Johnson & Wales University Library

Technology Plan

2018-2021

Vision Statement

JWU Library will utilize technology to enhance and enrich student, faculty, and staff access to, creation of, and use of information resources related to the cultural, scholastic, and administrative activities of Johnson & Wales University.

1. Increase the online availability of print publications unique to Johnson & Wales

Objective A: Digitize content unique to JWU

• Activities for Implementation
  • Prioritize content and collections suitable for open access online delivery
  • Determine scope of copyright permissions relevant to specific content type
  • Engage JWU Resource Development staff in pursuit of external funding opportunities
  • Outsource digitization, or, borrow or purchase scanning equipment

Objective B: Assure sustainable long-term preservation and discovery of unique JWU content

• Activities for implementation
  • Research proprietary and open source digital repository options in order to compare costs (pricing and staff effort), functionality and usability
  • Consult IT Department staff on deployment of IT resources and support

Objective C: Grow the collection of JWU artifacts and publications suitable for digitization and open access dissemination

• Activities for implementation
  • Seek content contributions from internal areas and departments
  • Identify external sources of content

Objective A: Establish a dedicated “maker space” within the library

• Activities for implementation
  • Visit examples of already existing maker spaces at area libraries
  • Engage with Facilities Department space planners to designate potential space to be converted and identify architectural and furnishing requirements
  • Identify equipment needs
  • Assess budgetary impact
  • Establish space and equipment use policies
  • Plan the delivery of providing maker space training and support services

3. Capitalize on technology to improve workflow efficiencies and the end user experience

Objective A: Streamline interlibrary loan and document delivery process and user experience

• Activities for implementation
  • Librarians visit libraries using OCLC Tipasa
  • Obtain Tipasa price quote
  • Engage IT assistance with implementation process
  • Provide librarians with Tipasa training

Objective B: Enable broken link reporting in WorldCat Discovery

• Activities for implementation
  • Librarians review implementation training materials
  • Determine procedure for repairing reported broken links
  • Modify Discovery settings
  • Conduct one-year follow-up impact assessment

Objective C: Expand options for obtaining resource usage data

• Activities for implementation
  • Establish HELIN Group Analytics administrators for JWU
  • Train librarians in the use of WMS analytics
  • Activate WMS analytics COUNTER reports for compliant resources

Objective D: Expand the availability and application of instant messaging (IM) reference services

• Activities for implementation

• Establish an “Ask a Student” IM option as a supplement to the “Ask a Librarian” option
• Pilot the assignment of student employees to respond to questions posed through “Ask a Student”
• Conduct content analysis on “Ask a Librarian” and “Ask a Student” transcripts

Objective E: Improve the accessibility of the JWU Library website

• Activities for implementation
  • Assure that text and background color choices and contrasts take into account varying types of color blindness
  • For those dependent on screen readers, assure that all links provide descriptive, contextual prompts
  • Provide text alternatives to non-text content
  • Assure tab indexing of form options to allow interaction by users with fine motor disabilities
  • Review all images for potential inclusion of alt attributes
  • Activate Access Keys to optimize site navigation with a keyboard rather than a mouse
  • Provide a link to a text-only version of the website
  • Meet Level A standard of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG)

Objective F: Improve the security of JWU Library web services

• Activities for implementation
  • Move LibGuides to HTTPS
  • Obtain SSL certificates from IT Department
  • Provide CMS vendor with SSL certificate
  • Assure that all services are routed through HTTPS
  • Migrate HTTP-only databases to HTTPS

4. Capitalize on the university intranet to increase faculty and staff awareness of JWU Library resources and services

Objective A: Launch a library page in Gateway.jwu.edu

• Activities for implementation
  • Identify library resources and services of greatest value to faculty and staff
  • Compile relevant service request forms
  • Develop new service request forms as needed
  • Establish a process for obtaining Gateway library site usage data
  • Conduct one-year follow-up assessment

Objective B: Increase the availability of online instructional materials targeted to faculty and staff

• Activities for implementation
  • Conduct faculty needs survey
  • Based on survey findings, develop video tutorials to fill gaps in faculty knowledge about library resources and services

5. Support alt-textbook initiatives that reduce reliance student out-of-pocket expenses

Objective A: Increase the availability of training for faculty on OER selection, development, and use

• Activities for implementation
  • Librarians participate in OER faculty learning community
  • Librarians schedule and deliver OER training sessions face to face and online
  • Librarians develop and maintain online guides to OER adoption

Objective B: Increase the visibility of Z courses* offered by JWU

• Activities for implementation
  • Determine if course registration system provides a way for students to identify Z courses
  • Determine if Z courses can be identified through the course catalog
  • In the JWU Library FAQ, publish and routinely update a listing of JWU Z courses

* Z course connotes a course that does not require students to purchase any commercially published textbooks