Library Technology Coordinator

This is the back room of the library where the technology magic happens. John Wohlers is the library technology coordinator for the college and handles all the technology. His desk is in the far back area of the photo. As you can see there is a lot going on here, this area is really the backbone of technology at the library. John handles most of the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of technology at the library. He also manages the libraries website.

Here are the questions I asked him for the interview

-What types of tec are available to staff and students?

Multiple computers, scanners, photocopiers, printers, databases with remote access, Blu-ray players, VCRs, DVD players, TVs for viewing materials, live chat with librarians, social media, interlibrary loan, electronic delivery of articles, and microfilm readers.  They library is currently in the process of acquiring maker kits for 3-d printing classes.

-How many computers are there for staff and students?

There are 16 computers for staff and 34 computers for students.

-What kind of software is available to staff and students?

Staff and students both have Microsoft office software such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Chrome, and Firefox.  Staff have some software for cataloging, circulation, and interlibrary loan.

-Does the library use any cload based services?

Yes, all the research databases are cloud based. The libraries video technology is moving to cloud/Youtube. The library also uses Enterprise systems for their library catalog and the library is using Sirsidynix blue cloud suite. Students and staff also use Google Drive cloud services.

-What kind of security does the library use for materials?

The library uses magnetic tape from 3M. They are currently vetting vendors for the purchase of a RFID system to be implemented over the next 3-8 months.

-Security software or filters on library computers?

The college's IT department uses Sophos so that is on all computers. There is no filtering on the internet only computers in the library. There is a computer lab inside the library and those computers do have filtering as the software is installed by the IT department. Librarian Marilee Stach added that the library has little control over what goes on the computers as it is decided by the IT department. Blocked websites can be unblocked as they have had to do for some human sexuality classes that needed access to websites about sexual deviance.

-Does the library accept E-Funding?

No, but the library does belong to a consortium so they get discounts on database services.

-What type of automated circulation system does the library use?

They use Sirsidynix symphony. They are beta testers for the company and actually get to give input. Some of the things they have requested have been added as well.

-What are some of the technological issues at the library?

They have had some printing issues with students printing out vast amounts of paper and jamming the machines. They have also had database issues. Vendors will change the interface of the databases in the middle of the semester. Librarians are instructing students on how to use the databases and then without warning it changes. This creates a lot of confusion for students. Also, the IT department will make changes to the firewall without letting the library know. Sometimes half of the libraries services will go down because of that. Sometimes students cannot access databases from home as well. They have had some long talks with the IT department about how changes impact library services.

-John told that he and another employee the interlibrary loan specialist had created software for the library. The software automated the interlibrary loan process reducing errors and data issues. The software works with Worldcat and the libraries system. They have shared the software with Sirsidynix who are planing on integrating it into their circulation system. I asked John why they didn't want to market and sell the software themselves. They did not want the college to have to deal some legal issues that might come up. Also, the college would then have to support the software. They felt it was better for a company that has the resources to run with it.