Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1. Planning and Decision-Making .......................................................................................7 Technical Computer Competencies Assessment............................................................8 Six-Step Technology Planning Tool ................................................................................9 Quick Reference: What Do You Need to Know About Technology Decision-Makers?.10 Who Are Some Key Decision-Makers? .........................................................................11 Technology Assessment Checklist................................................................................12 10 Rules for Building and Managing a Tech Team .......................................................13 Writing a Technology Budget — Ideas in Action Chart .................................................14 TCO/TVO Questions You Should Be Asking.................................................................15 Places to Learn About Technology................................................................................17 2. Communication and Partnerships................................................................................21 Building a Better Relationship with Your Techies..........................................................22 Possible Resources and Tools for Establishing Library Collaboration..........................23 Compatible Library Partners Chart ................................................................................24 What to Consider When Entering Into a Collaborative Process....................................26 Tips and Techniques for Creating Strong Partnerships.................................................28 Ten Examples of Successful Library Collaborative Projects .........................................29 3. Buying and Deploying Technology..............................................................................33 TechAtlas: Technology Planning Options for Libraries..................................................34 Tips and Guidelines for Making Informed Computer Purchases...................................35 Using Older Computers – Key Considerations..............................................................36 Disk Protection Software Installation Tools and Techniques ........................................37 Patron Computer Software Comparison Chart..............................................................38 Patron Computer Software Comparison Chart..............................................................39 Patron Computer Software Comparison Chart (continued)...........................................40 Some General E-Rate Rules for Eligible Products and Services .................................41 Maintenance Tasks/Costs: Computers WITHOUT Lock-Down and Disk-Protection Software ..................................................................................................................42 Maintenance Tasks/Costs: Computers WITH Lock-Down and Disk-Protection Software ..................................................................................................................43 Ten Steps to Successfully Working with Vendors .........................................................44 How to Buy Cooperatively Quick Reference .................................................................47 How to Examine a Lease Agreement ............................................................................48 Buying Hardware Checklist............................................................................................49 Buying Software Checklist.............................................................................................51 Eight Smart Tips for Standardizing Your Equipment.....................................................53 Guidelines for Disk-Cloning ...........................................................................................55 Deploying New Computers — What to Ask and Why ...................................................57 THE JOY OF COMPUTING TOOLKIT 2 4. Maintaining and Sustaining Technology .....................................................................58 Library Tech Support Evaluation Sheet.........................................................................59 Help-Desk Software Options .........................................................................................60 Prolonging Computer Use — Tips and Tools ................................................................62 Computer Disposal the Safe and Easy Way — Quick Reference................................63 Hardware and Software Inventory Worksheets.............................................................64 Technology Policies, Plans and Procedures .................................................................70 Tech Support Contact Information.................................................................................71 Troubleshooting Notes...................................................................................................72 Troubleshooting Bootup Problems ................................................................................73 Software Troubleshooting Steps....................................................................................74 Internet Connectivity Troubleshooting Steps.................................................................75 Troubleshooting Problems with a Network Printer ........................................................76 5. Network and Security.....................................................................................................77 Wired for Success: A Tool for Understanding Your Wireless Network.........................78 Wireless Options Comparison Chart .............................................................................79 Quick Checklist for Setting Your Wireless Access Policy..............................................80 Where and How to Find Vulnerabilities .........................................................................81 Firewalls at a Glance .....................................................................................................83 Network Performance Metrics Defined..........................................................................84 Ten Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Telecom Provider...............................86 Bandwidth Management Techniques — Tips and Actions............................................89 Network Inventory..........................................................................................................91 6. Innovation .......................................................................................................................99 What You Need to Stay Future-Focused.....................................................................100 Collaboration Tools Chart ............................................................................................101 Fifteen Ways to Effectively Use Web 2.0 Tools...........................................................106 THE JOY OF COMPUTING TOOLKIT 3 Introduction Welcome to the Joy of Computing Toolkit. It contains — in one easy-to-access location — a complete set of “how-to” resources and quick references to help you successfully build and maintain your library’s public computer services. This toolkit is organized into six logical areas of interest. You can download the entire PDF document, if you like, or access the tools online by clicking on any of the following areas of interest, or on a specific tool title to link to and display the specific tips and tactics that you need. ARE A OF INTEREST: TOOLS AVAILABLE Planning and Technical Computer Competencies Assessment Decision-Making Six-Step Technology Planning Tool Quick Reference: What Do You Need to Know About Technology Decision-Makers? Who Are Some Key Decision-Makers? Technology Assessment Checklist 10 Rules for Building and Managing a Tech Team Writing a Technology Budget — Ideas in Action Chart TCO/TVO Questions You Should Be Asking Places to Learn About Technology Communication and Building a Better Relationship with Your Techies Partnerships Possible Resources and Tools for Establishing Library Collaboration Compatible Library Partners Chart What to Consider When Entering Into a Collaborative Process Tips and Techniques for Creating Strong Partnerships Ten Examples of Successful Library Collaborative Projects Buying and TechAtlas: Technology Planning Options for Libraries Deploying Tips and Guidelines for Making Informed Computer Purchases Technology Using Older Computers – Key Considerations Disk Protection Software Installation Tools and Techniques Patron Computer Software Comparison Chart THE JOY OF COMPUTING TOOLKIT 4 ARE A OF INTEREST: TOOLS AVAILABLE Buying and Some General E-Rate Rules for Eligible Products and Services Deploying Maintenance Tasks/Costs: Computers WITHOUT Lock-Down and Technology Disk-Protection Software (continued) Maintenance Tasks/Costs: Computers WITH Lock-Down and Disk- Protection Software Ten Steps to Successfully Working with Vendors How to Buy Cooperatively Quick Reference How to Examine a Lease Agreement Buying Hardware Checklist Buying Software Checklist Eight Smart Tips for Standardizing Your Equipment Guidelines for Disk-Cloning Deploying New Computers — What to Ask and Why Maintaining and