Survey Results for State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs)

Summary of Survey Findings

Technology use: One hundred percent of SLAAs that responded indicated they currently use some kinds of technologies. The technologies most in use are: desktop computers, access to the Internet, e-mail, network servers, standard office software, and Web site. All of these are in use in at least 97 percent of responding SLAAs.

The next group of technologies that were listed at 57 percent and higher are: computerized catalogs, accounting/payroll software, desktop publishing software, graphics software, intranet, and database software for collections management.

The SLAAs that plan to add technologies in the next year will focus on Intranets, virtual reality tours, and PDAs (hand-held computers).

Digitization: More than 78 percent of SLAAs reported digitization activities in the past 12 months. Thirty-eight percent plan activities in the next 12 months, and 40 percent beyond 12 months. Among all of the groups, the SLAAs are the most actively involved in digitization. Hindrances they cited include lack of funds, other institutional priorities, and lack of available expertise.

The highest priorities in their digitization efforts are to increase access to books, journals, collections, and collection records, preserve materials of importance or value, reduce damage to original materials, and provide access via a Web site.

The collections they focus on are historical documents and archives, photographs, and government publications.

Twenty-five of the responding SLAAs have digitization policies in place, and 42 percent have them in development.

Exemplary Project: Connecticut History Online With IMLS funding, the Connecticut Historical Society, in partnership with Mystic Seaport and the Thomas Dodd Research Center of the University of Connecticut, developed a comprehensive, Web-based virtual collection of graphic images that document the history of the Connecticut community. The project addressed the need for common metadata, a variety of search mechanisms, and resources for using the database in the educational environment. The partnership is engaged in a long-term effort to encourage teachers to make meaningful use of the database. www.cthistoryonline.org/

The Status of Technology - SLAAs
What technologies (hardware and software) does your institution currently use for its day-to-day operations? What technologies does it plan to acquire or implement in the next 12 months?

Figure 36 lists technologies used by SLAAs in descending order. The seven "basic" technologies are highlighted.

Figure 36: Technologies Currently in US in SLAAs

• Thirty percent of SLAAs indicated that they do not plan to add technologies in the next 12 months.
• Those that do plan to add technologies listed 'Intranet' (26 percent), 'Virtual reality tours' (22 percent), 'PDAs,' i.e., hand-held computers (22 percent).

Exemplary Project: State Libraries Untangle Web of State and Local Information State and local government organizations post information for citizens on the Internet, but it is often still difficult to navigate through these sites to find the information needed. With an IMLS LSTA-funded National Leadership Grant, the Washington State Library demonstrated to four other state libraries how to develop a useful gateway to online government information. http://www.imls.gov/closer/archive/hlt_l0500.htm

What are the current sources of funds for this technology? (Check all that apply.)

• State funds (92 percent)
• IMLS (62 percent) (IMLS' LSTA-funded Grants to States program)
• Operating funds (38 percent).
• All of the SLAAs have funds for technology. (None indicated having no funding source.)

What technology does your institution currently use for programming? (Check all that apply.) What does it plan to use for programming in the next 12 months that it does not currently use?

SLAAs identified two current programming uses most often:

• Disseminate research findings and publications via the Web site (60 percent)
• Information on exhibits is presented to the public via the Web (43 percent)
• More than 34 percent indicated that they plan to add a different programming technology use next year, particularly 'We want to provide programs and exhibits on our Web site' (19 percent).

Technology is useful for your institution's programming because…?

• Makes programs more interactive (58 percent)
• Increases the number of people who learn from programs (55 percent)
• Provides a richer educational experience for patrons (50 percent)

What hinders the use of technology in your institution's programming?

• Lack of staff expertise (53 percent)
• Cost (50 percent)
• Write-in responses emphasized lack of time and available staff.

Digitization Plans, Practices, and Policies - SLAAs

In the past 12 months, have you been or are you currently involved in digitization, for example, current projects, funding, setting standards, implementing, etc.?

• More than 78 percent of all SLAAs report digitization activities in the past 12 months.
• Thirty-eight percent of SLAAs report digitization plans in the next 12 months, and 40 percent beyond the next 12 months.

What hinders your efforts at digitization?

SLAAs were asked to rank the top three hindrances. Figure 37 cumulatively ranks the responses. Figure 37: Ranking of Digitization Hindrances for SLAAs

*No Response

Exemplary Project: High-Tech Teaching in Small Town Texas The border town of Cotulla, Texas, is a world away from the busy city of San Antonio. Yet thanks to satellite receiver equipment purchased with IMLS funding, townsfolk there, and in three other isolated Texas towns, are now linked to a variety of professional training programs and other big-city resources. The librarians, who are far from state universities, have access to continuing education programming from the Texas State Library and the American Library Association. http://www.imls.gov/closer/archive/hlt_l0700.htm

What are the primary goals for your institution's digitizing activities?

Respondents were asked to rank their three most important goals from a list. Figure 38 shows the overall ranking for the highest priority goals.

Figure 38: Highest Priority Digitization Goals for SLAAs

What materials has your institution selected for digitization? Check all that apply.

• Historical documents/archives (60 percent)
• Photographs (43 percent)
• Government publications (37 percent)

Future digitization efforts would include the same kinds of materials, plus

• Maps (38 percent)
• Manuscripts (35 percent)

Where do you currently obtain funds to support your digitizing efforts? (Check all that apply.)

• IMLS (54 percent)
• State funds (46 percent)
• Operating funds (16 percent)
• Thirty percent of respondents indicate they currently have no funding for digitization

Does your institution cooperate with other organizations to develop digitization programs, i.e. partnerships, consortia, etc.?

• Seventy-two percent of SLAAs that have current digitization projects cooperate with other institutions to develop digitization programs. Cooperative efforts occur most frequently with 'Academic libraries,' 'Individual public libraries,' and 'State archives.'

Thirty-one percent of the SLAAs with current digitization projects report some roles with other institutions to develop digitization programs:

• Encourage cooperative projects
• Issue sub-grants
• Provide best practices or guidelines
• Provide information
• Provide staff or equipment for digitization efforts
• Set policies or standards
• Undertake demonstration projects

Does your institution have digitization policies in place? In development?

Twenty-five of the responding SLAAs have digitization policies currently in place. The policies most cited include:

• Best practices
• Digital format
• Intellectual property issues
• Materials to be digitized
• Priorities for digitization
• Quality control
• Forty-two percent of SLAAs indicate they have digitization policies in development. Among these respondents, the two most frequently cited policies in development are 'Materials to be digitized' and 'Priorities for digitization.'

Does your institution allow access to its digital collection by the public?

• The SLAAs that have some portion of their collection digitized (89 percent) report that they allow access to their digital collections, primarily via the Web.
• Among the SLAAs that allow access, the primary target audience is 'Anyone with Internet access' (83 percent), followed by 'Visitors onsite at the institution' (44 percent).
• Eighty-three percent of these SLAAs give free access (no charge) to 'Anyone with Internet access.'

Are your digital products listed with any digital registry?

• Only three percent of responding SLAAs have digital products listed with any registry. Registries include: Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Colorado Digitization project.
• Twenty-eight percent of SLAAs have digital products listed in their own catalogs.