Managing Library Technology: A LITA Guide

by Carson Block

Overview

Managing Library Technology introduces library workers (including non-technical managers, tech administrators and even “accidental technologists”) to core concepts in technology management and provides strategies that will enable them to master the basics of library tech. The content of the book is taken from the author’s popular American Library Association -approved Certified Public Library Administrator course, “Management of Technology,” and is geared to the needs of all kinds of libraries.

The book contains easy-to-follow exercises and tools that have been tested in real-world situations with students as they tackled their own evaluation, planning and management challenges. Readers are also given a roadmap to create a technology plan for their library—even if they have no direct technology background themselves.

This book helps library workers understand the underpinnings of technology and how to powerfully manage tech to serve patrons and staff alike. Readers will learn:

• How libraries fit into the overall technology market
• Strategies to future-proof library technology efforts
• Approaches to technology planning that stick – and strategies to keep the plan on track
• Skills to understand technology investments by understanding the total costs of ownership and the specialized library return on technological investment
• How to collect and use useful data and statistics without being overwhelmed
• How to stay current, knowledgeable and comfortable with rapid technological change

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442271814
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/03/2017
Series:	LITA Guides
Pages:	126
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Carson Block has been a library technologist for twenty years, as a library worker, IT director, and now a library technology consultant. He is a director-at-large for the American Library Association’s Association of Special and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and past chair of ASCLA’s Library Consultant’s Interest Group. He is also a member of ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries advisory group and a member of the former 21st Century Libraries Committee of ALA’s Office of Information Technology Policy.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1Introduction to Library Technology
Chapter 2Basic Technology Assessment
Chapter 3Technology Planning (Part 1)
Chapter 4Technology Planning (Part 2)
Chapter 5Technology Implementation
Chapter 6Evaluation of Library Technology
Chapter 7Advanced Topics and Putting it All Together

Editorial Reviews

Carson Block combines deep, hands-on experience working with libraries to bolster their technology infrastructure to serve diverse community needs with contagious enthusiasm for this vital work. With this new LITA Guide, he captures the big picture, as well as the practical details needed to successfully assess, plan, implement and evaluate technology to advance the library mission in the digital age. As Carson would say: ‘Go go gadget!’

Larra Clark

An excellent supplemental text.

Public Libraries

From thoughtful assessment of library technology to realistic budgeting and implementation of new services, this guide is grounded by the viewpoint that technology is a means to provide great library service, not an end in itself. With practical tips grounded in actual experience, those just learning about library technology and those well-versed in the field will find useful information in this understandable guide.

Susan Hildreth

Carson Block uses his vast knowledge of Library IT to explain the realities of technology in a modern library and how the professional, whether experienced or new to the field, can better understand it and plan for future needs. His easy to understand writing style makes this guide a both accessible and highly informative.

Corin Haines