INFOLINK and the INFOLINK Technology Committee find that many libraries in the membership struggle to provide a functional and user-friendly website, due to lack of necessary resources and staff to develop and maintain their website.

In order to help those libraries in need, INFOLINK and the INFOLINK Technology Committee developed an incubator project for Library Website Development Project for FY2008 using the website template developed from the School Library Website Development Project in FY2007. After the proposal was revised by the Executive Director and the INFOLINK Planning Committee, the project proposal was approved by the Executive Board on November 28, 2007. Project Application & Letter of Agreement for Library and/or School Administration [ Deadline - February 11, 2008 ] Word | .pdf INFOLINK Library Website Development Project - "NEW" 1. Background - The School Library Website Development Project 2. Goals and Objectives 3. Project Scope - Requirements and Evaluation Criteria 4. Cost 5. Schedule 6. How to Apply 1. Background - The School Library Website Development Project Arts High School - http://www.artshs.org Columbia High School - http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/~chslib/index.htm Hoboken High School - http://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us/hhs/library/ Jonathan Dayton High School - http://www.springfieldschools.com/library/index.html South Plainfield High School - http://www.sphsinfo.org The School Library Website Development Project is a successfully implemented incubator project of INFOLINK and the INFOLINK Technology Committee, for FY2007.   The INFOLINK Technology Committee investigated the technology needs of member libraries for a potential incubator project.  The committee found that more than 80% of school libraries in the INFOLINK region lacked a web presence, making it difficult to offer services to students and staff outside of school hours. In two separate meetings of UMASL, the Middlesex/Union county affiliate of NJASL, and NJASL’s website development committee, school librarians identified this void and their struggle to rectify the problem. The committee submitted a proposal for the School Library Website Development Project to the Executive Director and the INFOLINK Planning Committee in Fall 2006, and the proposal was approved by the Executive Board.  Mi-Sun Lyu, Program and Services Coordinator, was appointed as the project manager, and INFOLINK contracted with Tim Gardner (codeHorse, Inc) and Fredi Bremond (Fredi B. Design) for website template design and implementation.  In December 2006, the following five school libraries were selected: Arts High School Library (Newark), Columbia High School Library (South Orange/Maplewood), Hoboken High School Library, Jonathan Dayton High School Library (Springfield), and South Plainfield High School Library. The project team consisting of the project manager, the website design vendor, and the five participating libraries worked together to develop a functional and attractive site that fits today’s needs.  Based on the team efforts and discussions, the web design vendor created generic web templates, and each library worked with the vendor to modify the templates to meet the individual needs of each library.  Simultaneously, web design software training sessions for DreamWeaver and Adobe Contribute were offered to the participating librarians to enable them to maintain their website independently. At the conclusion of the five month timeline, all five participating libraries have officially launched their website and have received very positive reactions from their community which includes principals, teachers, and students.  Assistance from INFOLINK provided the means to build a web presence and add legitimacy to the participating libraries request for funds and support within the school community.  The project team presented the project at INFOLINK’s Tech Is It Day and will be presenting it at the NJASL Annual Conference on Nov. 16, 2007. One of the project’s goals was to make the website template, the outcome of the project, available to other libraries for replication in the INFOLINK region. In order to encourage member libraries to take advantage of the website template, INFOLINK and the INFOLINK Technology Committee have decided to offer a follow-up incubator project to additional libraries in the region.   [ back to top ] 2. Goals and Objectives Goals With the successful completion of this project, Participating librarians will: Produce a website that provides the community with additional access to quality services; Pledge the time and energy necessary to complete the project successfully; Maintain the website independently and in a timely manner; Build collaboration and pursue the potential for expanded partnerships in their community through the use of the website; Serve as role models for other libraries seeking a web presence; and, Educate customers on their journey to become more proficient library users.  INFOLINK will: Adhere to the INFOLINK’s Strategic Plan’s goal to maximize people’s access to information and technology; Fulfill the benchmark plan of the INFOLINK’s Strategic Plan that INFOLINK staff with the Technology Committee will implement the template developed by the School Library Website Development Project with at least five libraries. Support the participating libraries effort to build a website to improve access and services to their community; Support the participating libraries efforts to serve as role models for other libraries seeking a web presence; and Promote its services to small libraries to encourage active participation. Objectives Participating library will: Collaborate with a project manager to build website; Devote the necessary time to complete the project and attend training sessions; Liaison with administration or IT staff for successful completion of project; Update website in a timely manner for three years following completion; and, Provide knowledge and guidance, whenever possible, to other libraries seeking to build a website. INFOLINK will: Administer the website development through a project manager, whose role will be to oversee project, liaison between Infolink and participating libraries, and to facilitate training program through vendor chosen by Infolink; and, Provide access to program documentation upon completion of the project.   [ back to top ] 3. Project Scope - Requirements and Evaluation Criteria The project willl be offered to up to 10 libraries of any type in FY2008.  The participating libraries will modify the website template that was developed from the School Library Website Development Project in FY2007. This template provides simple and basic website design, and see the five school libraries’ websites if you are interested in this project.  The selected 10 libraries will launch their website within the project schedule by participating in group discussions, communication and attendance at training sessions under the guidance of a project manager. A. Libraries must meet the following requirements to submit their project application: Training Requirement The 10 selected libraries are required to participate in at least 6 full-day trainings throughout the project: 4 full-day trainings on DreamWeaver and 1 full-day on Adobe Contribute using the website template, and 1-full-day on Website Design Principles. One or two additional full-day training sessions may be provided as necessary. The selected libraries are encouraged, but are not required to participate. Group Communication and Discussion Requirement The selected libraries are required to participate in ongoing group discussions through a project wiki and to attend a minimum of two to three meetings with the project manager and/or the project group as necessary.  The project wiki will be the primary communication methods among the project group to share their ideas and suggestions.  The project manager and each participating library will also communicate through teleconference to meet their library’s specific needs in developing their website.  Technical Requirements DreamWeaver and Contribute software are the two preferred web development tools for this project. For school libraries that plan to host on their school’s server, the school must either allow the use of DreamWeaver, or must identify and provide access to the web development tools used. Other types of libraries must meet the system requirements to use DreamWeaver and Contribute that are indicated in the Eligibility Statement and Application for the Library Website Development Project (attached). The selected libraries have to meet the Internet Access and Web Hosting requirements that are also indicated in the attached Eligibility Statement and Application for the project. Other Requirements At the completion of the project, the selected libraries must participate in the project evaluation at the project completion. The evaluation process will be guided by the INFOLINK Office. Also, the libraries must submit a yearly update to INFOLINK for three years after the project completion. A report form will be provided by the INFOLINK Office. B. Library Selection Criteria (Also listed on page 3 of the Application.) Ten libraries will be selected based on their eligibility, location, and their commitment to the project and ongoing website maintenance. The INFOLINK Executive Director and a task force of invitees from the membership and INFOLINK Committees will review and evaluate the submissions. The Executive Director will determine the contract awards. INFOLINK administrativestaff will oversee the project. Selection criteria include: Evaluation criteria Point value 1. Application statement including: (a) description of the library and its mission; (b) relation of INFOLINK’s project goals to library’s strategic goals; © commitment to all project goals and requirements; (d) self-evaluation of library’s current web presence; (e) expansion of local needs and challenges (if any) relating to this project. 85 2. Commitment to work with INFOLINK in the project documentation (wiki), promotion and evaluation. 5 3. Inclusion of a sustainability statement. 5 4. Geographical distribution and multi-type library representation of applicant within cooperative. 5 Total Points 100 [ back to top ] 4. Cost INFOLINK has budgeted up to $15,000 for FY2008 [ Sections A – F below ] A. Project Management Mi-Sun Lyu, INFOLINK Program and Services Coordinator, will serve as Project Manager. Responsibilities of the Project Manger are to: a. Plan, manage, and execute the project and report to INFOLINK and the INFOLINK Technology Committee.  Assist participating libraries, as needed, to modify the website templates to meet the individual needs. b. Work with training vendor to arrange and manage training sessions. c. Manage project meetings as necessary and communicate with participating libraries. d. Provide support to selected libraries for six months after successful launch    B. Web Hosting a. If on School Web Server: No cost b. If using Web Hosting Service: Maintain each library's own web hosting account C. Domain Registration D. Software Purchase: 50% subsidization of total cost  - Adobe Creative Web Premium (Education) E. Training for DreamWeaver & Contribute with the Website templates a. Required Trainings: - 4 sessions of DreamWeaver training: Basics, CSS use, and template modification - 1 session of Contribute training for content posting - 1 session on Website Design Principals b. One staff member from each participating library will be required to attend training sessions.  Due to limited space, the training will be limited to two representatives from each library and the possibility exists that each pair will share one computer. F. Promotional Materials & miscellaneous FY2008 Cost to Participating Libraries - $249.50       A. Software Purchase: $249.50 - Adobe Creative Web Premium (Education): $499. INFOLINK will subsidize 50% of it. - For libraries that have equal or higher version of DreamWeaver 8 & Contribute 3, no software purchase necessary. Future and Ongoing Costs to Participating Libraries for Year 2-3 For Participating Libraries that would use a web hosting server provided by INFOLINK * A. Web Hosting: $159.60/Year * a. If on School Web Server: No cost b. If using Web Hosting Service: Maintain each library's own web hosting account     Sample Pricing for Web Hosting     $13.30/month with annual purchase at networksolutions.com      » 15GB Disk Space     » 400GB Monthly Traffic     » 6 FTP Accounts        » 100 Email Accounts     B. Domain Registration: $14.99/Year with Networksolutions.com * * For all libraries (except public libraries) that elect to use a web hosting server provided by INFOLINK.  Public Libraries need to contact the State Library for their web hosting server requirements.          [ back to top ] 5. Schedule: Project Completion by June 2008 By early December, 2007 Application posted for eligible libraries. February 11, 2008 Deadline for libraries application for participation in project February 13, 2008 The Selection Committee will select participating libraries according to criteria established in application February 15,2008 Selection of libraries announced by INFOLINK Mid-late February 2008 Website Development: The project manager and participating libraries meet to gather information on requirements and to discuss website design, as necessary. Project manager will facilitate group meetings with all ten libraries and one meeting with each library individually for planning and design purposes. DreamWeaver and Contribute training for two staff members from each library.  Due to space constraints, it may be necessary for each pair to share one workstation. May 15, 2008 Website soft-launch and testing with modifications made as needed May 30, 2008 Official website launch June 2008 Promotion: The website project completion will be promoted through INFOLINK and the community at the ten participating libraries.   [ back to top ] 6. How to Apply 1. Project Application & 2. Letter of Agreement for Library and/or School Administration Word | .pdf Member libraries interested in participating in this project, please fill out the 1. Application with an application statement relating to the evaluation criteria (also listed on page 3 of the Application) and the 2. Letter of Agreement for Library Board/School Administration and send them to INFOLINK Office: INFOLINK, 44 Stelton Rd, Suite 330, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone: 732-752-7720, Fax: 732-752-7785 Application deadline: Monday, February 11, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact us at 732-752-7720. [ back to top ]