PROJECT PROPOSAL: Evans Computer Lab

DATE June 30, 2008

Concept Introduction

On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, Janine Reid, Susan Staples and Elena Rosenfeld met with Cathy Sandoval and Andy McRoberts about the possibility of the Library District providing computer services in the Evans Community Complex located at 37th St. and 11th Ave.

The proposed space currently serves as a computer lab. The equipment would need to be replaced and updated; a faster Internet connection would be needed; and we would want to provide a level of staffing to provide classes and possible oversight over the area.

Current users are primarily teens and some seniors. Teens have successfully bypassed security systems on the existing machines which has resulted in computer viruses that have locked-up the machines.

Current Information

  • Population of Evans is about 19,000
  • Over 1,000 people have a Recreational Center ID card

**Note: the following tracks usage not persons. The count likely includes repeat visitors**

  • Based on login records, the computer lab has about 400 users per month.
  • The facility (as a whole) has about 1,000 users per month.
  • When including special programs, the estimate can increase to 2,000 users per month

Original interests noted during the April 16th Meeting by Cathy & Andy

  • May increase homebound options by tying into the Community Center’s RSVP, Meals on Wheels variation
  • They would like machines to include Internet access, MSOffice Suite, filtering software
  • Online GED would be helpful (McGraw-Hill connection)

Proposal

To host a 6 month – 1 year pilot test of computer lab

During this time, HPLD will provide:

  • Library Staff Member to serve as coordinator/scheduler/central point of contact – this person will also serve as the project lead for HPLD.
  • 6 to 9 computer stations (depending on available space, bandwidth, computers)
  • Will utilize PC Reservation
  • PC res would be setup like Erie with walk up/validated reservations
  • People will be required to have an HPLD card to use the computers
  • Need a process with Community Center staff to help those w/out a card
  • Will be set as a regular HPLD Internet Access computer
  • We anticipate that the Community Center will be defined as a Library location
  • Will utilize filtering and security software
  • This might or might not be effective as restarting in safe mode negates filtering software
  • Will utilize E*vanced Calendar
  • Programs at EvansCommunity Centermight not need to booked via E*vanced
  • E*vanced will be useful for those wanting to attend programs at other locations
  • 1 PC Reservation / Printing station
  • 1 shared printer connected with vending box (accept coins, $1.00 and $5.00 bills) – Note: concern was expressed with recommendation to use printing process currently utilized at community center.
  • DSL Internet access for all computer stations
  • Work tables and chairs for computer stations
  • 1 spin rack of donated paperback books
  • 1 rack for donated/weeded magazines
  • Scheduled staff time for classes, programming, and reference assistance
  • Exclusion: wireless Internet access is not part of this program

**possible add-on benefit: rack(s) in exercise space for magazines & pbks for those using cardio machines**

Information Needed

  • Communication Concerns:
  • Best way for Evans staff to communicate IT issues
  • Best way for Evans staff to communicate non-IT issues
  • Best ways for public at Evans to communicate to library staff (through Evans staff?)
  • Best way for HPLD to communicate with Evans staff
  • Communication route to get issues resolved efficiently and effectively
  • Could HPLD offer remote communications via chat, live person window with chat, etc?
  • Should HPLD offer a Library “hotline” phone for patron and/or staff assistance?
  • Electrical resources available
  • Current Internet services available
  • Potential Internet services available
  • Staffing resources for Library programming (ie – classes, book discussion groups, research assistance, etc)
  • Note: both Farr and CP managers have acknowledged staff availability
  • Staff resources for Library materials handling (ie – delivery of holds; pick-up of returns)
  • Process for contractual negotiations – items to cover include:
  • Communications necessary for IT work
  • Assign a primary contact from each organization for communications
  • Levels of issues that Evans staff would troubleshoot
  • Levels of issues requiring HPLD staff involvement
  • Communication route to get issues resolved efficiently and effectively
  • space allocation
  • responsibility for safety of equipment
  • hours for HPLD staff coverage
  • liability distribution

Stakeholders

  • Evans Community Complex Staff – equipment security, possible IT aspects, user questions
  • Users of computers at the Evans Community Complex
  • Primarily seniors in morning and early noon hours (weekdays)
  • Primarily teens in later afternoon/evening on weekdays and throughout the day on weekends
  • Potential computer users
  • Potential borrowers of Library materials
  • HPLD IT Staff
  • Assigned HPLD Public Services Staff
  • Supervisors of assigned HPLD PS Staff
  • Possible HPLD delivery staff or contractual couriers
  • HPLD Executive Director

Cost/Benefit

ITEMCOSTBENEFIT

Staff support – from existing locations. If program continues past pilot, will look into whether a staff member should be hired for Evans. /
  • Staff time from home location
/
  • No direct cost increase for staffing

2 spin racks for paperback books /
  • Have some from Farr

1 rack for magazines /
  • Have some from CVR

Paperback Books /
  • Staff time for managing donations & filling racks
/
  • Minimal cost for new materials on start-up

Magazines /
  • Staff time for managing donations & filling racks
/
  • Minimal cost for new materials on start-up

Additional wiring in the room and wiring for the utility device room /
  • Evans cost? – materials, facility management
  • HPLD cost? – installation
/ REQUIRED to maintain systems
Place to store utility devices (including additional wiring to support separate network) /
  • Evans cost? – materials, facility management
  • HPLD cost? – installation
/ REQUIRED to maintain systems
HPLD IT staff will need access to the building and room /
  • Evans cost? – additional security protocols
  • HPLD cost – time, travel
/ REQUIRED to maintain systems

Risk/Benefit

CONCEPTRISKBENEFIT/MITIGATION

Staff to provide assistance, programs, classes /
  • Libraries not able to provide staff
  • Staff from existing locations puts stress on in-house efforts
  • Need to hire staff for Evans
  • Direct supervision of staff may be challenging if Evans-only staff
/
  • Provides onsite support for public and security for machines
  • Provides more public contact
  • May lead to more active library service beyond online

Provide access to low-risk materials (donated books & magazines) /
  • Theft – non-returned items
  • Other places will want same service
  • Increase demand for improved service
/
  • Okay for donated items
  • YES!!!
  • YES!!!
**note, need a plan of action for growth of these types of service escalation plans if the pilot is successful*
Computers on site /
  • Hacking of system
  • Possible theft/vandalism
/
  • Software removes all downloaded materials at reboot
  • Computers only available if Library Staff avail? (not ideal)

Coin operated printing /
  • Possible theft/vandalism
  • Inappropriate materials being printed
/
  • Frees Evans staff from handling all print jobs
  • Greater confidentiality of what’s being printed
  • Have print station in clear view of Evans staff
  • Skip coin op and have staff manage printing; but use software to assess cost for # of pages being printed

Designate funds specifically to the project /
  • Adjusting budget might be challenging
  • Assessing costs between HPLD IT, PS and Evans may be challenging
/
  • Assigned budget will create a fiscal framework for the pilot project.
  • Adjustments will be tracked to more accurately anticipate future budget needs

Success Defined

  • Usage Statistics –
  • Anecdotal Feedback –

City of Evans Demographics– Provided by Andy McRoberts and Cathy Sandoval

Population is close to 20,000

Personal Transportation – many do not own vehicles

EVANSSTATE OF COLORADO

Median Income$35,727$49,184

Economically Disadvantaged 76% 34%

Percent with College Degree 23% 33%

CLASSROOM COMPOSITION

Centennial John Evans

ElementaryDos Rios State Average Middle School

Hispanic 82% 69%29%64%

Migrant 14% 5% 1%11%

Caucasian 16% 27%61%34%

Other 2% 5%10%--

Free Lunch 84% 59%30%63%

School-wide reading proficiency68%

School-wide math proficiency56%

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