Basic Instruction for Library Patrons:

This is an opportunity to continue to provide technology instruction to our patrons. Introductory courses in any recent version of iOS will cover the basics, such as turning a device on and off, connecting to WiFi, downloading apps, managing notifications, and other essential features. iOS 11 has made changes that could require some explanation for current users updating their devices. The App Store has been revamped, including a partition between apps and games. The Control Center is now customizable and has merged with the lock screen. Siri has received an upgrade and is now capable of more intelligent searches. These changes both structural and cosmetic could prove disorienting for the non-techie.

Improved Picture Taking:

Apple has once again improved on the ability of their phones and tablets to take photos. iOS 11 has improved the Live Photos option, allowing three new editing choices loop, bounce, and long exposure.^[1]  With a little instruction, library patrons can use these features to great effect–an ambitious librarian could host a digital art show. On the staff side, the improved Live Photos can be used to create simple but engaging content on library social media platforms–particularly Instagram and Facebook.

New & Improved Utilities:

One new utility that should see heavy use is a new document scanner built into iOS 11’s Notes app. Documents can now be easily scanned and exported as PDFs, without needing to install 3rd party apps of dubious origin!^[2] Couple this feature with wireless printing and you have the opportunity to further empower your patrons. Siri can now translate English to French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Spanish. While not an ideal option, it may provide assistance during reference transactions with non-English speaking patrons.

Planning for the Future:

Aside from what was already mentioned, there are new, emerging features that libraries should plan to take advantage of. iOS 11 has begun rolling out an indoor maps feature for shopping malls and airports. One can hope this feature will continue to evolve and expand to include other (read libraries) locations! Apple has also introduced ARkit, a platform that will allow developers to build augmented reality features directly into their apps.^[3] Libraries that have created their own app and have used a third party developer, should begin to consider how augmented reality might improve upon the patron experience.

References

^[1]“Inside iOS 11: Live Photos gets new photo effects!” YouTube. July 06, 2017. Accessed October 17, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPsTniFGkhA.

^[2]“IOS 11.” All New Features, Screenshots, Available Now. October 16, 2017. Accessed October 17, 2017. https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-11/.

^[3] Ibid.

The post Opportunities for Libraries with Apple’s Latest Operating System first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

PL: For those unfamiliar with EveryLibrary, how would you describe your organization?

PS: I think EveryLibrary is an interesting organization because it fills a gap in our library advocacy ecosystem. As one of the few library groups organized as a 501c4 (social welfare organization, also considered a Political Action Committee), and as the only National 501c4 for libraries, we are allowed to expend our resources on political work while the 501c3s that dominate the library advocacy space are only allowed to expend a portion of their resources on politics. These 501c3 organizations do really amazing and outstanding work on a lot of state and federal legislative issues as well as providing a ton of great resources to our industry that we heavily depend on and are much needed. But the major issue in libraries is funding them and 90 percent of library funding comes from the will of the local voters and the will of local politicians. That means that we need to get more political at the local level and work on local campaigns and elections and voter engagement as well as political activism centered on librarians. EveryLibrary is primarily dedicated to work on local campaigns and elections for libraries and local political issues for libraries of all kinds.

PL: Why is this book necessary?

PS: We hope that this book will help librarians and library staff understand how to influence the political world in which they work. The best way I can talk about why this book is necessary is through the story of my first library job. I started as a library manager about 10 months before the great recession and I had to lay off almost half my staff less than a year into my career. It was wildly eye-opening because I really had no idea about how political the funding mechanisms were for my day-to-day operations. I wasn’t politically savvy, I didn’t take the time to do the political organizing and building around the library, I didn’t understand that I needed stronger political networks and allies, and when the city came looking for cuts, they came looking to cut the department that would get them the least amount pressure or negativity from the residents or their political allies. Unfortunately, that department was the library.

You know who didn’t get cut? The police. In fact, the police hired more officers, kept their raises, and retained their funding. It definitely wasn’t a public safety issue (although they said it was) because there hadn’t been violent crime in that city for more than 10 years. Instead, it was because they were exceptionally well organized, had strong support networks across the city, build political capital, and knew how to organize the community and those networks around them.

The police in that community had skills that we don’t teach in library school and we don’t teach it in our extended learning courses or emphasize it enough in our conferences. But as we see a stronger sentiment against taxes and government, we are going to really need these skills. I really hope that this book will help teach these skills to librarians long before they need them.

PL: Libraries pride themselves on being apolitical. Indeed the idea of entering the political arena in any fashion can be an uncomfortable thought. How do you allay this concern?

PS: I think we need to realize that we aren’t apolitical at all and that getting political doesn’t necessarily mean choosing a progressive or conservative viewpoint. It means that our paychecks and the funding we rely on to provide great services to our communities are dependent on the will of the local voters and the local politicians. If our jobs are dependent on the voters or on politics and we are allowed to keep working based solely on the will of local politics, then whether we like it or not, our jobs are very political. In fact, I would argue that this truth makes us more like political candidates and that we need to operate our libraries as if we are each an incumbent politician running a campaign each year to ensure that we can continue to do our jobs and have the resources to serve our communities.

PL: Libraries remain an incredibly well-respected institution. Do you think this has the effect of making us complacent?

PS: I might argue that we aren’t necessarily that well-respected, but we are well-liked and have historically been well-supported and that has definitely made us complacent. Previous to the great recession, libraries could easily put something on the ballot and walk away and have a pretty decent chance of winning. Librarians simply didn’t have to learn how to be political or what it meant to politically fight for funding.  We don’t have politics embedded in the culture of librarianship the way many other industries do.

Of course, a lot has changed since the recession and not just because of the recession. First of all, there is a huge anti-tax, anti-government movement in this country and it is getting very well organized with the Tea-Party and the Libertarians getting better funding, more supporters, and learning how to use those resources to organize a community against taxes and government like we saw in Douglas County, Oregon or Kern County, California. These organizations have huge networks of supporters, are well-funded, and can turn a community radically against taxes and government. When that happens the library often becomes a proxy fight for taxation and government even if it is decently well-liked or respected. The community votes or resists library services or funding, not because they are against the library, but because they are mad that the Mayor didn’t fix the potholes in front of their house, or because another tax was passed that they didn’t like, or because someone on city-council that they don’t like with supports the library levy and so they are going to vote against the library to punish that city-council person. In any case, we really can’t be complacent anymore and have to be much better at understanding these political ecosystems that we work in.

PL: One of the things I appreciated about your book is its honesty. You don’t attempt to gloss over the hard work and personal sacrifice involved in winning an election. In particular, the “Gut Check: Public Service Fitness Test” stands out.

PS: A campaign is really incredibly hard work and there aren’t any shortcuts. In fact, there is a campaign history that is hundreds of years old and filled with hundreds of thousands of campaigners who were each looking for shortcuts and trying to make winning elections easier. Nobody has found it yet. If it existed, we would be doing it and elections would be cheap and easy. Anyone who needs to run a campaign needs to understand that is it hard work and that you’re going to have to give up nights, weekends, and vacations, to benefit the campaign for at least a few months before Election Day. That’s just part of the game.

PL: Libraries serve all members of their community. This big tent of patrons isn’t the same as a winning voting coalition.

PS: That’s incredibly true. In fact, some of a library’s biggest and strongest supporters or allies might have never stepped foot in the library nor do they need to. Someone doesn’t need to use the library to understand how important a library is to other people in the community. That means that libraries shouldn’t just be relying on their users or patrons for support. Getting outside the audience of users and focusing on building a network of supporters instead of a network of users can really help a library increase donations, volunteers, and people willing to take action on behalf of the library. I think a big problem with our library advocacy and marketing model is how focused we are on getting more patrons and I strongly believe we need to focus on building a network of supporters and then radicalizing that network of supporters so they are willing to take action. There is some of that in this book as well.

PL: Aside from a focus on winning the election at hand, passing a bond, etc: this book also preaches preventative medicine. Can you speak to the concept of “perpetual campaign?”

PS: There is a concept in political theory called Surfacing. This is the phase of a campaign before there is actually a campaign. It’s based on the understanding that there are only three resources in a campaign and those are time, money, and people.  You often see politicians make use of time by doing things like showing up at the Iowa State Fair or suddenly showing up on CNN two years before they ever announce that they’re running. Or, as would be more visible to librarians, they write a book that comes out two years before they announce their candidacy. They do this to introduce themselves to the community of voters and talk about their beliefs and tell their stories of impact before someone is telling opposing stories about them in a campaign. The more they tell those stories and get in the heads of voters with their own narratives, the less impact the opposition will have on their campaign. The voters are more likely to believe the stories they’ve heard for the last two years, before they believe the stories told by the opposition in the last minutes before a campaign. Also during this time a presidential candidate is testing messaging, getting the contact information of everyone who supports them (name, email, phone, address), building coalitions with strong partners, and understanding the data about who and why they are supported or opposed through strong strategic public opinion polling. Libraries can do all of the same things fairly inexpensively and the book talks about that quite a bit.

PL: Patrick, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Before we conclude, do you have any parting words for our readers?

PS: My biggest suggestion is that we start thinking about the politics of funding our libraries. Politics and library funding are inextricably tied and in order to influence our funding, we need to understand and influence local politics. Beyond the information in the book, EveryLibrary has many resources that are freely available to anyone who is interested in learning more or is looking for the tools they need to get started. Everything we do for libraries is pro-bono and paid for by many great donors and vendor supporters. You can find out more about our work at everylibrary.org.

The post We Can’t Be Complacent Anymore – PL Talks With Patrick Sweeney first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

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.

Entrepreneur Magazine defines side hustle as “a way to make some extra cash that allows you flexibility to pursue what you’re most interested in.”^[2] Online marketplaces can offer patrons a venue to sell new or used items, as well as their own creations. Consider developing classes for some common platforms, including:

• Etsy: A self-described “global creative commerce platform,”^[3] Etsy is a popular marketplace of handmade items.
• eBay: One of the largest online auction and shopping websites in the world.
• LetGo and Carousell: These snap and sell services allow you to quickly take a picture of an item and create a listing using an app. These services require that you meet in person, rather than arrange shipping.

When developing these classes, you’ll want to ensure your curriculum covers some core concerns. Among these are:

Creating a listing: What are the best practices of each service? What are the elements of a successful listing? How does one upload a photo and when should one pay a premium to use additional photos? Discuss the use of keywords to improve discoverability. Cover how to write a catchy headline and effective description.

Marketing: Aside from discussing how to upload photos, you should also spend some time on how to take them! There are entire website dedicated to bad eBay listings; often a poor photo central to the catastrophe! Instruct your class on how to create a simple light box, or better yet–offer one as a public service! What are the costs/benefits of a promoted listing? Finally, discuss social media. While this can be a topic for a separate class, you should touch on the ability of sites like Etsy to integrate to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Shipping and taxes: We often consider shipping and taxes as a consumer, but they are also a common concern among sellers. Shipping can easily impact profitability for a seller. Be sure to go over postal scales and how to print mailing labels. While libraries shy away from directly providing tax guidance, there is, of course, good referral information for Etsy, Ebay and other services.

Protecting yourself: It’s not just buyer beware! Sellers should be aware of how to manage issues involving scams, failure to pay, unwarranted negative feedback, and general disputes. Shipping insurance is a necessary topic.In the case of in-person meetings, educate patrons on SafeTrade Stations, where they can do their business safely. Finally, familiarize the class with their chosen platform’s seller protection policy.

By teaching a tech side hustle, your library has an opportunity to quickly deliver value to your patrons in the form of additional income. The outlined classes and similar ones offer a gateway to entrepreneurship that can grow into full-fledged businesses. Along that journey, the library can continue to offer assistance in the form of business counseling, tax assistance, supplementary classes (such as social media marketing), and a wide range of electronic and print resources with business applicability.

References

^[1] http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9951-long-hours-multiple-jobs.html

^[2] https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/230431

^[3] https://www.etsy.com/about

The post Teaching the Tech Side Hustle first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Content:

In February 2017, Pokémon GO released eighty new second generation Pokémon into the game. With this new content came a 50 percent increase in use, though it has faded over time.^[2] Expect a similar shot in the arm, as there are plans to release “legendary Pokémon” into the mix. These are suspected to be a social activity where numerous players will need to wear down the most powerful of Pokémon.^[3] Libraries should be prepared to create fandom events around future major releases. If legendary Pokémon do indeed require groups of players working in tandem under a deadline, then their appearance at your library should be met with a social media blast that allows you to quickly advertise a pop up program.

Events:

From May 5-8 a Worldwide Bloom event took place, whereby Pokémon of a certain (grass) type appeared at a dramatically higher rate and lures used to attract Pokémon lasted six times longer.^[4] Prior to this, the developer has employed holiday events, such as their Valentine’s Day and Holiday Season promotions. While it’s probably too much to hope for a 2018 National Library Workers Day special, it is reasonable to expect other seasonal events, so keep an ear to the ground and plan accordingly!

Features:

Niantic is working to push new social aspects in its game. There remains the long-promised Pokémon, which would allow a pokéstop (think of them as a resupply area) to be augmented with special features. If these augmentations take the form of in-app purchases, take the opportunity to use them as inexpensive ways to drive traffic to your library. A trading option appears likely,^[5] and may be tied to a pokécenter, meaning individuals will need to be in proximity to each other in order to conduct their business. As someone who has witnessed children (and adults) arguing over Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, this feature comes with mixed emotions! Expect your library to become a hub of such activity. PVP (player versus player) features are also forthcoming, and with it, the possibility of a library hosting a tournament, if the game mechanics allow.^[6]

While there remains some uncertainty regarding the future of Pokémon GO, it seems clear that there is a real effort to rekindle excitement. Warm weather in and of itself encourages Pokémon hunting, and this summer seems primed for several major updates that could cause a second outbreak of Pokémon fever! So go, cultivate a relationship with the Pokémon diehards who never left the game (they may be your co-workers) and use them as an early warning system! Assess your location; is it a pokéstop/pokégym or in proximity to one? Finally, sketch out some programs that you can roll out on short notice.

Resource List:

Pokémon GO Glossary: Learn all the common game terminology!

https://support.pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/hc/en-us/articles/222049307-Glossary

25 Pokémon Crafts for Kids: Great ideas for kids and teens, particularly for use in a fandom event!

25 Pokémon Crafts for Kids

Niantic Labs Blog: Get official updates straight from the source!

https://www.nianticlabs.com/blog/

Program Model: Pokéthon : A multi day fandom event organized by the Obion County Public Library, with reproducibles.

http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs/pok%C3%A9thon

References

^[1] http://bgr.com/2017/04/03/pokemon-go-popularity-2016-users/

^[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2017/02/28/gen-2-caused-a-huge-spike-in-pokemon-go-play-but-its-fading-fast/#181007ec193d

^[3] http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-04-18-pokemon-go-legendary-pokemon-articuno-mewtwo-mew-zapdos-moltres-raikou-entei-suicune-lugia-hooh-celebi

^[4] http://pokemongoinformer.com/pokemon-go-worldwide-bloom-event/

^[5] http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/pokemon-go-updates-everything-you-need-to-know-about-what-s-coming-next-1330140

^[6] ibid

The post Will There Be Another Summer of Pokémon GO? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.