3. Introduction
In October 2013, the Library Board of Trustees adopted a Strategic
Plan that will serve as a guide for the future planning for Charlotte
Mecklenburg Library over the next three years. One of the three
strategic goals of this plan was to “Innovate to support 21st century
access.” Today’s patrons are digital consumers in many areas of their
lives and the library recognizes the need to meet patrons on the digital
landscape. The goal to provide a robust digital experience affects the
library’s collection, programming, and staffing as well as its processes
and procedures. Library administration, acknowledging the tremendous
importance and scope of the Digital Strategy Project, extended the
opportunity to participate to all Library staff. Seventy-six staff members
from all departments and from of all positions began the research phase
in November 2013.
4. The Workgroups and the Steering Committee
The Digital Strategy project was divided into
five unique workgroups, tasked with
researching, identifying, and formulating the
best possible solutions for the Library’s
Digital Strategy. These solutions, or Guiding
Principles, serve as guidelines for the
organization’s digital future.
The Workgroup’s efforts were coordinated
and managed by the Steering Committee,
which guided each workgroup in their
progress.
5.
6. The Steering Committee
The Steering Committee collaborated with
each Workgroup’s efforts, serving as a catalyst
and guide to their work, while systematically
organizing a comprehensive vision for the
entire project.
The Steering Committee also worked with the
Project’s Advisory Board made up of library
leadership and community advisors, keeping
them informed of the project’s progress and
responding, in turn, to their input.
7. Content Workgroup
Responsible for recommending guiding
principles for the Library’s current and
future digital content:
● Who will create content?
● What types of content should be
explored?
● How will content be accessed?
Reviewed best practices from other
libraries and other industries that
organize and disseminate digital content
to customers/users.
8. Responsible for recommending guiding
principles on how to best foster
community within a digital space. This
workgroup extensively covered social
media, digital programming, and
interactive user experiences.
Community Workgroup
9. Digitization Workgroup
Responsible for recommending guiding
principles for the Library’s digitization
efforts. Evaluated current best practices
seen in other libraries, and outside
industries. Explored ways to produce
community digitization projects utilizing
the community’s local, unique content.
10. User Experience Workgroup
Responsible for recommending guiding
principles for creating an improved and
intuitive digital interface. Customer
navigation, usability, and communication
within the digital platform fell under this
workgroup’s scope.
11. Infrastructure Workgroup
Responsible for recommending guiding
principles in regards to the
infrastructure and technology needed in
order to implement all Digital Strategy
goals. Created side by side comparisons
on current vendor solutions to address
current and future needs.
12. Advisory Board
Organized and developed the initial
project plan, identified a Project
Manager, and extended the invitation
for staff to participate within the library
system. Encouraged a broad view
perspective while providing guidance to
the Steering Committee and the Project
Manager as the work progressed. This
Council was made up of members from
the Executive Leadership Team as well
as a Technology Industry Expert.
14. Unifying Digital: One login. One interface. One platform.
Guiding Principle: Create and
present a unified digital
platform that empowers
customers to access the
Library’s entire digital
collection as well as library
services with only one login.
Richland Public Library
15. Unifying Digital: One login. One interface. One platform.
A single search box will provide library
customers with a comprehensive list of
library collection materials, programs and
other resources.
Des Moines Public Library
16. This digital platform
will retain the same
consistent and
available support of
librarians and
information
professionals
accessible at branch
locations.
Unifying Digital: One login. One interface. One platform.
17. Examples: Single search, one login for all
vendor products, Bento Box Search Results
See: Richland Public Library, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill
Unifying Digital: One login. One interface. One platform.
Richland Public Library
18. Removing Barriers : Access to everything, anywhere.
Guiding Principle: The Library’s
digital space will offer the same level
of service online that is delivered
during in-person interactions. Core
services such as reference, reader's
advisory, program delivery, card
application and replacement, fine
processing, and password assistance
will be seamlessly translated onto the
digital platform.
19. This platform will be responsive and
mobile friendly, supporting browsers
on multiple devices and operating
systems.
Removing Barriers : Access to everything, anywhere.
Bibliocommons
20. Removing Barriers : Access to everything, anywhere.
In evaluating the digital
platform, the Library will
include user interface
testing and feedback from
diverse segments of the
community to ensure that
resources are not only of
high quality but also easy to
access.
21. Removing Barriers : Access to everything, anywhere.
The Library will seek solutions and partnerships to address
the digital divide in the Charlotte Mecklenburg
community. The Library will continue to provide
technology education, free access to computers and the
Internet, and inexpensive access to printers and other
resources.
22. Removing Barriers : Access to everything, anywhere.
Universal design* elements will be a priority in
the development and ongoing maintenance
of the digital platform.
As with physical spaces and collections, the
Library will comply with ADA requirements
and make digital materials accessible for all
customers, including those with disabilities.
*Measures for creating inherently accessible spaces for all, including
older adults, people without disabilities and people with disabilities
23. The Library will also explore ways to minimize
language barriers through automated
translation tools, selection of foreign language
resources, and/or lowered reading levels of
English text.
Removing Barriers : Access to everything, anywhere.
See: Chicago Public Library Spanish
Chicago Public Library
24. Fostering an Interactive Digital Community
Guiding Principle: The Library is at the nexus of
information, reading, culture and community in
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The Library will
encourage both people and information to move fluidly
between both physical and digital spaces. We plan to
leverage this position online by providing opportunities
for customers to connect with Library staff, collection
materials and resources, and each other. The digital
platform will engage community members through
multiple interactive features.
Image
Des Moines Public Library
25. The digital platform will allow
members of the public, with staff or
volunteer moderation, to comment
on Library programming, as well as to
share additional information about
relevant community events. The
Library 3.0 Social Media team will also
showcase the Library on major social
media sites and remain responsive to
community comments or questions.
Fostering an Interactive Digital Community
26. Examples: Online discussions, Social network
applications, Gamification, Content creation and
sharing, Channels for public comments/feedback
See: King County Library’s Readometer App,
Goodreads Groups, Reddit Books, Reddit Author
AMA, Foursquare
Fostering an Interactive Digital Community
King County Library
27. Empowering The Individual
Guiding Principle: Users of the digital platform will
have the freedom to customize their experience. The
Library maintains its commitment to privacy as a
foundation for Intellectual Freedom while offering
optional personalization tools.
Patrons will continue to manage their digital profile
and borrowing accounts online.
28. Empowering The Individual
Examples: User generated lists,
Recommended titles and programs,
Saved search history, Subscriptions and
notifications, Social Media Integration
See: Amazon, Goodreads, Netflix, New
York Public Library User Profiles
29. Reaching Farther with Programming
Guiding Principle Through the digital
platform, the Library will have the
opportunity to provide digital programming
and services to customers twenty-four hours
a day. New digital tools will be utilized to
extend traditional library services outside of
branch locations.
New York Public Library
30. Reaching Farther with Programming
Examples: Interactive forums for book
clubs, Guided library branch tours,
Livestreamed storytimes, Live or archived
performances/lectures, and Computer
classes and trainings.
See: Live from NYPL, Darien After Dark
Goodreads
31. Preserving our Past
Guiding Principle: The Library will renew its
commitment and duty to preserve Charlotte and
Mecklenburg County’s local and genealogical history by
creating and curating digital exhibits and database
resources from the archives of the Robinson-Spangler
Carolina Room.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
32. In an effort to ensure that this knowledge and
data will be available for all future generations,
these collections must be digitally preserved
and developed with sustainability in mind,
showcasing items of unique and historical
value not found online through other libraries,
databases, or websites.
Preserving our Past
Digital NC
33. Once selected, these items will be digitized
utilizing a combination of vendor or in-house
solutions, adhering to best practice, copyright
laws, and industry standards.
Preserving our Past
34. All digitized items will be discoverable not only
from the Library’s digital platform, but also on
major search engines, and the Digital Public
Library of America [DPLA], ensuring that
everyone can have free access to the rich history
of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Preserving our Past
35. Examples: Online exhibits, Community
transcription projects, Metadata tagging
games
See: Digital Public Library of America, NYPL’s
What’s on the Menu Project, Monroe County
Public Library’s Flickr, Digital NC’s Newspaper
Project, Metadata Games
Preserving our Past
Chicago Public Library
36. Equipping Staff for the 21st Century
Guiding Principle: The digital platform will
empower Library staff to create and curate
content, while serving customers at point of need.
Adequately supporting and training staff to adjust
to these coming changes will be a high priority for
the Library.
Chicago Public Library
37. Equipping Staff for the 21st Century
Examples: Content Management System,
Book Recommendations, Blogs, Podcasts,
Instructional Videos
See: Chicago Public Library Staff Picks, Los
Angeles Public Library Podcasts, NYPL Blogs,
Bibliocommons CMS
Richland Public Library
38. Supporting Sustainable, Nimble and Innovative Progress
Guiding Principle: Decisions
regarding infrastructure needed to
support the Library’s Digital
Strategy will be made in
collaboration with County IST,
Library leadership, and Library staff.
39. A rubric will be applied to assess the following when considering any
technology for acquisition, renewal or upgrade:
➔ service orientation
➔ cost-effectiveness
➔ reliability
➔ security
➔ sustainability
These open standards will ensure transparency, financial stewardship, and
fairness in judging potential infrastructure.
Supporting Sustainable, Nimble and Innovative Progress
➔ flexibility
➔ scalability
➔ interoperability
➔ openness
➔ strategic alignment
40. Next Steps
➔ Feedback from ELT
➔ Staff Input Piece
➔ Community Input Piece
➔ Revision and Implementation Plan
42. Project Participants
Steering Committee
Team Lead:
Seth Ervin
Co-Lead:
Janet Goretti
Content:
Tom Cole & Leanda Gahegan
Digitization:
Mimi Curlee & Michael Bartlett
Community:
Beck Gorman & Eric Hartman
Infrastructure:
Asa Yoel & Rachel Kubie
User Experience:
Ursula Guidry & Malcolm Plummer
Content Workgroup
Team Lead:
Amy Richard
Co-Lead:
Angel Truesdale
Staff Content Tools:
Paul DeVillo, Lydia Towery, Vicki Huffman
Digital Patron Content Development:
Krisiti Madron, Angel Truesdale, Mary Kyle
Search/Discovery Tool:
Bruce Edelman, John Swearingen, Marilyn Foulke
Explore Creating a Library owned Platform for e-content:
Trilby Meeks, Jori Frazier, Kim Arlia
43. Project Participants
Digitization Workgroup
Team Lead:
Christen Higgins
Co-lead:
Leslie Kesler
Members:
Jeff Arnold, Paulina Barrier,
Nathan Cook, Ed McDonald,
Lois Kilkka, Jamey Rorie
Community Workgroup
Team Lead:
Amrita Patel
Co-lead:
Alicia Finley
Children's Services:
Cathy Cartledge, Brian Hart,
Maeve Cunningham
Teen Services:
Jimmeka Anderson,
Marcy White
Adult Services:
Lawrence Turner,
Christie Buchanon-Wellmon,
Dot Siler
Social Media:
Alicia Finley, Linda Katzman,
Leah Yeomans
Infrastructure Workgroup
Team Lead:
Bethany Scott
Co-lead:
Peter Jareo
ILS:
Peter Jareo,
Michael Englebrecht,
Tyler Mayser, Gary Rautenstrauch
Search/Discovery interface:
John Peitzman, Kenya Sloan,
Juliana Dyson, Bethany Scott
Hardware:
Frank Blair, Gail Stem, David Sniffin
Other Members:
Cliff Dupuy
44. Project Participants
User Experience Workgroup
Team Lead:
Amy Wyckoff
Co-Lead:
Mike Wozniak
Information Architecture:
Vickie Chapman, Linda Tarney,
Mike Wozniak, Nelson Engelbrecht
Visual Design:
Sheila Bumgarner, Jeremy Lytal,
Malcolm Plummer, Rosanne Losee
Interaction Design:
Heidi Flythe, Mercede Walker,
Amy Wyckoff, Harold Escalante
Advisory Board
Project Manager:
Chantez Neymoss
Community and Industry Advisor:
Gary Rautenstrauch
Advisors:
David Singleton
Leonora Kaufmann
Frank Blair
Linda Raymond
