically in a variety of formats including online tutorials, streaming video, etc.  A couple of "How do I ..." combination Powerpoint/video clips have been created using both Camtasia and Mediasite Live.

The library will seek ways to deliver educational video content to students and faculty.

In 2005 the library purchased 150 digital educational videos and trialed VOD (video on demand) software from Starbak Communications. A trial with Video Furnace will began in early 2006. A Video on Demand server (http://vbrick.bryant.edu) was purchased in 2007.

Software and equipment for in-house digital video productions is available on campus via the Information Services Audio Visual Department and the Communication Center. Staff have access to Camtasia, Mediasite Live and Avid software.

Training for in-house productions is/will be shared by Bryant Audio Visual staff and early library staff adopters.

The library will continue to replace print content with electronic content where possible.

The library subscribes to over 50 electronic databases and this number is increasing each year. These subscriptions provide access to the full text content for over 40,000 journals and other information resources. Electronic reference acquisitions are preferred. Funding for new e-content typically comes from money formerly allocated to print sources or from the Bryant special request process. Current e-subscriptions are evaluated annually by library staff. 

Staff training on e-resources is typically provided by the vendor, online tutorials, or via staff exploration.

The library will continue to maintain a robust integrated library system (ILS).

The library will continue to maintain membership in the HELIN (Higher Education Library Information Network) consortium and work with HELIN membership to ensure that the ILS (integrated library system) is meeting the needs of users, collections, and library staff. Annual investigation and discussion of vendor provided enhancements and options will be considered through HELIN Board and committee work.

Open source ILS solutions will be examined over the next few years and the open source software trends in higher education will be monitored. A HELIN ILS task force was formed in Spring 2010 to examine open source alternatives.

ILS connectivity and relationships with other campus systems such as Banner, Blackboard, ePortfolio and college portals will also be monitored so that connectivity between systems is seamless and user friendly.  Single sign on for users of disparate systems also needs to be addressed.

The viability of individual modules within the ILS such as E-Reserves vs. course management systems such as Blackboard and the Serials Management module vs. e-journal management systems such as Serials Solutions requires examination over the next 5 years.

The library will consider and provide non content related e-services for its users.

New e-services such as federated searching will be considered for use by library users and will be made available based on need, product integrity and funding. Virtual chat room reference is currently in place. An E-journal management service was acquired in 2004 year and Article linking services were purchased for 2005-2006. Text messaging reference service was implemented in 2007.

The library will continue to provide staff with the education needed to support new technologies.

Library staff are encouraged to learn and embrace new technologies both formally and informally. Formal options include courses offered via NELINET, Bryant, Nercomp and other local organizations. Informal training opportunities exist within the HELIN consortium, the Information Services Division at Bryant, and sessions provided by vendors.

The library will investigate and provide access to GIS (Geographical Information Systems)

In 2005 an electronic touch screen and large plasma display were installed to accommodate Google Earth and ESRI geographical software - this is currently not available - outdated.  The acquisition of GIS software needs to be revisited/reinvestigated.

This technology plan will be reviewed and updated annually.

Prepared by Mary Moroney for OLIS
Updated 2010