SCLS Technology News

Partnership Program update

Making changes to SCLS-supported library PCs
One of the things we've heard over the years is that libraries would like more control over their PCs. In late 2010, SCLS proposed the optional "Partnership Program" service to provide libraries the ability to manage aspects of their SCLS-supported PCs.

It took us a little while to put all the necessary parts into place, but we finally kicked things off for staff PCs in December 2011. After piloting the program at a couple of libraries, we opened up the service to all libraries in May 2012 and now have 8 libraries signed on!

Where are we now?

• The Partnership Program is currently available for staff PCs only
• 8 SCLS libraries are participating
• Interested libraries can find more information here:
  http://www.scls.info/technology/partner/index.html 

What about patron PCs?
Because of their complex lockdown and security, SCLS will not be offering the Partnership Program for Windows XP patron PCs.

The technicians have developed a configuration for Windows 7 staff PCs that will continue to allow participation in the Partnership Program, and they are starting to look at the configuration for Windows 7 patron PCs. Our goal is to offer two flavors of patron PCs-- a restricted-browsing "catalog" PC, and a full-featured internet PC with a lot of software.

The final lockdown and security settings for the Windows 7 patron PCs will determine whether we will be able to extend the Partnership Program to Windows 7 patron PCs. If not, we will look at offering another SCLS-supported option that will allow libraries to make their own configuration changes and add their own software, but which may not include all of the lockdown, security, and update features available on our standard patron PCs.

SCLS Partnership Program

What is the Partnership Program?

Through the Partnership Program, library staff that have been designated by the library director will be able to make changes to SCLS-supported staff PCs (we hope to expand this to patron PCs in the future).   A complete description of the service can be found here:
http://www.scls.info/committees/tc/documents/PartnershipProgram.pdf

The program was introduced in December 2011, and 2 libraries have since participated in pilot testing.

What do I need to know?

SCLS has a webpage that details the steps to participate in the Partnership Program: http://www.scls.info/technology/partner/index.html.  

After the Library Director and interested participants review the information, the main steps are:

1. The Library Director will sign the Partnership Program Memorandum of Understanding and return it to SCLS.
2. The Library Director will indicate which staff members and which library PCs will participate in the Partnership Program.
3. A training session will be scheduled between new participants and SCLS staff.
4. Partnership Program user accounts will be distributed to participants.

If you think your library might be interested in the Partnership Program, please review all of the available documentation on the Partnership Program webpage.

How do I sign up to participate?

1. Review the documentation on the SCLS Partnership Program page and make sure it is a good fit for your library.
2. Print and sign the Memorandum of Understanding and send it to SCA: Attn Jon Mark.
3. Express your interest in the program by calling the Help Desk.
4. SCLS staff will contact you to schedule training when the appropriate systems are in place here at HQ.

What’s the timeline?

SCLS staff will work through the list of interested libraries as time permits over upcoming months.  Things will probably start slow and then pick up speed as we learn from our experiences and streamline the rollout process.