We will be migrating over to GMAIL for our library email. The “GO-LIVE” date is December 18th.
We will still have @avonlake.lib.oh.us email addresses. Anyone in the outside world will not know the difference. There are quite a few differences that you will notice, though.
GMAIL is all online. You will go to mail.google.com/a/avonlake.lib.oh.us to access it.
There are no longer folders in GMAIL. You will instead have Labels (Google’s way of tagging messages)
There is built-in Instant Messenger capabilities. You can chat with your co-workers if you wish.
Instead of deleting messages, you will ARCHIVE them. This will get them out fo yoru immediate view, but allow them to be searched for whenever you need.
If you search for “Jamie”, you will get any messages that were sent to Jamie, received from Jamie, and mentioned Jamie in them.
WHY ARE WE MIGRATING TO GMAIL?
It’s FREE!
We will save even more money in the long run by not having to pay for support for SPAM and Anti-virus for messaging.
The server that was purchased to upgrade Exchange and Outlook will be used to host multiple servers. The IT budget has been cut to $30,000 for 2009. That is >50% of previous years budgets. As servers need to be replaced next year, they can be combined onto this one powerful server.
Energy costs will be cut, by using one PHYSICAL server to host multiple VIRUAL servers.
Several other libraries including Holmes County and Delaware County District Library are already using this solution.
I received confirmation from MT today that the Adult/YA department will be getting an HP 3005x printer (same as YA and Circ) in place of the current Ricoh 610. It should arrive in about a week or so. They have to order it.
I have installed a new Wireless Keyboard and Mouse set in the podium in the gallery. This should make it easier for users to put the keyboard/mouse on the top of the podium and view the screen. There will also be one for the Friends Room.
Lately we are receiving many undeliverable email messages.
The state made some changes to our DNS. These changes seem to be confusing other email messaging servers on the Internet. The servers are thinking that we aren’t who we say we are (thus, marking us as possible SPAM). Please bear with me, as I work with the State to get this solved.
