Document Actions
Sign Up Now for PLOW 2
Wish you had taken the PLOW training sessions? You still can! Here's your chance to get a new Web site and e-mail service for your library.
Your library is invited to participate in the second and final round of PLOW.
The Web site and e-mail hosting service is for Iowa
public libraries that:
- Want to improve library service to their community by having their own Web site, but don’t know how
- Already have a Web site and want to make it even better
- Dislike having to change e-mail addresses each time they change Internet service providers (ISP)
- Want to offer every library staff member with their own e-mail address
Through the Web hosting service, each public library will be able to easily create
its own Web site. Why is this important?
- Today's library customers expect to visit and communicate with their library via the Internet. 70% of American adults and 83% of those ages 18-29 use the Internet according to a December 2006 study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, http://www.pewinternet.org/trends.asp
- To attract new library users
- To provide the best possible service to Iowans by making the library and its services accessible to people any time, day or night
The Web sites will be preloaded
with a variety of local information specific to each library, including links
to local catalogs, location, hours, contacts, and trustees. Library
customers will also have access to state-wide resources, such as EBSCOHost and
FirstSearch databases, through their local library’s Web site. As library
staff members are trained and become comfortable with their library’s Web site,
they will be able to add their own content.
Through the e-mail hosting service, regardless of the ISP, each public library will be able to have consistent and stable e-mail addresses making it easier to communicate with customers. In other words, when a library changes ISPs, the library’s e-mail address will remain the same.
In addition, there will be technical support provided by a full-time computer / technical support person available to public libraries by phone and e-mail. Training will be provided on Intro to Directory and E-mail Services, Getting Your Web Site Started, Customizing Your Web Site and more. Each class lasts six hours.
To participate in the project,
your library must:
- Have high speed
Internet access and continue to pay for it
- Complete and return a Letter of Intent
- Attend the required training (three six-hour classes)
- Be able to devote at least one staff hour per week to maintain and update your Web site
A Letter of Intent and a timeline describing when the service will be implemented was mailed August 8 to libraries that have not participated in PLOW. To help us determine the level of interest and decide where to hold the training, please complete and return the Letter of Intent. (Even after signing it, you may still change your mind and decide not to participate.)
|
The State Library must receive your Letter of Intent on or before October 8, 2007 if you plan to take advantage of the service. After this date, we may not be able to include your library in the project. |
We know that you and your board will need time and more information before deciding whether to take advantage of the new service. Therefore, on Thursday, August 30, 10 a.m. to noon, there will be an information session over the ICN (a flier about the session is enclosed in the mailing). At this session, library directors and board members will have an opportunity to learn more about the project and receive answers to their questions.
We look forward to discussing this
opportunity with you. If you have
questions before the August 30 information session, please contact Sandy Dixon, 515-281-4328, 800-248-4483 or sandy.dixon@lib.state.ia.us, FAX
515-281-6191. Visit the State Library's CE catalog to sign up for this session.
Thanksgiving Holiday