My head always seems to be wrapped around issues related to library technology planning, so it was a pleasure to attend a Technology for Results presentation by Diane Mayo and Deborah Duke at this year’s Public Library Association National Conference in Boston.

Diane gave a great overview of the core steps of library technology planning, following the model presented in her recent book Technology for Results: Developing Service-Based Plans. ALA Editions has kindly allowed WebJunction to post a chapter from this excellent book.

Deborah then followed up with a detailed description of the Forth Worth Public Library’s experience with the Technology for Results model. For me, the most interesting “lesson learned” from the Fort Worth experience was “It’s OK not to be on the cutting edge” of technology.

I think this is really worth keeping in mind as we contemplate the inevitable delays in the release of Windows Vista, and reflect on “flavor of the month” technologies that didn’t make it. I once worked with a guy who was convinced that the Apple Newton was going to revolutionize the use of technology in libraries. I hear the same claim made of PDAs from time-to-time, and needless to say, I’m still waiting for the revolution.

So perhaps I’m something of a Luddite, but I appreciated the dose of reality that Deborah included in her portion of the presentation at PLA. As libraries struggle with limited budgetary and staff resources, the “go slow” approach to planning for new technologies may be the best course of action. WebJunction’s Technology Watch for Small Libraries list is a great way to keep on top of new technologies and their potential impact on public libraries. Keep reading and learning, and don’t be afraid to be a Luddite…