Lapeer
County Government On-LineLapeer
County Government On-LineLapeer County Library's goal in the Lapeer County Government On-Line is to help Lapeer County Government units mount identified local information on our community network, Lapeer County Information Depot.
We worked with and trained 14 county departments in the organization and digital integration of community information resources and web site development. We plan to recruit six county government departments, agencies and/or commissions for.
We contracted services for World Wide Web site development workshops and follow-up training and on-going individual training and support. Our project facilitator and assistant accomplished the following tasks:
Two of the three members of the project team were professional librarians and the third was a computer professional. It was clear to the team that we needed to establish protocols for web design and information architecture. Digital integration of community information resources actions were expanded as we evaluated how we wanted the "look and feel" of the website to operate.. The team developed:
We feel that the biggest strength of our design and long-range value of this project will be in these customized information management systems.
Our second objective was to mount appropriate software on selected county computers and the Lapeer County Information Depot server to assist in World Wide Web navigation, HTML authoring and web site maintenance. We purchased server software to accommodate listserve and other software identified as necessary to the success of the project. We conducted needs assessments and provided minimum hardware standards to participating entities to ensure their computers were ready to receive client software. We mounted applicable client software on selected computers in selected county departments. We made site visits to each site and loaded everything they needed on their computers that allowed them to participate in this project.
We purchased a multimedia computer and coupled it with existing equipment in Lapeer County Library's Internet Training Center. This workstation was used by our facilitator as well as by participants. The attached peripherals included a digital camera and a flat-bed scanner.
Purchased Hardware:
Purchased Software:
Existing Hardware:
The server on which the Lapeer County Government On-line resides is a Mac environment. Many of the software purchases were based on this environment. FileMaker Pro 3.0 and Lasso 2.0 work together to provide a robust, interactive HTML platform. For those in a PC environment, FileMaker Pro 4.0 combines many of the options but, is much more limited in its features. Two computers were purchased; one PC and one Mac. The Mac with zip drive allows us to create a "road show" server that does not require connectivity. , The dynamic features of the databases can be demonstrated because it can have the FileMaker Pro/Lasso software loaded on the zip or hard drive. This would not have been possible with only a PC.
An added benefit of this project was the upgrading of the Internet Training Center. Our project facilitator assistant was based in the center. He was able to spend time configuring the four existing stations, setting up three additional computers and networking all of them together. It is safe to say that without his expertise, the ITC would not be as efficient and usable as it now is. The on-site presence of the project facilitator assistant raised the awareness of the potential of the ITC and the need for someone to serve as a coordinator / trainer for the center.
We developed and implemented an informal marketing plan for promotion and showing of presentation materials. We contracted services to produce promotional and informational presentations showcasing Lapeer County Government information. These will include:
Explain the impact of the project on the target audience. Also, if the estimated number of persons served by the project is different than the original project estimate identified in the application, explain the difference.
We exceeded our expectation of participation by 200+%. We had hoped to solicit six (6) departments to participate and we had fifteen (15); although one department never went beyond the initial needs assessment. An unanticipated impact of the project has been in providing basic Internet connectivity and e-mail accounts of Lapeer County Government employees participating in the project. Of the fifteen participants only two had existing web pages; three (3) had e-mail accounts; and one (1) had a direct Internet connection.
Comment on the long term benefits of this project as they apply to the following:
Patrons
Lapeer County Government On-Line has paved a direct line of access to Lapeer County Government information. Traditionally local government information is the most difficult public information to access. This project has created a gateway to public information that is easy to use, efficient and accessible.
Funding
It has become clear to the participants in this project that funding to hire a webmaster and to provide time for departments to work on their pages is critical to the continued growth of Lapeer County Government On-Line. An ad hoc committee has been established to examine future funding sources. Lapeer County Technology Coalition, Lapeer County Library and Lapeer County Government are working together to investigate "creative cost sharing" to hire a webmaster.
Library staff
The library has been identified by the Lapeer County administrator as the Interenet coordinator for all departments. The library is relied on for Internet troubleshooting and technology assistance. The library image as information provider and emerging technology leader has been greatly enhanced through this project.
Collaboration
Lapeer County Technology Coalition, Lapeer County Library, Lapeer Community Schools, Lapeer Intermediate School District and Lapeer County Government are working together in a manner they weren't before this project. This has been a coalition builder. It has shown the benefit of working together and has brought people to the technology table that did not see a reason to be there in the past.
Describe the overall planning and implementation of the project, including information about adjustment and revisions made during its implementation. In retrospect, are there things you would do differently?
This project was very successful. Action steps toward reaching the goals and objectives, measured against the benchmarks, were accurate and timely in their implementation. Adjustments were made in the marketing and promotion approach due to the extended illness of the project director, alternate plans were made and were effective. Our promotional products have been well-received. Revisions in the marketing plan insured in the purchase of a second computer that could be used for "road shows" where connectivity would not be necessary to the functionality of the relational database embedded in the website. This proved to be a very effective marketing tool, as demonstrations and hands-on experience were possible regardless of venue.
Those participants that came to us with understanding the value of the Internet went further faster. The connectivity issues were frustrating. The "barn raising" approached seemed simple enough; however, the lack of standard equipment, computer access and Internet connections caused unforeseen delays. The selection of the facilitator and assistant was critical to the success of this project. Their understanding of Internet connectivity issues and their creativity in solving problems was indispensable.
At the wrap-up meeting, the project team was viewed unanimously as the biggest strength of the project. The greatest weakness was lack of time, the inability to be remove from the work environment to concentrate on the web development, and the lack of direct access.
In retrospect, we would have done nothing differently with what we had to work with. The library needs to continue to encourage and educate the county on the benefits of a networked environment with direct Internet connections, file servers, shared software files, and access on every desktop.
We know that you need to produce Internet savvy users before you can expect them to become effective Internet publishers. We encourage the library to take the lead in providing staff and professional development and training opportunities for Internet and computer literacy offered to all county employees. The library needs to take an active role to create the buy-in. The user base must become much larger than the developer base for the information and content to be of value.
In what way did this project add value to Lapeer County Information Depot and Michigan Electronic Library information?
Lapeer County Government On-Line is content rich with a depth to its structure that can be expanded and refined as time goes on. It has increased citizen access to public information, heightened interest and understanding of the Internet among county employees, enhanced a sense of teamwork among county departments, and tied together local government information in a way that is easily accessed and understandable.
Has access to Lapeer County Information Depot increased as a result of this added information?
What were the three most accessed sites added to Lapeer County Information Depot as a result of this project?
What were the major strengths of this project? Weaknesses? How could this project be improved?
Strengths:
Project facilitator and assistant:
Knowledge, support, hands-on training, availability, flexibility, talked to participants at an understandable level, sense of community and connections through team approach.
Web design
Positive change agent
Weaknesses:
Improved:
The design worked as we expected. We had hoped for six departments to participate and got fifteen. We began with no county government information being produced and now have a robust website with five departments actively updating and expanding their information. We are encourage with the success of this project and look forward to exciting and innovative things to happen with Lapeer County Government On-Line as it becomes formally adopted by the County.
What needs to be accomplished to assure sustainability and growth?
What commitments should be asked of participating County entities to its continued sustainability and growth?
An ad hoc committee has been established to make a plan for a strategic plan and implementation schedule that will include department policies, procedures that will "institutionalize" department involvement in the website. Sources of funding will be sought to sustain continued training, staff development, allotted time for web exploration and content development, and funds for a webmaster. Infrastructure needs to be in place in all departments with direct connections and individual access to computers for the website to grow and prosper.
The library needs to continue to be viewed as a main player in this process. It is the team' strong feeling that a librarian with Internet and webmaster skills needs to be the one considered for such a position. We suggest that someone from the team be incorporated as a consultant as they have the "memory" necessary to continuation. Even though documentation has been thorough, that human intermediary is essential.
Describe evaluation methodologies used and report on specific evaluation findings. Include how evaluation results will be used in future planning. Please restate each objective's benchmarks and address them.
Benchmark 1: By the end of the third month a project facilitator will be hired and six county departments recruited for participation. All software and updates will be purchased and installed, protocols for updating and maintaining information will be in place. The marketing strategy committee will have met and set a schedule.
It is clear that the success of this project was in our decision to hire a project facilitator and assistant. We were able to move at a fast and consistent pace because we had two people focused on this project. Because the project director became gravely ill during the timeline, the marketing strategy committee never got off the ground. We were, however, able to adjust to this unforeseen problem and were successful in our promotion.
Benchmark 2: By the end of the six month listserve, on-line and video conferencing, and on-line help established. Four day-long workshops and four 1/2 workshops will be held. Search for multimedia presentation contracted services will have been started.
We established the listserve early. It became clear, because of connectivity issues, that on-line and video conferencing was overly ambitious and was set aside. We did hold workshops that were well-attended. We contracted with our project facilitator assistant to also serve as the multimedia producer. This was an effective choice, as he was already very aware of what we were trying to promote and familiar with the equipment that was purchased for the project.
Benchmark 3: By the end of the ninth month contracted services for multimedia secured. Marketing plan will be in place. Multimedia upgrades and equipment will be ordered, purchased and installed. HomePages will be mounted.
Eleven (11) new department websites were added to the two (2) already existing bringing the total to thirteen (13). Five (5) of these sites were being upgraded and expanded by the end of the project. Seven (7) had not been modified. One (1) was never developed. An umbrella structure was in place including a directory and standard look and feel to the pages. Tutorials and all training and support materials were available on-line. All equipment and upgrades were in place.
Benchmark 4: By the end of the twelfth month "road show" presentations, brochures and press releases will be produced. Six new web sites will be operational. Six presentations will have been made in the community.
We presented two road shows; one to Lapeer Board of Commissioners and one to Lapeer County Planning Conference. We decided against the production of a brochure. We were concerned that it would not bring about the desired exposure in the community.
Describe any project promotion activities that were especially effective.
We decided to do instead was to create book makers, note pads and permanent signs with the Lapeer County Government On-Line logo and URL. We have received very positive feedback on this promotion strategy.
Our road show was equally effective with the targeted local officials. It increased awareness of our project, reinforced the image of the library as an information provider, and encouraged more departments to become involved in the project.
Do you have publicity materials? Please send copies with your final narrative report.
We are interested in your opinion on future used of federal funds in Michigan. What additional areas of community or patron needs could be addressed?
| Abstract | Needs Assessment | Goals and Objectives | Objective Details | Budget Summary | Timeline |
| Promotion | Evaluation | Final Narrative Report | Expenditures | Tutorials | Project Participation Matrix |
Lapeer County Library / Lapeer County Government On-Line
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