by Kathy Roegge, MLS

Tech Atlas is a technology planning software created by NPower (http://www.npower.org) “to help nonprofit organizations assess, plan for and manage the technology they need to make an even greater difference in their communities”. NPower is a network of locally based nonprofit organizations that provide comprehensive, high-quality and affordable technology assistance to other nonprofit groups nationally.  Founded in 1999, NPower currently serves more than 4,000 organizations each year. 

TechAtlas was acquired by OCLC in 2007 with a $1.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  It was purchased to help libraries create E-rate compliant technology plans and better track their technology needs.  Training and documentation on the product is available to assist library staff in learning how to use the software on WebJunction Illinois, (http://il.webjunction.org) OCLC’s online community for library staff.  Over 26,000 non-profit organizations have established accounts on TechAtlas; libraries represent 10,759 of these accounts. The acquisition of the software by OCLC guarantees free access to this resource by public libraries.

WebJunction and the Gates Foundation have been using TechAtlas to provide highly targeted and informed funding with a tool that also provides grantees with many features they need for managing their technology. Over 20,000 surveys have been completed, over 100,000 computers have been inventoried in TechAtlas, and the system is a rich repository of information about technology practices.

TechAtlas provides libraries of all types with the following tools:

• Technology Planning – online step-by-step process of building a technology plan that can be continuously reviewed and updated
• Assessment Instrument – interactive assessments/surveys can be developed and deployed
• Inventory – manual or automated computer inventory and tracking system for hardware, software and electronic resources (if desired)
• Budget – integrated budget planning tool related to the technology plan
• Reporting – readymade reports evaluating technology, as well as a report generator for customized reporting
• Event Tracker – an online tool for tracking technology “events” such as hardware problems or software issues (can be used as a Help Desk tool or a method to formally monitor technology issues)

To use TechAtlas you must first log in at http://webjunction.techatlas.org as administrator on the computer you want use to start creating your inventory.  Accounts for all Illinois Libraries were created during the WebJunction Illinois implementation. If you need your login information contact Wes Smith at smithw@mls.lib.il.us or fill out a form available on the TechAtlas site.

The software offers three different inventory tools: the Manual Tool, Local Tool and Network Tool. Depending on your library’s specific situation, you may use one, two or all three of the tools.  Internet Explorer 5 or higher must be used to run the automated computer inventory tools. The Manual Tool can be used if your library does not have IE 5.0 or higher.

Using TechAtlas is easy; it basically uses your computer to collect information about the current state of technology in your organization within a few minutes.  It then generates reports that include specific recommendations based upon the data entered.  These recommendations can be organized and prioritized in order to tailor the results to your specific needs. 

The data collected for eligible libraries as part of the Gates Opportunity Online hardware grants program is used by the Gates Foundation to determine eligibility for the grant and assess the overall sustainability of technology in public libraries.  TechAtlas has developed careful precautions to protect all user information.  Measures are in place to protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information including the active monitoring of TechAtlas usage to identify any security breaches and other potentially malicious activity on the website.  The other parties that can assess the data are your TechAtlas Partners.  In Illinois the State Library and your Library System are set up as your partners. 

The deadline for creating a plan for the Gates grant was January 5, 2009 but you will need to run the script two more times for the grant.  Besides being a requirement of the Gates Opportunity Online hardware grants, completing a technology inventory using TechAtlas is also required for the FY2010 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Grants. 

TechAtlas also offers self-assessment surveys for your library to identify training and development needs of your staff.  The Professional Development Survey includes categories and questions established by your TechAtlas Partners.  The Technology Skills Survey is a series of questions about technology skills areas which can be printed out or sent by e-mail to library staff members.  It is a self-assessment tool, allowing members of your library staff to profile their technology skills (or lack thereof) in several specific categories.  Once you’ve taken the assessments, TechAtlas will give recommendations on how to improve your digital infrastructure. This guided approach is a great way to take the uncertainty and guesswork out of tech planning.

With TechAtlas you can create a technology plan, assess your staff’s technology skills and track issues or problems with your computer equipment, helping your library keep up to date.  It’s easy to use, quick and easily accessible on WebJunction.  TechAtlas is a good tool to help libraries keep on track with their technology issues and needs.

Questions about this article can be emailed to the MLS Consultants at consultants@mls.lib.il.us.

Published January 7, 2009 in vol. 3, iss. 1 [View]