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Ohio Public Library Information Network

E-Rate Technology Plan

7/1/2012 — 6/30/2015

Table of Contents

A.  MISSION STATEMENT

The Ohio Public Library Information Network was established to provide public access throughout Ohio to networked information. OPLIN accomplishes this mission: by purchasing Internet connections for Ohio participant library organizations, as defined in Ohio Revised Code 3375.64; by subscribing to information databases for all the residents of Ohio who are served by public libraries; and by helping Ohio public libraries deliver information to their users.

B.  TECHNOLOGY VISION STATEMENT

Every OPLIN participant should have a reliable Internet connection that is large enough to insure that the library's average circuit utilization does not exceed 70% during peak afternoon hours.

C.  ASSESSMENT OF INTERNET SERVICES

OPLIN provides the following Internet services to Ohio public libraries:

  • Connections from at least one building in each library system and library service center to the OPLIN Intranet Hub in Columbus. While the circuit is leased at a monthly rate, usually negotiated by the State of Ohio, the routing equipment at either end of the circuit is purchased by OPLIN.
  • Full network management service for these connections with support from a contracted vendor (currently the Ohio Office of Information Technology, Infrastructure Services Division, OIT:ISD).
  • Internet Access (currently through OIT:ISD).
  • Connections managed by the libraries themselves from each library branch building through the main library to the OPLIN Hub or directly to the OPLIN Hub. There are approximately 390 such connections.
  • Network services including IP addressing and DNS service provided by OPLIN (and currently serviced through Open DNS and OIT:ISD) for all branch and main connections.
  • Provisions for supporting wireless access points in library buildings.
  • Authentication and authorization for content licensed from commercial vendors. Such content is web-delivered, and resides on the vendors' remote servers.
  • Authentication and authorization for OPLIN owned content. Such content is web-delivered, and resides on the OPLIN-owned servers.
  • Support services and training to enable effective use of the services.

One of the unusual characteristics of OPLIN is the fact that it provides and manages a physical network connecting libraries to the Internet; most other library "information networks" primarily deliver content and services over a physical network provided by some other organization. When OPLIN was established in 1995-96, the network was built from copper-wire "T1" circuits. In 2006, fiber-optic "Ethernet" circuits began replacing the older T1 circuits. OPLIN intends to provide Ethernet circuits to all OPLIN participants by the end of this plan period. OPLIN also provides and maintains the network routers at the participant sites and at the OPLIN network core in Columbus.

The total network bandwidth usage for libraries at the beginning of this plan period (July 2012) is projected to be about 1.7 Gbps; July 2011 total bandwidth was about 1.3 Gbps. By the end of the plan period, we expect bandwidth usage to be about 3.5 Gbps. OPLIN currently has installed infrastructure at the network core capable of handling 4 Gbps.

The number of computers which libraries have attached to the network has leveled off at about 11,500 for public use and 10,000 for staff use. By the end of this plan period, however, patron WiFi devices brought into libraries buildings will require as much bandwidth as these fixed-wire computers; over 90% of Ohio public library buildings offer free WiFi. OPLIN is seeking ways to assist libraries with management of their WiFi networks.

OPLIN offers two Linux mail servers to provide public libraries with options for increased functionality, reliability, and security. One mail server (http://mail.oplin.org) is used mainly for staff email accounts and accessing webmail, while the other one (http://lists.oplin.org) is used for mass ILS notifications and distribution lists as well as for hosting OPLIN listservs.

OPLIN offers Dynamic Website Kits to Ohio public libraries, a service that provides modern, updated websites with advanced features and options at a modest price. The service includes the initial setup, maintenance/upgrades, hosting, and free training at OPLIN. Website Kits are built with Drupal, a popular content management system (CMS), for ease of use, ability to update content, and custom appearance. These sites are standards-compliant, which provides increased accessibility and usability.

During the period of this plan, to expand or revise currently offered services, OPLIN may decide to purchase the following services for OPLIN participants:

Priority One:
interconnected VoIP
Internet-based email
web hosting
wireless digital transmission
Priority Two:
email servers
email software that is server-based
network interface cards for routers
web servers used to provide content to users of the Internet
wireless access points
wireless LAN controllers

D. GOALS AND STRATEGIES

Goal: Connect Ohio public libraries to the Internet
Objective: Provide an adequate Internet connection to every library system
Evaluation: This objective is achieved if every library system has an Internet connection that is working properly at least 99 of the time.
Activity: Procure high-speed Internet connections for every Ohio public library system
Activity: Assist Ohio public library systems with their branch connections
Activity: Provide basic network support services
Activity: Provide email services for public libraries
Objective: Provide Internet bandwidth to every Ohio public library system
Evaluation: This objective is achieved if every OPLIN participant has an Internet connection that is large enough to insure that the participant's average circuit utilization does not exceed 70% during peak hours.
Activity: Contract with service providers to procure Internet access bandwidth
Activity: Monitor and meet libraries’ bandwidth demands
Activity: Apportion Internet access bandwidth to libraries if necessary
Objective: Protect the network from intrusion
Evaluation: This objective is achieved if the network core is protected by a firewall and all intrusion-detection software is up to date.
Activity: Mirror the network servers
Activity: Maintain firewalls and anti-virus software
Activity: Provide libraries with information about security products
Activity: Follow OPLIN Information Technology Security Management policies
Goal: Lead public libraries in the implementation of Internet technologies
Objective: Communicate information about Internet technologies
Evaluation: This objective is achieved if at least three communications about Internet technologies are available to public libraries each month.
Activity: Issue periodic reports
Activity: Offer conferences
Objective: Provide public libraries with a forum for discussion of Internet technologies
Evaluation: This objective is achieved if at least ten discussions of new technologies take place each year among public library technical staff within OPLIN-provided online environments.
Activity: Provide an environment for time-based discussions
Activity: Provide an environment for topic-based discussions
Objective: Provide web site hosting services for public libraries
Evaluation: This objective is achieved if a generic web site and web hosting package is available to libraries.
Activity: Provide a generic public library web site
Activity: Maintain servers for hosting OPLIN-provided public library web sites

E. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

OPLIN staff is very small, currently comprising five (individuals). All staff are encouraged to spend part of each workday exploring and learning new Internet technologies, and then sharing their learnings with the rest of the staff. While some staff are more proficient in some areas of Internet technology than others, no staff is limited to learning about specific technologies.

All OPLIN staff also share these learnings with staff of Ohio public libraries (see above Goal: Lead public libraries in the implementation of Internet technologies). There are about 10,000 library staff members in Ohio, and all of them, at least to some degree, are impacted by OPLIN. We have historically avoided a direct training role and employed a variety of professional development strategies:

  1. "Train the trainer" efforts to ensure that every library has access to trainers who know and understand OPLIN resources.
  2. Partnerships with training providers.
  3. Sponsorship of training by others in key areas.
  4. Distribution of print and electronic materials to build awareness of content and Web interfaces.

Priorities for the period of this plan:

  1. Provide an online environment for sharing of information among library information technology professionals, dealing with such topics as:
    • Network and server security.
    • Web and digital service development.
    • Public access workstation management, including technology protection measures.
  2. Sponsor workshops and conferences
  3. Present information on technology topics at workshops and conventions

Note that OPLIN is not a public library and does not offer training to the public.

F. EVALUATION PROCESS

  • Annually review and assess the individual evaluation components attached to each objective in the plan. This is typically done in conjunction with the OPLIN Board retreat each April.
  • Continually monitor the network. Monitor bandwidth usage dynamically, log and track every issue and question affecting the network connections, and use the data to spot trends. This methodology will assess how well the OPLIN connections have met demand from library customers and staff.
  • Gather feedback from the libraries, by phone, email, electronic messaging, and meeting with public library leaders to discuss their changing needs.