We provide IT support both internally for GPLS and externally for Georgia’s public libraries. We provide internal desktop support, email, web hosting and maintenance of a file server as well as information security. Externally, support takes the form of Google Chrome and GSuite hosting, enrollment and management, Google for Work for library staff, content creation and management of galibtech.georgialibraries.org, a clearinghouse for use by all libraries, and by the management of a $2.3 million technology grant.

Project Outcomes

List any important findings or outcomes from your project: 

•The Google for Work Project was launched, wherein we are migrating Georgia’s libraries from their currently hosted email solutions to the GSuite cloud application. The new suite of products available include:

• Gmail

• Hangouts

• Calendar

• Google plus

• Google Drive cloud storage

• Google productivity suite

• Docs

• Sheets

• Slides

• Forms

• Sites

• •Launched Google Apps Academy site, including materials and documentation for Georgia libraries:

• Learn all about Google applications

• Devices

• Training Videos

• FAQs

• Security Checklist

• Migration Manuals

•53 library systems are currently deploying over 2,426 Google Chrome boxes, Chrome books and tablets, bringing the number of computers in Georgia’s libraries to 7,000+.

•Types of Operating Systems deployed:

• Computer lab machines for adult use

• Computer lab machines for teen use

• Computer lab machines for children’s use

• OPAC’s

• OPAC’s for children’s use

• Genealogy stations

• Digital signage

• General Information stations

• Loaner devices

• Mobile programming kits

• Testing/Training stations

•The IT team conducted an overhaul of the galibtech site, utilizing Google Sites. It began as an  information clearinghouse for IT administrators in Georgia’s public libraries. It remains a resource for use by IT professionals from our libraries to share experiences and ideas and to explore opportunities made possible by emerging technologies. 

•The MRR Grant Management program was re-branded the “LibTech Fund.” We experienced a transition in the IT Program Manager position responsible for the program. In addition, funding guidelines were changed during the reimbursement phase causing some disruption of service to the libraries. $867,395.81 of FY2018 funds were rolled over to the FY2019 funding year.

Please briefly describe importance of findings. 

•Migrating Georgia’s libraries to GSuite takes, on average 4 weeks at a time, 4 systems at a time. The majority of that time is training and communications. Progress thus far:

773 statewide accounts

240+ mailing lists

18 domains migrated

4 domains in progress at a pace of 1/week and 4/month

•We have migrated 3 library systems that were not previously hosted by GPLS 

•12 applications in the productivity suite

•3 GSuite training sessions

•7 presentations

•60 pages of material on Apps Academy

oTraffic:

55 users

95 sessions

390 page views

26% returning users

•Phase II of project continuing the support of deployment of Google Chrome Boxes and Chrome Books for public access machines and for mobile labs in libraries.

•For cost of less than $170 per machine, utilizing the Google Chrome box with the Google apps environment, there is the potential to replace the following list of individual software licenses for which libraries currently pay:

oMicrosoft Office

oDeep Freeze

oEmail 

oTime management

oSurvey Monkey

oWebex

oChat

•The LibTech Fund program changes resulted in restrictions placed on allowable items. GPLS IT staff worked with libraries to either change purchasing plans, offset rejected items, or to reimburse libraries for the amounts not covered by the funds. The investment in Makerspace technologies subsequently dropped 90% in FY2018 from the previous year.

• The galibtech.georgialibraries.org site has a healthy traffic flow:

• 123 new pages on site

• 600 users/month

• 836 individual sessions

• 1,841 page views

• 22% page views are returning visitors

What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply.

Survey

Review of Administrative Data

Interview/Focus Group

Participant Observation 

 Other – Anecdotal Feedback

Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field.

•As each stage of Chrome books and boxes rolls out, we are more convinced each time that cloud computing is the most efficient and scalable solution for public access computing in libraries.

The Google for Work Project was launched, wherein we are migrating Georgia’s libraries from their currently hosted email solutions to the GSuite cloud application. If GPLS was hosting their current email system, they have been/are in the process of migrating to GSuite. If they are externally hosted, they have the option to be hosted by GPLS and be migrated to GSuite.