A recent article in Wired Magazine^[1] described the work of BettVR With Age, which created a series of cinematic virtual reality experiences intended to be used with seniors experiencing impairment to mobility and/or cognition. These films were largely focused on entertainment: museums, concerts, and travel. Loaded onto an Android phone and then placed in a Gear VR, a homebound tester was able to visit a nightclub on the Upper East Side and enjoy a musical performance he could otherwise only dream about.^[2] For some time, music has shown to benefit a person’s memory. According to Music & Memory, Inc:

“Even for persons with severe dementia, music can tap deep emotional recall. Favorite music or songs associated with important personal events can trigger memory of lyrics and the experience connected to the music. Beloved music often calms chaotic brain activity and enables the listener to focus on the present moment and regain a connection to others.”^[3]

As virtual reality can provide an extremely immersive experience, it is increasingly being viewed as a tool to combat declining memory. While the study of VR technology’s effect on brain chemistry is still young, signs are encouraging.^[4] Beyond this application, this technology has the ability to virtually transport a homebound patron to another place they may no longer be able to visit! Rather than simply deliver materials to these patrons, we can grant them a digital avenue to experience the world! So where do libraries come in?

Providing the Hardware:

Virtual reality hardware comes in many forms. There are VR headsets that can piggyback onto a smartphone such as the Samsung Gear for Android, as well as many other options that are iPhone compatible. These could be made available for short or long-term loan. This is a very inexpensive solution, however, there are drawbacks. For starters, the recipient or their caregiver would need to provide their own smartphone. Additionally, VR experiences would need to be downloaded, and in the case of paid content, purchased by the borrower.

More robust solutions including the Occulus Rift and the HTC Vive (as well as an appropriately spec’d computer) can provide the most immersive experience available–at a cost of well over $2,000. Apps can be managed by a library using a cloud-based Steam account. The size and complexity of such systems seem best suited to providing outreach to senior communities, assisted living facilities, and other areas with centralized aged populations. There, libraries can arrange sessions by appointment and have staff available to oversee it all. Another option would be to train a facilities employees and provide equipment on long-term loan.

Curating Content:

In a Music & Memory program, the library creates a playlist tailored to the recipient. In a virtual reality setting, we instead need to tailor experiences. Past vacation destinations and favorite public facilities like museums and art galleries are all widely accessible as a virtual reality experience. More often than not, these are also free. For patrons with impaired mobility, Google Earth VR is an incredibly versatile app that can take a person to nearly any destination from the comfort of their home! Whether using the aforementioned Steam account to oversee a library of content or providing a new form of VR advisory for patrons downloading their own apps, the library can and should stand ready to assist.

Too often, we fall into the trap of tying youth to technology. As our libraries continue to explore the possibilities of virtual reality, and emerging technologies more broadly, let us ensure that we do not forget our senior citizens!

References

^[1]Pilon, Mary. “For Senior Citizens, the Future of VR Lies in the Past.” Wired. June 02, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2017. https://www.wired.com/2017/04/vr-for-seniors/.

^[2] Ibid

^[3] “Brain-Music Connection.” Music and Memory. Accessed July 11, 2017. https://musicandmemory.org/about/brain-music-connection/.

^[4] Wolpert, Stuart. “Brain’s reaction to virtual reality should prompt further study, suggests new research by UCLA neuroscientists.” UCLA Newsroom. November 24, 2014. Accessed July 11, 2017. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/brains-reaction-to-virtual-reality-should-prompt-further-study-suggests-new-research-by-ucla-neuroscientists.

The post Bringing Virtual Reality to Our Senior Patrons first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

As someone who used to work at YOUmedia at the flagship CPL location,Harold Washington, I saw first-hand what a positive impact this space has for teens. Not only does it provide a safe space for teens to hang out, mess around, and geek out, it also provides a productive environment that can help develop personal interests into lifelong careers. Just ask Chance the Rapper, who regularly talks about the impact YOUmedia had for him; it provided him the ability to hone his craft (with music) in the recording studio and the open mics dedicated solely to the teens that use the space. That’s part of what makes this program so special, and why so many other libraries and institutions have followed suit.

Not only does it include the public library itself, but it’s a platform that is perfect to network and connect with other institutions in the community, all for the benefit of the teens that use the space. The mentors at YOUmedia come from places like Hive Chicago and the Digital Media and Learning Hub. It makes for a much richer experience for everyone involved. There are other YOUmedia spaces all over the country now, and other public libraries are modelling their own spaces off the ideas that have come to fruition at YOUmedia. Places like the Evanston Public Library, for example. The Loft at Evanston Public Library is also a dedicated teen space that uses the Connected Learning model. It has partnered with local institutions like Youth and Opportunity United, Northwestern University, and a slew of others. At this point, it’s not a question of whether or not a dedicated teen space should be created in a public library, it’s a necessity. There does seem to be some resistance to this idea because libraries never had spaces like this before, but given the popularity and growth at YOUmedia, it is obvious that there is a need for it now. We want to help these almost grownups; we want them to develop a love of lifelong learning, and we can provide them with those means.

 References

Link to source article: (1)

http://www.infodocket.com/2017/04/08/chicago-public-librarys-youmedia-program-receives-more-than-1-million-in-new-public-and-private-investments-more-labs-planned/

Additional Sources used: (2) http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/future/trends/connectedlearning

https://hivechicago.org/about/

http://youthopportunity.org/index.php/about-us.html

https://www.epl.org/venue/the-loft/

https://www.chipublib.org/programs-and-partnerships/youmedia/

https://dmlcentral.net/

The post Chicago Public Library’s YOUmedia Program Expanding first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Part of my work as the digital inclusion fellow for the Nashville Public Library is to create awareness initiatives to encourage adults to learn how to become digital citizens. Work within the fellowship includes collaborating with other areas such as adult literacy, children’s, and teen services for digital inclusion programming. Studio NPL, the library’s innovative teen technology program, hosts workshops every day, ranging from music production, photography, and design to e-textiles and robotics. Brainstorming with Studio NPL, the idea of a teen-only Digital Inclusion PSA competition whose purpose was to encourage adults to learn how to get online was a concept in which everyone involved was excited about. We all saw its potential for the community.

The Challenge

We wanted to hold a successful teen competition that targeted an adult audience. There were many questions surrounding this initiative: Will teens care about this topic? Will they be motivated to compete? How will we spread the word? The answer reached across multiple systems and partnerships. Studio NPL already had a great relationship with teens in Nashville/Davidson County and had spaces at multiple library locations. We collaborated to develop contest rules, incentives, and ways to do outreach.

• The Digital Inclusion Fellowship supplied the prizes (laptops, tablets, and headphones).
• Contest information scrolled across the library’s homepage online.
• Studio NPL hosted workshops across the system for teens and mentored them on how to create PSAs.
• School libraries were contacted via the Limitless Libraries partnership between the Library and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

To our amazement and delight, the teens got on board and started creating video and storyboard submissions. It seemed that they really did care about getting their parents, grandparents, and other adults online. They brainstormed at workshops held at the library and at outreach locations like juvenile detention centers. They came up with ideas that would make learning to get online relevant to those who didn’t know why they should. They created storyboards, videos, and rap lyrics. They asked for assistance from Studio NPL mentors, teachers, librarians, and volunteers. Some stayed late to complete their work.

The Winners

At the end of the contest, we had a first-, second- and third- place winner. The library held a party—with cake!—where the submissions were screened and families got to see their teens receive recognition and prizes (which included a MacBook Air, iPads, and Beats Earbuds). The party was live tweeted and continued to generate excitement. The winning video was posted on the library’s Facebook page, where it has generated over two thousand views so far.

Leah Faulkner, a Hume-Fogg High School junior, won first place for her PSA. Though this was her first video project, the aspiring filmmaker successfully developed the concept for the video, filmed her entry with an actress family friend, and volunteers from the band Lonestar even wrote and produced the soundtrack behind the PSA.

In the end, a community came together across generations and communities to build this project. The contest evolved from a digital inclusion project to a community of inclusion as so many worked together to ensure its success. It’s very gratifying to recognize the people helped along the way: the adults who will see the PSA and understand they can go to the library for online resources, the teens who learned about video production, and the community and library staff members who collaborated together—many for the first time. We can say that this is the PSA that keeps on giving—on so many levels. We hope that others will be inspired by Leah’s work and that it will continue to change lives.

The post Get ‘Em Online! Nashville Public Library’s Digital Inclusion PSA first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Although studying memes doesn’t seem to be part of a public librarian’s job at first glance, no matter how fun it may be, Brennan points out that even a basic level of familiarity with them can aid a librarian in assisting patrons, understanding the community, and even planning and promoting programming. For librarians first wishing to familiarize themselves with Internet culture, she suggests choosing a few topics of interest and browsing social media, blogs, and websites to see what people are saying about them. “See the flow of conversation and how people are participating,” she says. “Every community has their own quirks and internal memes, and once you find the niche you click with, you can start to translate that to other Internet communities.”[2]

By familiarizing yourself with a few topics and the various online platforms through which people talk about them, you might even get some ideas for new services or programs at your library. Furthermore, seeing various social networks in action will likely give you some ideas about how to communicate with your patrons this way and market your existing offerings. For librarians looking to learn more about memes in general, Brennan suggests Know Your Meme and Meme Documentation as great online resources and Memes in Digital Culture, It’s Complicated, and Life on the Screen as print sources.

Interested in a career similar to Brennan’s? She urges library school students to seek out positions or internships in technology and social media. These don’t have to be housed in libraries, as many LIS skills can be applied to these industries as well. Special libraries are also a great start; while a student at Rutgers, Brennan interned in MTV’s tape library. Many of these positions can be found through INALJ. She also suggests that students “take classes that don’t sound like typical librarianship,” naming database design and MySQL as two important tools she learned in library school.[3]

One thing’s for certain: with the growth of tech jobs similar to Brennan’s, the library world is changing more than ever. It’s no longer farfetched to see a patron visit his or her local reference desk with a question about a meme or other Internet phenomena, and there is a growing need to make sense of the array of content available through social media. Add an understanding of Internet culture to the ever-growing list of skills in the public librarian’s toolkit.

Resources

Know Your Meme

Meme Documentation

Limor Shifman, Memes in Digital Culture (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2013).

danah boyd, It’s Complicated (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2014).

Sherry Turkle, Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995).

INALJ

References

[1] Julia Carpenter, “Meme Librarian Is a Real Job — and It’s the Best One on the Internet,” Washington Post, December 21, 2015.

[2] Amanda Brennan, meme librarian, in an interview with the author, January 12, 2016.

[3] Ibid.

The post Lessons From a Meme Librarian first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The first three spaces all deal with groups of different sizes. Being able to work with a group is important for projects, whether you’re working on a class assignment, a new marketing strategy, or other discussions. Rendina suggests having several different ways of sharing information, like dry erase boards and technology sharing options.[2] Working in a library, I’ve seen the use of these tools prove to be highly useful for collaboration. The importance of flexible furnishing is also stressed. Larger spaces also make it possible to hold functions and special events for big groups. Even if you don’t have a large meeting room, if you have easily movable furnishings, you can make this kind of event possible in another area of your library.[3]

Technology isn’t really optional anymore. Too many parts of life depend on Internet access for libraries not to be providing technology to patrons in one way or another. In a 2013 Pew Internet study, 77 percent of survey respondents reported technology access as an important library service.[4] As Rendina points out, many tech options can be offered from desktops, laptops, and tablets to specialty software that allows for creation and learning. As more technology is readily available, libraries need to continue to evolve and provide access to things patrons may not be able to access as easily, like specialty software and hardware.[5]

The fifth area that Rendina cites is a quiet place.[6] Often when I’m working on the public service desk, I’ll be asked where a quiet place can be found. Many people need a more silent environment to focus on their work, and when you have several places that focus on group meetings, you need to also try to provide for the person working on his/her own. The Pew Internet Study found that quiet spaces were important to respondents even while some libraries have become a bit more boisterous over time.[7]

Finally, makerspaces are recommended as an important active learning space.[8] I work in a department that has two rooms specifically for making. They provide fantastic opportunities for using fabrication machinery and attending hands-on learning activities; however, makerspaces don’t have to be a permanent structure. Any meeting room or open area can become a makerspace for a few hours. Activities can be just about anything—coding to coloring to sewing to 3D printing. Makerspaces can provide something for any interest.

The beauty of the library is that it can be many things to many people. Providing a variety of spaces to your patrons will help you meet their needs and have many happy returns.

References:

[1] “Active Learning,” Center for Research on Learning and Teaching.

[2] Diana Rendina, “6 Active Learning Spaces Your Library Should Have,” Knowledge Quest Blog, January 27, 2016.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Kathryn Zickuhr, Lee Rainie and Kristen Purcell, “Library Services in the Digital Age,” Pew Internet and American Life Project, January 22, 2013.

[5] Diana Rendina, “6 Active Learning Spaces Your Library Should Have,” Knowledge Quest Blog, January 27, 2016.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Kathryn Zickuhr, “Should libraries shush? ” Pew Internet and American Life Project, February 6, 2013.

[8] Diana Rendina, “6 Active Learning Spaces Your Library Should Have,” Knowledge Quest Blog, January 27, 2016.

The post Provide a Variety of Library Spaces first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

But what, if any, is the future of virtual reality (VR) in the library? What kind of role does this technology play? Libraries have become much more community centers centered around education and experience as much as they are books. Patrons visit for free Wi-Fi and computer access, 3D printing labs, and other programs not directly related to the hundreds of volumes housed in the stacks.

Many patrons already check out books virtually and don’t visit the actual physical library too often, if at all. Are virtual reality labs, tours, and workshops the next step for libraries? The answer is a solid maybe as the technology develops and makes its way out of gaming and movies and into education and everyday experiences.

Facebook’s $2 billion purchase of Oculus tells us two things: first, VR is going to be a thing. It is here to stay. Second, it tells us that the social media of the future will be more than just a web page: it will be a world of its own. Status updates, news stories—all will be experienced rather than just read. Beyond social media, there are many more practical uses of Virtual Reality.

Virtual Travel and Experience Teaching children and adults about other places becomes easier if they can experience them firsthand. Flying over New York City and having the ability to look around while in the air is something few people can do in reality, but virtual reality can make such experiences accessible to many. Visiting museums and national landmarks, once such material is available, becomes quite simple. And since visiting the worlds created by popular authors is not possible, the learner can explore a place outside of our reality.

Virtual Gaming and New Skills Gamification in the classroom, at work, and elsewhere is already catching on. Combining such efforts with virtual reality not only will engage learners of all ages but can also be used to teach them new skills in an authentic context. This tends to motivate the students to replicate what they have done virtually in “the real world.”

Virtual Reality Levels the Playing Field No longer are height, weight, gender, or race a factor in acceptance in the virtual reality world, whether in gaming or any other virtual experience. If even for a little while, the absence of stigmas and even disabilities from virtual worlds is an important factor in child development.

How might some library programs use virtual reality? There are several exciting possibilities:

Storytelling One of the prime objectives of libraries still is to share and tell stories. With apps like vrse, inspiring readers to explore stories is a whole new way is made easy.

NASA Education Want to inspire your visitors to learn more about space and space exploration? NASA brings apps to Oculus that let users experience what it’s like to ride in many of its spacecraft. Using the same technology and adding an Xbox One Kinect, users can control a robot arm using their bodies.

Driver Safety Programs Want to offer something unique in your community? Toyota has also released a virtual reality driving simulator to instruct teens about the dangers of distracted driving. The simulation allows users to have the feel of driving, and attempts to distract them with simulated text messages and virtual friends in the back seat.

Field Trips Recently, Google released a beta version of Google Exhibitions Pioneer Program, What has been up to now a limited program where schools signed up, and then waited for a visit from the Google team is now available on Android. There is a little waiting involved, but you can sign up to be a beta tester here, and the process is faster than it once was.

But what does this cost the average library? Well, there are a couple affordable options that won’t break the bank. While the Oculus Rift, which provides an intense VR experience, is out of the range of most organizations and requires a fairly powerful PC to run, there are simpler, consumer-oriented systems that cost much less.

Samsung Gear VR Samsung offers a relatively affordable virtual reality system powered by your phone. The advantage it has over many others is that it was developed with Oculus, and uses apps available exclusively to that operating system. The clear disadvantage is that it works only with certain Samsung phones, at least so far.

Another option, the Zeis VR One, has trays compatible with iPhone or Samsung Devices. It is likely that, similar to other devices, templates will be created for other devices that can be 3D printed by the consumer—another opportunity for libraries with this type of lab to get patrons through the door.

Google Cardboard By far the simplest and most varied of devices; there are several variations of Google Cardboard on the market, and several templates available online that can be 3D printed. Working with the Google platform has other advantages as well. The company is already working with educators and libraries with apps and games designed for specifically for education, with some specifically for library use not far behind.

There are also templates for making your own Google Cardboard from, well, cardboard. The instructions are relatively simple and make a great craft project. As more apps and games are developed, there will be more and more uses of VR in libraries, and affordable options to implement programs.

A note on Augmented reality: While virtual stacks and tours of libraries are cool, Augmented or Altered reality may have more impact on libraries than simple Virtual reality. Using a camera in conjunction with the software, reality as the user sees it is altered in some way, while they can still move around freely. A user could use a virtual card catalog or indexed search, and a colored line could lead them through the stacks to their selection.

Sound like science fiction? Well, it all does, to a certain extent. However, rapid advances are making what once seemed far-fetched a reality. Like many things, libraries will have to adapt again to a new digital format. What role virtual and augmented reality will play in the library, if any, is still uncertain.

References:

¹ Jeff Peachey. “Virtual Reality in the Library,” jeff peachey [blog], January 19, 2016.

The post Virtual Reality in the Library: Creating a New Experience first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

According to Merriam-Webster, artificial intelligence is “an area of computer science that deals with giving machines the ability to seem like they have human intelligence.”[1] In short, the goal of AI is to make technology smart.

Now AI is increasingly slipping into everyday life for the general public, not just movie and novel plots.[2] Siri is perhaps the most famous AI application, but there are many more. IBM’s Watson and Amazon’s Echo are just two examples. In ways that we don’t always notice, AI passively helps us in our daily lives. Many finance companies use neural networks to identify fraudulent activity.[3] These examples learn from the user to improve responses. For example, Siri learns from the users’ individual speech pattern. Through use, the devices return more individualized results. Credit card companies learn normal behavior patterns for customers and identify questionable transactions that deviate from the individual’s pattern.

With many AI applications focused on delivering information to the user, on face, it can appear that AI is a challenge to libraries. In some ways it is. If Siri can tell me the tallest building in the world, I don’t need to visit my local library. Google Maps can quickly re-route me when I’m in an unfamiliar city and encounter construction. In this circumstance I don’t need to consult a print map or atlas.

What AI gives libraries is the opportunity to shift focus. The way we navigate the information architecture is changing. AI gives us useful shortcuts to apply this knowledge and produce better outcomes. Libraries focus on access to content and application of knowledge. We already see evidence of this shift toward application with many libraries developing MakerSpace capabilities. These organizations are positioning themselves to take advantage of technological tools by fostering their use.

Additionally, what is lacking is the human connection. Inherent in AI’s name is that the intelligence is artificial, not human. Libraries can connect people to information and, more importantly, to other people. A book group connects patrons with a similar interest. Hobby groups act similarly. We see these connections being made daily in public libraries.

Overall, the value proposition for public libraries is shifting. Access to collections remains important, but how that access is achieved is changing. Libraries can capitalize on the value of AI to expedite some processes, freeing up finite resources to focus on enriching the public library experience for patrons.

Sources:

1 “Artificial Intelligence,” Merriam-Webster, accessed January 15, 2016.

2 Mike Elgan, “When Artificial Intelligence is Everywhere, All the Time,” Computerworld (2015). Accessed January 15, 2016, .

3 Raghavendra Patidar and Lokesh Sharma, “Credit Card Fraud Detection using Neural Network,” International Journal of Soft Computing and Engineering 1, no. ncaI2011 (2011): 32.

The post Libraries in an Artificially Intelligent World first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The chaos of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), with its walls of giant flat screen TVs and rush of business suits, might seem like an odd place for library staff to be. But as Jason Griffey has shown in his previous years’ CES coverage for American Libraries and on his blog, librarians and staff should, at the very least, be paying attention to the news coming out of the show. Not only is CES a useful tool for your library’s own technology planning, but it can also help inform staff training. After all, those shiny new tablets and smartphones might be making their way to your reference desk in a few months.

Making Way for New, Faster, and Touchable Technology

While it’s hard to predict exactly which products and models will debut at CES, you can get a sense of what types of gadgets we’ll see by looking at the show’s schedule and show floor. For example, this year CES will have Wearables Marketplace showcasing fitness trackers, tech-enhanced jewelry and augmented reality devices. With wearables becoming more in-demand, could we have a wearable loaner program someday? Or what about drones, cameras that shoot 4K video (more on that below), or a new fleet of mobile devices for loan? CES is a great way to gauge what emerging technology is coming down the pipeline and headed to stores in your community.

It is also a useful event to plan out and support your library’s existing technology. Library Journal points out some trends seen at CES and a few questions library staff should consider. For example, is your library website responsive to more touchscreen and hybrid computers surely headed to market? Should your library plan out some programming around emerging technologies, such as drones and virtual reality consoles? Additionally, last year’s CES was a big year for 3D printers, with more models available at affordable price points. If your library is considering investing in one, you might pay close attention to what’s announced at the show.

Finally, devices, mostly TVs, that support 4K video resolution made a big splash at last year’s show. 4K resolution essentially means more pixels – about four times more than a 1080p television can display (read more about 4K resolution at Tech Radar). This year, we’ll likely see more TVs, cameras/camcorders that can capture 4K resolution video, and 4K content (both streaming and Blu-ray discs). Can your library’s streaming media be played on large UltraHD/4K TVs? Can your library’s broadband support streaming 4K video?  While it might not be in high demand yet, 4K products and services should certainly be on your radar.

Supporting Staff and Patrons with New Devices

CES isn’t a huge show for mobile devices as many manufacturers wait until Mobile World Congress in February to showcase their new smartphones and tablets or announce them independently (such as Apple). But there will surely be some new smartphones and tablets with new features, different interfaces, and varying screen sizes. One potential pain point with Android devices in particular is that manufacturers will put their own overlays or interfaces on the operating system. So you think you might know the ins-and-outs of your own Android phone, but the one that shows up at your reference desk looks totally different. If you do device and tech training for your staff, you’ll want to pay attention to both CES and Mobile World Congress news and the specs for the new devices. Depending on what’s released, you may need to update any trainings or documents you provide to your staff.

Even if your library isn’t ready to embrace some of these new technologies, staying on top of the greater consumer technology world is an important – and fun – task. The Verge, Tech Radar, and CNET all have stellar coverage so make sure to visit those sites starting January 4 – 9, 2016.

The post CES 2016 Is Your Library’s Technology Crystal Ball first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The tech center, since officially opening on November 7, 2015, has seen over 15,000 visitors, with over 800 people attending programs and events. On the Do Space’s blog, the Executive Director, Rebecca Stavick, writes that she hopes that the space will inspire Omahans to feel “empowered to lead the nation in innovation.” It’s actually a part of their Vision Statement: “Do Space, as the heart of a community technology movement, inspires Omaha to lead the nation in innovation.” Appropriately, Rebecca Stavick previously worked for five years as a Staff Development Specialist at OPL and in her free time on Open Nebraska, an organization she cofounded that focuses on technology education and emphasizes open access; it will also be partnering with the tech center in the future.  It seems like Do Space is a perfect marriage of Stavick’s two previous roles, and she is the perfect liaison to bring both the OPL and Open Nebraska on board as community partners.

John B. Horrigan, in Libraries at a Crossroads, points out that there are “some 30% of those ages 16 and over [that] think libraries should “definitely” move some print books and stacks out of public locations to free up more space for such things as tech centers, reading rooms, meeting rooms and cultural events; 40% say libraries should “maybe” do that; and 25% say libraries should “definitely not” do that.” So how can other libraries develop either an affiliation with a center like this or create one within their own space if possible? The important elements for public libraries to take note of in Do Space are the community partnerships that lead to the space developing and going from just an idea to fruition. YOUmedia and the Maker Lab at Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago, for example, are both grant-funded and offer technology programs as well as equipment to mess around with. They partnered with groups like the Digital Youth Network  and the MacArthur Foundation as well as Motorola and the City of Chicago in order to develop spaces for teens and adults to tinker, learn, and grow in, and it’s free to use just like Do Space. Public libraries need to continue to work towards empowering their patrons to develop their information and digital literacy skills, and sometimes reaching out to the community at large can make something really special happen!

Sources:

Horrigan, John B. “Libraries at the Crossroads.” Report by the Pew Research Center, 15 September 2015. Web. http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/09/15/libraries-at-the-crossroads/. Accessed 7 January 2016.

Kelly, Bill. “Will A Nebraska Community Tech Center Force Us To Consider Libraries Without Books?” NET, November 30, 2015. Web. http://netnebraska.org/article/news/1001826/will-nebraska-community-tech-center-force-us-consider-libraries-without-books. Accessed 7 January 2016.

Peet, Lisa. “Rebecca Stavick, Omaha’s First Digital Librarian.” Library Journal, April 27, 2015. Web. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/04/people/rebecca-stavick-omahas-first-digital-librarian/. Accessed 7 January 2016.

Resources:

http://www.dospace.org/space

http://omahalibrary.org/

http://www.chipublib.org/maker-lab/

http://www.chipublib.org/youmedia/

http://digitalyouthnetwork.org/

https://www.macfound.org/

The post Tech Centers Are Coming to a Library Near You! first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Why Tell Your Story Online?

Many libraries are restricted by city or county rules on employee advocacy. When funding or programs are at risk of getting cut, staff have to get creative in promoting the value of the library in the community. Digital advocacy is a great method of not only visualizing that value, but also disseminating it to your community through social networks, email newsletters, and your website.

The Rockefeller Foundation published a report in 2014 called Digital Storytelling for Social Impact, which offers insights and ideas from interviews with thought leaders in entertainment, brand strategy, and philanthropy. One of the key quotes from the report reinforces the importance of digital storytelling or advocacy for community-centric organizations, such as public libraries:

“Stories can embody values; they can show how an organization is living its life by giving tangible examples. Putting faces and names to [an organization’s] values goes much further to promoting high-level concepts that aren’t as tangible.” [1]

So where to begin? One place to start is by interviewing community members or staff members about what they like about the library and what they do while they’re there. You could also frame your story around library usage data or a timeline of a project, such as a summer reading program or an event of which you’re particularly proud. Also remember that digital advocacy comes in many forms, from blogs to videos to digital slideshows.

A Few Examples of Digital Advocacy in Action

TechSoup has an annual digital storytelling contest called Storymakers, but we’re always supporting nonprofits and public libraries in telling their stories online through educational webinars, product donations, and informative content. I thought I’d highlight some of my favorite examples of digital advocacy that we’ve seen over the years.

The Norton Public Library won the prize for Best Library Video in the 2012 Storymakers contest with its video, 12 Things to Do in a Library. Teen patrons created the video to promote the library’s collection of pop-up books. This project not only gave the teens a chance to show off their video skills, but it also created a new generation of library advocates.

The Oakland Public Library (OPL) is also engaging its community to tell the library’s stories. Sharon McKellar, the community relations librarian, talked about the importance of sharing everything you do on a TechSoup for Libraries digital storytelling webinar. Much of the library’s sharing is done on the OPL’s network of blogs, where library staff and partners write about events, share new additions to collections, and answer community questions. Sharon also does a fantastic ongoing series on strange ephemera found in the Oakland Public Library’s books, which has gotten the attention of local media as well as Library Journal.

Digital advocacy doesn’t end after the creation and production of your story. The M.N. Spear Memorial Library in Shutesbury, MA got a construction grant from the Massachusetts Boardof Library Commissioners, but it needed a local match to actually receive it. The library had to privately raise funds in five months, so library staff members produced a video called Where Would You Be Without Your Library?

The staff reached out to the Massachusetts Library Association to promote the video and somebody from the association got Cory Doctorow of BoingBoing interested. After he shared it, the campaign went viral with promotions from John Hodgman, Wil Wheaton, Neil Gaiman, and other library-loving celebrities. But the video’s success wasn’t sheer luck: the library strategically reached out to cause-driven websites and newsletters, as well as library and book-related blogs, and told them about the campaign.

At the 2016 Public Library Association conference, Crystal Schimpf of Kixal and I will be presenting on behalf of TechSoup for Libraries about the ways that digital stories can be used for advocacy efforts, from raising awareness to political action. We’ll be sharing tips and ideas on how to create a compelling story for your library, and how to leverage it to show your impact in the community. Be sure to drop by Lights, Camera, Advocacy: Digital Storytelling for Your Library session at PLA 2016.

References
1. The Rockefeller Foundation, May 06, 2014, “Digital Storytelling for Social Impact.” p. 8. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/blog/digital-storytelling-social-impact/. Accessed October 26, 2015.

The post Share Your Library’s Impact with Digital Advocacy first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

One of the great aspects to this program is that not only are they reaching out to young girls, but they are also inspiring the girls’ mothers, providing an opportunity for both generations to learn in a fun environment. This ten-part workshop series provided opportunities to learn about circuits, engineering, architecture, art, and more. Many of the classes had the participants considering ways to better their worlds, like the first program where attendees considered how to make human experiences better in public spaces, or the workshop where they worked on posters highlighting shelter animals up for adoption.[1] Looking at the pictures in the Make-HER blog shows a glimpse of the fun had by attendees while learning.

Leading the instruction was a group of ladies who all have myriad experiences that enabled them to teach various skills to the attendees. Looking at their bios, one of the impressive things about the instructors was that they all had different backgrounds; some of them had studied their field of expertise, while others were self-taught.[2] What a great way to showcase the wide variety of ways you can learn and be excited about a topic!

While writing this post, I was thinking quite a bit about why a program like this is important. Providing an opportunity for girls and their mothers to work and learn together is a huge benefit. However, knowing what I’ve heard about girls and women studying and working in careers in STEM fields, I decided to see what kinds of articles I might find on the topic. Several pieces came up regarding girls and the maker movement, many of which focused on using making as a way to get girls interested in STEM studies.

One article that provided some insight came from Kristin Houser for iQ by Intel. The article mainly discussed findings from a report called, MakeHers: Engaging Girls and Women in Technology Through Making, Creating, and Inventing. This report says that the maker movement “could help bridge the gender gap in STEM fields.”[3] By hosting programs for girls, Sunnyvale is contributing to closing this gap. Houser also had information from Forbes stating that girls don’t often have female mentors or role models in the STEM world.[4] By having all female instructors for the Make-HER program, Sunnyvale Public Library has provided the participating girls with women they can look up to as examples.

Not only did Sunnyvale hold all these programs, but they put much of the information on their website. Check out the activities at home (or maybe in your library, too). A listing of some of the major materials used for the various projects is also included. I know looking at the different projects definitely got ideas flowing for me!

[1] “Blog.” Make-HER. 2015. https://sunnyvalemakeher.wordpress.com/blog/ (accessed August 19, 2015).

[2] “#LadyMakers.” Make-HER. 2015. https://sunnyvalemakeher.wordpress.com/ladymakers/ (accessed August 19,      2015).

[3] Houser, Kristin. “Girls in Technology: Maker Movement is a Natural Entry Point.” iQ. January 16, 2015.

http://iq.intel.com/report-shows-maker-movement-natural-entry-girls-women-technology/ (accessed August 20, 2015).

[4] Ibid.

The post Make-HER at Sunnyvale Public Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

While Napoli was certainly an innovative thinker in terms of collection management, he was a trailblazer when it came to technology. It is because of Napoli’s leadership that SJCPL was the first public library in the United States and the second in the world to have a web page.

1996 SJCPL Homepage

Therefore, it is no surprise that when asked about the future of libraries, Napoli sees technology continuing to play a major role in how libraries serve their communities. He states that while technology is changing too rapidly for him to try and predict very far into the future, “I would guess that the digital age and the wearable computer, all­ in­ one, personal device for communicating with everyone everywhere at anytime will accelerate unabated.” While he recognizes the importance of embracing new technologies, he believes that equally as important is a knowledgeable staff who can guide patrons through the rapidly changing online environment.

Napoli is rather excited when he speaks of the role technology will play in public libraries in the future. Perhaps because he has already seen firsthand how libraries have learned to adapt when facing an uncertain future. This is apparent in the chapter he wrote for The Evolving Virtual Library II: Practical and Philosophical Perspectives, published in 1999, in which he posed the question. “What does the future hold when the most creative minds in the world can talk to each other, instantly and constantly, at any time and can share their thoughts with the rest of the world? No one can tell. Everything will certainly move even faster as this creativity feeds on itself.”

Donald Napoli in 1978

As Mr. Napoli reflects on his many years of experience working in public libraries, he advises those facing new ideas to “be very excited about it yourself and you will spread that excitement to those around you. Immerse yourself in the excitement of the new initiatives. Let them become your energy!” Although he is optimistic about the future of libraries he knows that there will still be challenges ahead. When asked what advice he would give to someone considering a career working in libraries his advice is encouraging, yet realistic. “Go for it! Embrace the pain!”

It is because of constant evolution of thoughts and ideas that he has conditioned his staff to not be afraid of change. It is this ability to adapt that allowed Napoli to retire with a happy heart, knowing that SJCPL will continue to thrive despite his absence. It also helps that he has turned the reins over to long­time assistant director, Debra Futa, who he is quick share credit with for many of SJCPL’s successful initiatives. “She knows what she is doing, is very excited about the future, as uncertain as it is, and is ready to lead the way. This is the day I’ve been waiting for and it is a pure joy to see her excitement. She already is and will continue to be a great leader!”  Ed. note:  Look for an interview with Don Napoli in the July/August 2015 issue of “Public Libraries.”

The post Immerse Yourself in the Excitement of New Initiatives: Longtime Indiana Director Retires first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

As the application’s tagline suggests, capturing and sharing moments at the library is considerably easy but it requires some digging to uncover inspiring posts. Discovering the accounts of prominent public libraries such as the New York Public Library and your own local libraries can be simple enough. The accounts could be searched for by name using Instagram’s search function, but discovering new libraries and library related trends can be overwhelming.

Hashtags allow content on Instagram to become accessible to a wider audience. Instagram users can explore content that are publicly uploaded by searching the hashtags that the creators have coupled with their posts. Browsing results of the most popular tags can prove to be impractical and daunting. Exploring the popularly employed #librariesofinstagram, for example, yields thousands of images that are related to libraries; searching for #library yields million of hits. As of yet, the only way to browse results on Instagram is through infinite scrolling. Since the results are ordered from the most recent to the least recent, seeing all of the posts for a given hashtag depends on one’s willingness to continue scrolling.

Results that are more relevant to your interests are accessible by searching for specific hashtags. Here is a sampling of hashtags being used by libraries today:

• Examples of tags that encourage participation include #bookface and #bookfacefriday which showcases creative uses of book jackets. #libraryshelfie features library shelves with or without library staff members to accompany them. Newly created #libraryinmyhand promotes electronic resources and services offered by libraries.
• Librarians that are fashion conscious may be keen on viewing posts tagged with #librarianwardrobe or #librarianstyle to see what librarians are wearing.
• Teen librarians may be interested in posts that are tagged with #teenlibrary, #teenlibrarian, #makerspace, and #yalit.
• #childrenslibrarian, #storytime, #flannelboard, and #earlyliteracy are relevant to librarians working with children. Some libraries have also chosen to have Instagram accounts for teens such as Franklin Park Library Teens.
• Anyone seeking inspiration on promotional displays may be interested in those tagged with #librarydisplay.
• Examples of responses to reference questions appear upon searching for the cheeky tag #letmelibrarianthatforyou.
• Posts of programs at the library can be seen by searching #libraryprogram and #libraryevent. (Some nationwide programs have their own tags such as the early literacy program #1000booksbeforekindergarten.)

While hashtags offer a way of accessing Instagram posts from the perspective of the library, location tagging is unique in that it offers a way to re-discover the library as it is experienced by its visitors. Library users on Instagram are publicly uploading their own content and are tagging the library’s location. Regularly reviewing the content allows libraries to assess how visitors are using the library and uncover what patrons like and dislike about the library.

The post Libraries of Instagram first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

For five days in July, the library will be full of girls participating in STEAM projects under the supervision of library staff and 10 middle-school-age counselors-in-training.  Planned events for this summer’s program include a field trip to the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University and a day of learning about space, with a special Skype chat with a scientist from NASA.

Hands-on activities from last year’s weeklong event included Peeps chemistry, building circuits, creating marble runs, 3D printing, and launching rockets. The week also brought guest speakers from nearby colleges to talk about biology, chemistry, computer programming, psychology and law, and technology.

In February, the library held a one-day version of Geek Girl Camp with a Harry Potter House Cup theme. The girls were split into houses named after rad ladies in STEAM fields and they earned points for their houses by performing real life experiments based on Potions class, Quidditch, and the Hogwarts Express.

The camp is partially supported by resources already housed at the Fayetteville Free Library’s Fab Lab and by donated materials including a trebuchet. Funding for other resources and costs comes from the camp fee, which this year is $35 per camper. The library offers four scholarship opportunities for campers who cannot afford the fee.

Geek Girl Camp was created for the 2014 summer reading program at the Fayetteville Free Library to fill a need for STEAM opportunities for elementary-age girls in the area. The FFL’s established STEAM programming, including a Creation Club for middle schoolers and a Little Makers program for 5-8-year-olds, was attended primarily by boys. Since the inception of Geek Girl Camp, more girls have participated in these monthly programs, and the library’s Coding Club is almost evenly split.

“We asked girls on the first day of camp what they wanted to be when they grew up. The answers were a variety of ‘teacher, actress, singer,’ but on Friday we asked the same question and the answers changed to ‘working at Google, pilot, physicist, computer scientist,’ and more. One girl actually said when she grows up she wants to be ‘a computer programmer and an actress on the side,’” said Meredith Levine, Director of Family Engagement at the Fayetteville Free Library.

The camp has encouraged the library to introduce new programming as well, including a two-day Superhero Camp and one-day Self Defense camp this summer, along with other day-long STEAM programming on the local schools’ days off. The counselor-in-training program for this summer’s Geek Girl Camp is also new, providing girls in grades 6-12 an opportunity to gain leadership experience and enjoy the STEAM subjects.

For librarians interested in trying something similar, Levine recommends that they “relentlessly innovate, be brave, and take lots of risks.” The FFL found its resources and experts in the local community and organizations, utilizing services like LinkedIn and Meetup to find people interested in sharing their STEAM knowledge with elementary schoolers. The library also got its first counselors from library staff and teen volunteers who expressed interest in the program.

“It was amazing to watch FFL staff as a whole participate as the library turned into something wonderful for that week,” Levine said.

Sources:

Geek Girl Camp. Accessed May 6, 2015. http://fflib.org/just-for/kids/geek-girl-camp.

Levine, Meredith. “Fayetteville Free Library’s Geek Girl Camp: Creating a Community of Future STEM Leaders.” School Library Journal. Accessed May 6, 2015. http://www.slj.com/2015/01/programs/fayetteville-free-librarys-geek-girl-camp-creating-a-community-of-future-stem-leaders/.

Levine, Meredith. E-mail interview by author. May 11, 2015.

The post Geek Girls Camp at the Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

What Makes a Site “Mobile-Friendly”

So what exactly qualifies as “mobile-friendly?” If you’ve ever tried to navigate a site on your smartphone that isn’t optimized for mobile, you may have experienced the frustration of not being able to read text because it’s too small or accidentally clicking on the wrong link. These are two of the elements Google checks: text size and link distance.

The other element Google checks is your site’s mobile viewport configuration. A viewport determines how a webpage is displayed on a mobile device. Without a viewport, mobile devices will display your page at desktop width, scaled to fit the screen, making it a pain to navigate. A responsive, mobile-friendly website has different layouts for different screen sizes: from large tablets to smartphones with 4-inch displays.

How to Check the Mobile-Friendliness of Your Site

If you’re not sure where your website stands in mobile-friendliness, Google helpfully provides you with a few free tools:

• You can also test individual pages using Google’s Mobile-Friendly test, which analyzes your page’s URL and reports if it has a mobile-friendly design.
• Google’s Mobile Usability feature, part of the Webmaster toolset, can help you identify mobile usability issues with your site.
• Fetch as Google lets you see your web pages the way Google’s smartphone crawler would.
• Chrome’s Device Mode and Mobile Emulation tool lets you check your mobile website’s responsiveness across various screen sizes, and assess its performance across varying connection speeds.
• If you need further assistance or explanation, you can always ask questions (and find answers!) at Google’s Webmaster Central Help Forum.

How Your Content Management System Can Help

Many content management systems (CMSes), including library-specific CMSes, offer some sort of toolset or themes to help you take your site mobile. WordPress, for example, offers WPtouch, a plug-in that automatically enables a mobile theme for visitors reaching you by way of their phones. Drupal, an open source CMS, offers mobile-friendly themes for your website. Google has a helpful guide for optimizing your Drupal site for mobile. Sites built with LibGuides are responsive out of the box so you don’t have to do any of the work to ensure your site displays correctly on all devices.

Google’s ever-changing search and indexing algorithms can be frustrating to deal with. But this particular change should serve as a nudge to start thinking about a mobile strategy for your library’s website. As nearly two-thirds of American adults own a smartphone (Pew Research Center), it is becoming increasingly important to reach your patrons wirelessly. By beginning the mobile optimization process, you will not only stay ahead of the Google game, but you’ll also better serve your smartphone-carrying patrons.

The post What Google’s Algorithm Change Means for Library Websites first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The report begins with a look at The Public Library in the Digital Age and shows how public libraries are poised to play a leading role in helping communities and individuals adapt to our changing world. It names three key assets that the value proposition of the public library is built around: people, place, and platform. The people focus reflects the focus shift from building collections to building human capital and puts people at the center of the library’s mission to inspire and cultivate learning, advance knowledge, and nurture and strengthen communities. In this new environment, librarians will need to be able to anticipate community needs, manage and adapt to new technology, and use data to best advantage. An intelligent community is the goal, rather than large circulation numbers.[3] For the aspect of place, more of a focus is being put on the library as the “family room of a community,” as Akhtar Badshah stated.[4] You immediately get this sense of the library as a place to simply spend time when you walk into a children’s area and find kids playing together with library toys while their parents chat, or you come upon an afternoon of chess or video games. In addition, the report notes that in an increasingly virtual physical libraries are community assets. For the library to be a platform, it has to provide a place for participation and learning, a place where assets are available. Users may customize this platform and adapt its resources to their individual needs. [5] For example, we can provide chairs and tables for business meetings and programs, as well as classes that give an overview of the business resources available to entrepreneurs and programs that can help them connect to resources to develop their businesses.

Finally, four strategic opportunities for libraries are presented.[6]

1. Aligning library services in support of community goals.
2. Providing access to content in all formats.
3. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of public libraries.
4. Cultivating leadership.

To ensure success, libraries must provide services that support community needs and not just exist as the cool new thing. They need to offer access to content in all formats by working with creators, publishers, and government. They must work toward transforming standard operations to ensure library sustainability. To be able to accomplish any of these, libraries have to actively develop leaders who can go out and become an active part of their community, learning the needs from the people.

The report also spotlights lots of exciting ideas and examples of new ways public libraries are working to meet the needs of their communities. Check it out at http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/documents//AspenLibrariesReport.pdf .

References
[1] The Aspen Institute. “About the Dialogue.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/what-is (accessed February 19, 2015).

[2] —. “Members of the Dialogue on Public Libraries Working Group.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/participants (accessed February 19, 2015).

[3]  “Members of the Dialogue on Public Libraries Working Group.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/participants (accessed February 19, 2015). Page 11.

[4] Ibid. Page 13.

[5] Ibid. Pages 17-18.

[6] Ibid. Page 33.

The post Dissecting The Aspen Institute Report first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Early experimenters with tablets found them a bit weighty and burdensome, but newer technology has eliminated that complaint for the most part.  Some libraries have taken the tablet concept a bit further and even use them to check out material, renew an item, or place other items on hold, thus eliminating the requisite stop at the circulation desk.  Also, in reference to downloadables (e.g., books, recorded books, movies) librarians have found that it is easier to teach the patrons how to use the features on the actual products people will have at their home, as opposed to reading directions from a desktop.

At the Boise Public Library (BPL), they have begun to switch out desktop computers altogether and replace them with tablets for the librarians in their offices/reference desk. This way they can “work” on them and also be roving reference librarians without switching from one piece of equipment to another.

Full disclosure:  I do not own a tablet, although I have used them at friend’s houses and at work for a special project.  The one I used at work was not owned by my library, but was my boss’ personal tablet that I used for an offsite cataloging project for a major donor. It took a little getting used to; I favor a mouse to a touch pad any day of the week.  That being said, I can see the efficacy and need to integrate tablets into libraries.  In the long run, they will probably eradicate paper and ink waste from printing out locations of books for patrons or receipts from check outs. The integration of tablets is just another sign of the times that libraries need to and will amend to.

References:

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/01/technology/meet-the-tabletarians-mobile-services/#_

The post Tablets: Are They Right for Your Library? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Generally the opinion of some library people is that they don’t have to be especially secure because they are libraries. The idea is security through obscurity. However, all that does is cause libraries to play a waiting game. It is not a question of IF there will be a problem, but when.

Libraries have a plethora of computers with good bandwidth and servers with lots of space. By the very nature of libraries wanting to provide open access, they are a target for potential hackers. Open access is both a tenant of who we are as libraries and extremely important. It is not our intent, at all, to say there should not be open access! However, we must provide this service with our eyes open — knowing it could come back to bite us later. This mode of thinking isn’t meant to scare you, but to cause you to stop and think.

In order to continue to provide the best access possible, we pose the following questions:

When was your last security audit? Have you checked to see that all your recent computer updates installed properly? Did it fix security holes or make the existing ones bigger? Getting someone to do a security audit is similar to getting someone to do a home inspection. There are plenty of people you can call, but you want someone who really knows what he or she is doing so it saves you time and money later on. To find a good security auditor you want to check with current and previous customers of your potential contractor. Are they pleased with the service they received? Did they feel it was worth the money?

Have you kept up-to-date with your updates? Sometimes something as innocuous as not updating a browser plug-in like Flash or Acrobat can be a problem. Are all your Windows updates done? Is your anti-virus up-to-date?

How good are your back-ups? This is one of those questions that can strike fear into your heart. The idea is that back-ups are there if you have a problem, but do you know if they would even help you? Have you ever tried to restore anything from one? This is just about checking to see that the files you are backing up are ones you can actually use. How often are you rotating your back-ups? What length of time do you back up your files? A day? Two days? Do you set one of your back-ups aside every so often to make sure you are not preserving compromised data that has been backing up onto what you would use to restore all your files if necessary?

Have you checked your technological band-aids? Sometimes changes to systems are made in the heat of the moment to accommodate immediate needs. Have you gone back and made sure they were done in the best possible way? Someone placed those band-aids in the best possible way at the time, but that may not be the best long-term fix for the problem.

How are you managing all your updates? There are programs like Ninite (https://ninite.com) and Wpkg (http://wpkg.org/) that can help you manage your non-Microsoft applications updates.  Are you paying attention and checking regularly for your Windows programs updates as well?

Are you ignoring security concerns because you have Apple devices? There is the belief that if you run devices from Apple that you will not be a target for hacking. That is not wholly true. It is true that there are not as many Apple computers to target as Windows computers, but that again is security through obscurity or quantity. Recently Apple has had some security issues so staying updated on your iOS updates and Apple applications updates are important. There are programs like “Get Mac Apps” (http://www.getmacapps.com/) that function similarly to Ninite and Wpkg for Windows devices that manage updates.

My IT person says you guys are wrong! We’re okay with that. Everyone will have local concerns and parameters that make different levels or types of security better or worse for them. Security can’t impede workflow or be so lax that it’s nonexistent. In the end, if you are staying up to date with your virus protection and different program updates, you should be fine. But sticking your head in the sand and pretending security isn’t an issue won’t protect you from anything either. As long as you and your local security person have talked and made a plan that works for your library, then our work has been done.

Melanie A. Lyttle is the Head of Public Services Madison Public Library. You can watch her YouTube channel, Crabby Librarian, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rv5GLWsUow. Shawn D. Walsh is the Emerging Services and Technologies Librarian at Madison Public Library.

The post Protecting Your Library Against a Data Breach first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The E-Rate program is built to “help libraries gain affordable, high capacity broadband. . . ; boost library participation in the program; and increase the efficiency of the application and review process” for eligible libraries. Furthermore, the “Got E-Rate?” page lists information about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reforms of the E-Rate programs and what this means to libraries, particularly public libraries. The page has a lot of information that may or may not be difficult for you to decipher, so I recommend taking a look at “Library Leaders: E-Rate Opportunities Take Center Stage” by Marijke Visser.

Visser breaks down the main take-aways of the E-Rate program with these points:

1. About $1.5 billion has been added to the funding for the E-Rate program
2. The American Library Association, Public Library Association, state library agencies, and other organizations will produce E-rate resources that are aimed to provide libraries that are interested in applying for E-rate funding with “communications, education, practical tools, and technical support.”
3. Increasing broadband capacity is not simply for rural libraries, but also applies to suburban and urban libraries that may need to expand their services.

After reading both of these articles, I had a few initial thoughts:

1. As a librarian, I am (typically) aware and/or reminded of the digital divide in communities. Connecting and working with librarians throughout the state and nation has exposed me to the different resources available (or unavailable) to public libraries and the disparities between communities. However…
2. …as an individual, I tend to forget about things like the “digital divide.” This is easy to do when I’m in my own little world, streaming music from my iPhone on my way to work, and watching Netflix on Apple TV at home. But…
3. ..the digital divide is real. Just take a look at the statistics, “How Americans Go Online” published by Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Library Project. The graph shows the correlation between lower income and education levels with lower access to Internet usage at home and in general. Race and geographic location affect the result.

The Internet is a necessity for not just checking email or research, but also for applying for jobs, learning new technological skills, and gaining confidence. If a person is unable to have broadband access at home, it is all the more imperative that their local library have sufficient access to not only bridge the gap in the digital divide, but also in digital literacy. What are your experiences with broadband access in your community?

Sources

“Got E-rate?” Got E-rate? Web. 22 Feb. 2015. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/goterate

“Library Leaders: E-rate Opportunities Take Center Stage.” District Dispatch. 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 1 Mar. 2015. http://www.districtdispatch.org/2015/01/library-leaders-e-rate-opportunities-take-center-stage

“How Americans Go Online.” Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. 24 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. <http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/09/25/how-americans-go-online/>.

The post Got E-Rate? Bridging the Broadband Divide with the E-Rate Program first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Currently in my home state, there is great discussion about a requested utility rate hike of 20%. Thinking about this possibility in light of the Internet regulation debate gave me pause. Utilities are regulated in my state and the rate hike is currently being “discussed and evaluated,” though I have heard no discussion that a rate increase will not occur. It is simply a question of how much.

In the case of heat and electricity, the consumer is truly over a barrel. But what about Internet? Despite how many of us feel, Internet access is not a fundamental need. If a regulated utility can request a 20% increase after a few years of bad snow storms, what might be considered a legitimate regulated increase for Internet? Of course, there are dangers on the other side of the coin as well. If there is no regulation, then does the situation become massively out of control leaving Internet service to only the wealthy and elite?

The issue has large implications for us in Libraryland. With our current political climate suggesting that libraries could/should go the way of the dodo, there is little incentive for providers to ensure libraries are in the “fast lane.” Further, we already see in libraries the same socioeconomic divide between the haves and the have-nots. Wealthy communities have large libraries with makerspaces, robotics, etc. while smaller libraries in less affluent communities exist more as reading rooms. If this divide is accepted among Internet service as well, the implications and effects of such divide will surely trickle down to the individual level.

In 2010, the FCC ruled that ISPs could not block or delay content and none would be allowed to pay for priority delivery. In effect, it ruled for status quo. But others question the whole concept. They suggest that the notion of network neutrality is nothing more than an illusion; Internet operators have always and still discriminate in what goes to where and how fast it gets there. In this context too, I think about my own Internet provider options, where I can pay more for higher speeds. I don’t understand how this is not in contradiction to the FCC ruling.

I am left to wonder if the issue of network neutrality for libraries will become akin to issues of censorship in libraries. No library engages in “censorship.” Yet every day we make collection decisions based on various criteria. Some of that criterion is cost in relation to our budgets. For most of us, our patrons have limited access, and our access is often a function of the socioeconomic status of our community. Regulation or no regulation—what does it mean for us?

Works Cited

[1] http://www.technologyreview.com/view/531671/are-we-really-saving-the-open-internet/

Cover Art Credit: EFF-Graphics (C.C. BY 3.0)

The post Net Neutral? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

By working with SCCLD, JukePop is able to connect the public to independently published content, one chapter at a time, and allows readers to provide feedback and ratings. As it says in the ULC award website, SCCLD and JukePop wanted to provide a new route to independent eBooks because of the cost to libraries and challenges to library patrons. This new platform cannot replace demand for comprehensive commercial eBook services, but JukePop is able to offer a twist on ebook content: self-published fiction in an easy to use and highly interactive platform.

The public can view the JukePop platform by visiting the SCCLD website. Clicking on the cover icon for each book takes you directly into the first chapter of the book, for quick reading. Each book can be tagged for content and genre. JukePop provides analytics that will help quality content be showcased, including through reader retention and reader rating. A recent browse in JukePop led me to works in a wide range of genres, including adventure, dystopian, and paranormal—content runs eclectic, but appears to be family friendly.

Some libraries might be reluctant to provide broad access to self-published fiction, or even to promote access to a new platform from the main library website. While it is understandable that libraries want to be cautious about new technologies or forms of content, SCCLD appears to benefit from working with a company that can mediate these concerns. All of the content in the platform is separate from the SCCLD catalog, and, according to their website, all comments regarding content or technical problems should be directed to JukePop.

While digital content will continue to shift with available technologies and modes of expression, libraries should consider the possibilities of providing new ways of sharing self-published and independent fiction, especially in an era that delights in serial media. SCCLD should be recognized for taking an experimental leap into providing patrons access to a new writing landscape, which may help readers—and public libraries—better support creative communities.

References

Barack, Lauren. “JukePop Opens Kickstarter to Get Indie Ebooks into Libraries” The Digital Shift. September 27, 2014.

The post Santa Clarita Library and JukePop: A New Collaboration for Independent, Self-published EBooks first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Writing strong and effective technology proposals is something that we, as educators and library professionals, should be able to do and be able to do well. Odds are, if we’re going to implement innovative and creative technology in our libraries, we’ll probably have to make a strong case for it to appear in the budget. Let’s face it, innovative technologies like 3D printers, vinyl cutters and professional recording studios don’t exactly fall into the “essential needs of the library” budget line, nor do the latest and greatest computers for that matter. While Macs are cool, they aren’t that cool.

Unless you happen to work for one of those five-star-Library-Journal-endless-budget-how-do-they-keep-doing-it-libraries, you need to accept the fact that you’ll have to put in some extra effort if you want your library to be able to keep up with what’s hot.

The following steps are a framework for creating proposals that will get people to listen:

1. What do you want? How much does it cost? Who cares?
The most important part of any proposal is identifying the thing that you actually want and how much it costs. This is simple and needs little explanation. What is not simple, however, is pinpointing who will actually care or truly benefit from the things we purchase. The best way I’ve found to begin this process is to first propose my idea (and cost) to some of my very close non-library friends. The ones who will tell it like it is. If their response is, “Why would the library waste money on that?” or the rhetorical “Who cares?” and I cannot convince them to respond otherwise, I probably have some more thinking to do.  For further information on this, see step 3, “Purpose.”

2. Know your audience: Think about who are you proposing to and tailor it towards them. The Library Board? Management? The Director? Friends of the Library?

If you’re proposing that the library should purchase a 3D printer, find out what would interest those who are you proposing to. Is the Board President an avid Star Trek fan? Of course she can print a replica of the Starship Enterprise with the new 3D printer.

Want to learn the rest of the steps? Head over to DigitalLearn.org.

Jason Pinshower is the Information Services Librarian and the Technology Trainer at the Fox River Valley Public Library District in Illinois where he creates and teaches technology courses, develops the eBook collection and manages the 3D printer among many other things. You can contact him at jpinshower@frvpld.info.

The post Getting Your Proposals Passed: How to Create Strong Technology Proposals first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The Westport Library in Westport, Connecticut, has contributed a great deal of resources towards several expensive high tech purchases. One such acquisition is the SolidWorks computer-aided design software.[1] This was used to reach out to a niche community—primarily postgraduates trying to hone their skills—a purchase that benefits a fairly small audience.  Funding such projects could be controversial in some communities since it is funneling general funds towards a service that requires a fair amount of expertise to use and hence is fairly limited in reach.  The other way to view this is that the library is providing value to a group that might not otherwise look to the library for services.  It can also be a way to create advocates in the community from different sectors, particularly in this instance where it was in response to a suggestion from a local biomedical engineer.[2]

Generally, these decisions might be difficult to gain support for, but outside funding sources can greatly impact how an idea is sold to the Board of Trustees and the broader community.  The funding for a pair of programmable NAO Evolution robots was provided by a family foundation.[3]   While the funding for the robots was provided, it still required time and effort to promote these purchases, create programming around them, see that they are used in a manner that keeps them in good repair, and avoid any usages that might cause harm to patrons or the device.  This is not for every library, but it seems to have been well utilized by Westport.  The library received a great deal of media attention from news services throughout the country and from Russia, Spain, and Vietnam.[4]  This publicity can greatly enhance the library’s visibility and can inspire community members to look to the library for non-traditional services.

Yet investing in makerspaces is not only about creating media coverage. The high tech resources allow the library to create and share knowledge in new and unconventional ways.  Maxine Bleiweis, executive director for Westport Library, has noted how these additions are in line with the latest information on learning theories and how creating new content shows a high level of understanding of a given concept. She also correlated these costs to subscription costs for databases.[5]

Libraries should consider whether they can and should contribute part of their collection development budget towards new learning technologies. A key question that every library needs to consider when making a large investment of time and resources is how it relates back to the institutions mission.  The mission of the Westport Library “to empower individuals and strengthen the community, providing a welcoming destination that stimulates curiosity, encourages lifelong learning and promotes the open and lively exchange of information and ideas.”[6]  The high tech additions of the makerspace seem to effectively fit into this mission, and they have the resources to support this new technology.

A recurring question in library circles is what the library of the future will look like.  A key aspect of this is the extent to which makerspaces and particularly high tech makerspaces are a part of this future.  While it is unlikely that every library will have highly technical, expensive equipment, it should not be inconceivable that a library can provide this type of support if there is the community desire and the available resources.

Works Cited

[1]    Enis, Matt.  “Westport Maker Space Expands with Robots, SolidWorks Courses and Volunteer Training.”  Library Journal.  Accessed November 22, 2014.  http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2014/10/hardware-2/westport-maker-space-expands-robots-solidworks-courses-volunteer-training/

[2]    ibid

[3]    ibid

[4]    ibid

[5]    ibid

[6]    “About WPL.”  Westport Library.  Accessed November 22, 2014. http://westportlibrary.org/about

Cover Photo Credit: CSM Library CC BY 2.0

The post High Tech Makerspaces first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Education – The first way to keep the technology from being unfairly blamed for problems is properly teaching people how to use the device in question. In our observation, if people are given the tools to understand something, technology or otherwise, things turn out better. If people are just following a specific set of steps in a specific order with no understanding of why, there is more room for problems. One departure from the prescribed directions and the person does not know how to get the technology to behave. A person who understands why the steps work the way they do is more likely to be able to adapt and keep the technology working if some external force acts on the situation making things malfunction.

Patience – This is the first way to begin to figure out what the problem is. Take the time to talk with the person having the problem and understand the situation from their perspective. Watch what the person is doing. Is the problem replicable? If a behavior can be observed and then changed to get the technology to work right, then it’s the person. If the problem is replicable but all behaviors are correct and right, it’s something within the technology.

Respect – If you do not have respect for the person having the technological problem, there will be more technology problems. Whether or not, the technology is ultimately to blame, the person thinks it is. If he or she believes technology is a problem, the person will develop his or her own (sometimes elaborate) ways to avoid technology. Or even worse, they will ignore or not report other problems with the technology because they believe there is nothing that can be done to correct the problem. Additionally you may also have the user who cries wolf. Even if you know without a shadow of a doubt that there isn’t a problem, you must treat the person like their concern is legitimate and help them through it.

History and Home – Each person has a past, and each person has a home. Technology is so pervasive at this point that most people have a history with technology as well as technology in their homes. The biases and experiences from those involvements follow the person. If they can’t figure out how to program a DVR, they may not have a positive attitude about other technologies. If they have encountered  unreliable technology in the past, they may expect a similar experience from all technological interactions.

Due Diligence – Technology has to be maintained, and problems have to be communicated. All people involved, both those that maintain the technology and the people who use it, have to communicate with the other. There is no way to figure out what the problem is if no one talks to each other. In many instances technology issues have a pattern; finding ways to uncover that pattern via documentation can often make the difference in how quickly issues are resolved.

We wish we could tell you there was a specific set of steps to follow to use to tell whether it’s the human or the technology. But perhaps the ideas listed above will help figure out what the problem is.

Melanie A. Lyttle is the Head of Public Services Madison Public Library. You can watch her YouTube channel, Crabby Librarian, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rv5GLWsUow. Shawn D. Walsh is the Emerging Services and Technologies Librarian at Madison Public Library.

The post Whose Fault Is It? The Technology Or The Human Using It? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Recently I came across a reference book in my library on American innovators called They Made America by Harold Evans. This book details the big idea people that truly changed the American way of life. Important inventors and innovators ranging from historical figures like Eli Whitney, Levi Strauss, Henry Ford, and Walt Disney to current innovators like Larry Page and Sergey Brin the founders of Google, are each given a chapter. What do all of these people have in common? An idea (or two) and the passion and energy to act on it! Librarianship is a field that is still seeing almost constant change and lends itself to people with ideas who are not afraid of challenging the way things have always been done.

When I worked at the Delray Beach Public Library, I sat across the room from an underutilized computer lab. Ten computers in a quiet and ideal environment just glaring at me, almost begging me to be used. These underutilized resources irked me, and I was even more frustrated when patrons pointed at the lab when all the public internet computers were being used and asked, “Why can’t we use the computers in there?”. I had no good answer besides the fact that we only ever used the lab for our computer classes. I was beyond fortunate to have the opportunity as a member of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute to use this lab as my culminating project and turn the space into the Empowerment Zone – a career, eGov, and education resource that in a year would allow over 100 patrons a month to use the space and computers.

Next year, I would like to challenge everyone in our profession to try to smash the status quo. As mentioned previously, giving up takes little effort, but trying to find a way around a road block can be an important challenge. On March 21^st, the anniversary of the founding of Twitter (facilitator of change throughout the world), I propose #SmashTheStatusQuoDay, where every library professional attempts to create or reimagine an idea, or just plain blow up the status quo in a way that is beneficial to their library and profession. You can tweet about it, or mention it on Facebook and other social media platforms. The challenge is positive change for you and your organization. Good luck and remember that there are plenty of resources out there, including Public Libraries Online, to help you formulate your plan of attack!

The post Smash the Status Quo! Rejuvenating Your Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.