This is the time of year when we reflect on the year just completed and the year to come. 2012 was a very productive year for the SCLS Technology Team. They continued to work on ongoing projects (conversion to Windows 7, SCLS network convergence and Enterprise Wireless) and at the same time dealt with several unexpected situations (loss of the federal fiber grant, the Sophos anti-virus software implosion and excelerated Firefox upgrades). Below is a summary of projects worked on this year.
- Developed process to handle the more frequent updates to Firefox
- Windows 7 staff and patron images and Vista images done and rolled out on 235 PCs at over 20 sites
- Browsers were updated on 211 PCs at 20 libraries to accommodate Windows XP incompatibility with IE8
- Helped libraries prepare for the incompatibility of IE8 and Windows XP and the ultimate demise of XP by encouraging review of PC replacement palns
- Three Portage County branches (Rosholt, Almond & Plover) moved to SCLS technology services
- VPN alternative bandwidth solution testing is in progress
- Monona agreed to be VPN pilot library
- ROM & ARP on their way to being full SCLS technology services members
- Brought 4 additional libraries onto Enterprise Wireless (and no one fell off any scaffolding)
- SCLS email lists reviewed and cleaned up
- Crystal Reports installed, working and reports being drafted
- “SCLS as ISP” memorandum of understanding developed and approved by Technology Committee
- Asana Project Management tool implemented for technology staff (not the yoga position)
- Beginning planning for the new Madison Central opening in fall 2013
- Mike Fehrenbach was an intern from September through December.
- Dealt with the Sophos implosion
- Assisted 25 libraries with Badgernet bandwidth upgrades and 5 libraries with new Badgnet installations
- Central server backups revamped
- Continued SCLS Network convergence for non-LINK (SCLS network) PCs
- New tools were deployed to improve PC software update process
- Established routine software update schedule for staff PCs on the SCLS network
- Reviewed position descriptions and roles of the Technology Team Members
- 31 library staff attended Drupal training and two new web sites were created with Drupal
- Envisionware was selected to provide e-commerce for LINKcat patrons and a merchant account bank was selected to handle payment. Setup work has begun.
- Brought 8 libraries onto the Partnership Program
- Consolidated support for all SCLS-supported PCs into one help desk
- Began planning for bandwidth needs following the state turndown of the federal fiber grants and not enough Badgernet bandwidth to go around
In 2013 the Tech Team will focus on completion of some long-term projects such as the Windows 7 upgrades and SCLS network convergence. We will also be creating a combined Help Desk for Technolgoy and ILS services and expand the breadth of services supported by the Help Desk. We will re-vamp the Technology web site. We will explore new print management solutions, including wireless printing. Finally, we applied for LSTA funds to bring Enterprise Wireless to libraries not yet using that service and to offset the ongoing costs for libraries already using it. Let's hope we get it!
On behalf of the SCLS Technology Team, I wish a Very Happy New Year!
