Technology Planning: Preparing and Updating a Library Technology Plan » (New Edition)

JOSEPH R. MATTHEWS internationally renowned expert on library automation and information systems, is president of his consulting company Matthews & Associates in Carlsbad, California.

Matthews (library and information science, San Jose State U.) gives good reasons for creating and using comprehensive plans, including generating funding, aligning with other institutions, apprising decision makers about capacity and needs, creating alliances with those who could be helpful, and keeping aware of changes in technology. He works step by step through the process of creating a plan and offers suggestions on writing the most important (and probably the most read) sections of the plan: the recommendations and the executive summary. Matthews gives sample sections, explanations of methodology, forms to use in gathering data, and an appendix on assessing how the library organizes and disseminates information. Each chapter's notes serve as resources. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR