Connecting Librarian

It was a great day. Even though I had wireless access, I was having too much fun in the sessions and too busy networking in the times between, to do any blog posting during the day.

An icebreaker activity of teams creating the fartherest flying missile got things off and running and the topics were quickly created and scheduled. And here they are…..

First thing I noticed was that it was a very different group to last year. There were a number of people who attended last years unconference, but at least 70% were attending their first. This means that the knowledge level and interplay with attendees is very different to last year - not bad, just different.

I nominated cloud computing as a topic and was lucky to have the wonderful David Feighan to help me facilitate it, as one of the first groups for the day. We had about 30 people in the room and I was pleased David and I were able to give a mini workshop on the topic, as most people did not know what it was or the implications for libraries, both positive and negative. Fortunately, as we were in the computer room, we were able to show them relevant links and examples that answered some of the questions they were asking.

After morning tea, a group of about 50 got together to talk about social inclusion, the digital divide and the challenges for libraries brought about by the fast changing technology and online environment. We didnt come up with any eye opening solutions to the issue, but it was a good time of revealing all aspects of the issue, including the many types of digital divide that still exist even in this time of high broadband penetration.

It was a beautiful day, so we took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful food outdoors, along with some great networking with old and new friends.

The first session after lunch for me, was a leadership dynamics session the the days facilitator Ann. A group of 17 librarians became a business creating greeting cards, with different departments and the issues that came with fulfilling the order (and yes, we actually created cards - pretty badly, but we did make them). It was an eye opening session, giving us a great insight, not only into organisations, but also into leadership and even into ourselves.

The final session I again helped facilitate (I nominated one of the topics), this one on the interesting topics of open source, interactive media and mobile platforms. David Feighan (gotta love him), showed us some great things happening in interactive media - including the Portable Film Festival. As David pointed out, many millions are being spent on these websites, but we can still do some things that dont cost the earth, that make our sites more interactive.

With the introduction of the iPhone in Australia and its instant popularity, the need for mobile accessible content is becoming more important. Until phone plans come down in price in Australia, the demand wont be huge, but its something that libraries need to have on their radar. We also discussed QR codes and how libraries may be able to use them.

We also talked about open source software. Many libraries are using Linux on servers, some are even using them on some their public PCs. More than a few libraries offer open source software, such as Firefox, Open Office and the Gimp as well. A couple of libraries are looking at open software OPACs to sit on their proprietary ILSs and there has been discussion in some circles about creating consortia and moving to an Open Source ILS such as Evergreen or Koha, but no serious moves at this stage. It was interesting to hear what is going how and what people are thinking about.

Feedmate from colleagues who wouldnt usually attend such events, was that it was a great networking opportunity and they learnt and were able to share a lot about what we were doing in our libraries that was relevant to the discussion.

The day concluded with door prizes of an iPod and massive chocolate basket - which I unfortunately did not win, and drinks. It was a long day, but well worth it.

Congrats to Chris Mackenzie and the team at Yarra Plenty for another great conference - It was very much appreciated.

Today I was warmly welcomed by Denise Stewart at the Dublin, Ohio offices of Web Junction. OCLC is located on a large green expanse outside of Columbus Ohio. It’s an awesome complex on a beautiful location with approximately 1,000 staff working out of two of the three OCLC owned buildings on site. Photos have been uploaded to my Flickr account.

Denise Stewart, my host, is one of two staff who works as support for the Web Junction website at the Dublin offices, amongst a team of approximately 10 support, development, and QA etc staff. The hardware/software side of the operation is also based here, with the content team in Seattle. “Web Junction is a cooperative of library staff sharing and using online resources that enable us to identify and embrace appropriate technologies and apply them to our daily work.” They use forums, a wealth of free resources, training and partnerships with cultural organisations in order to achieve this. Much of the courseware is provided through a consortia arrangement with Mind Leaders, so is available at a greatly reduced price, to any Web Junction member.

There are currently over 24,352 enrolments on Web Junction courses, which includes restricted content, such as the courses they host for the University of North Texas. However, there are individuals who enroll for 10-15 courses at once, so this does not translate to the same amount of students. Enrolments expire after a year, so these are current enrolments.

Denise and Mike monitor the email and phone help desk support, which is monitored using OCLC’s Relationship Management System, which enables them to keep good track of and statistics on any support requests coming in, from first receipt, through all touches, to completion.

Network administration of the Web Junction website and the other OCLC products including First Search, Question Point etc, are monitored 24/7 in the same building, with three shifts of staff. The Web Junction site runs on two servers: an Application Server which manages the incoming traffic and the Database server from which the content is transferred. These are supported by two redundant servers, which kick in if there is a problem with the primary servers. They also run development and QA servers for testing before going live, which along with their power sources, cooling etc, all have redundancies including two optic fibre networks which connect them to the internet.

They all also have a lab especially for usability studies, where both staff and non-staff are invited to come in and test software which they are unfamiliar with. This also includes an observation room for OCLC staff to monitor the usability interactions.

Of all the courses begun through Web Junction, about 30% are completed, with the vast majority “in progress”. Many users sign up for a particular course in order to learn a particular skill set and so may never complete the entire course.

The Library at OCLC is fascinating, particularly their collection of early DDC’s. They have a duplicate first edition (a lot thinner than the current editions) and a digitized copy of a first edition which Melvil Dewey wrote his notes for the 2^nd edition all over. Check it out at – it’s something to behold. Also amazing was the printed cards which are still done in the card room at the rate of 400,000 per month (check out the photos on Flickr). Old meets new in this space as it is also the print/copy office.

Thanks to Denise for a great day at an awesome location and to Chrystie Hill from the Seattle Office, who I caught up with at Computers in Libraries. You guys are doing some great things and I will be looking to stay more in touch with them.

Chad’s voice is Library Voice, check it out.

What this presentation is about is wikis, blogs, podcasts, screencasts, surveys, polls, and other tools.

Learning occurs everywhere, not just in the classroom. Librarians teach one shot instruction sessions, often attempting to squeeze too many learning objectives into the one session.

Pre-class preparation - alternatives to handouts which are often left behind - blogs and wikis. Chad uses these tools and sometimes teaches straight off the blog or wiki, especially for students at libraries that don’t have the same resources as the main library. ie. Biz Wiki. Can walk into any class and be ready to teach those students, because the resources are all there to access. The students just need the address, there is no handout to lose.

He got the professors to put the assignments onto the wiki and then Chad would link to the relevant resources under each question, rather than having all 80 students coming to see him the day before its due. Pre-class Prep tools, include Media or pbwiki and internally or externally hosted Word Press.

In Class Feedback tools can be proprietary and expensive, so better to use Polls and IM. In your locally hosted version of Word Press, there is a plug in - WP Polls that you can use to create internal polls. Can use the results, which are visible to the survey participants, to drive the discussion. Still have the problem of having the right questions. He did a live demo of how this worked on his blog - created a quick poll and blog entry. Can lock it down so each student can only respond once. Chad uses the meebo widget to allow them to ask questions in class, without having to put their hands up publicly. It can alleviate student boredom, allows students to have partial ownership of the class and helps develop instructor skills.

Post class tools. Survey linked from a blog post. phpESP, data lives on your server, more functions for the price, including great statistics. Alternatives include Survey Monkey, but free version is limited and the data doesn’t rest on your site.

Additional instruction maybe supplementary or complementary to the class. They are using podcasts in multiple languages for a library tour. From Sep 06 - Jan 07 it was downloaded 700 times - hence saving staff time. They used Audacity to create it - showed us how to do it, very simple. Once its posted to the blog or iTunes it automatically has an RSS feed.

Screencasting using Wink (http://www.debugmode.com/wink/ - not open source but its free. Allows you to do screen captures and record voice over it. You can scroll down the pages whilst your talking, click on links and so much more. Automatically saves it as a htm file, can upload it and more. Chad demoed it here and is is sooooo easy too! We could use it straight away and move to the paid software later.

Videos - record video with a camcorder, capture screen video with CamStudio - records AVI format (open source) - again he demoed it - again very easy to do. Can also convert it flash, but its still a linear recording process. camstudio.org

Audio and video can have a bit of a learning curve, initial experiences can be very time consuming, but he end product is well worth the investment, it adds a human element to what your are doing.

Typical follow up support includes IM, email and blog and wiki. Can also use del.icio.us with tags as to how the resources may be used. Also Facebook or MySpace, linked from the blog, wiki etc, where students can read the RSS feed from your blog, you can answer questions through your inbox etc.

Online FAQs and online scheduler. Knowledge Publisher is an open source FAQ generator, which includes comments and rating facilities. They can also ask a question through it and the answers can then be posted to the FAQ. PHP Scheduler where students can book time, at Ohio they are using it to book study rooms. Can also use it to book time to meet with librarians etc.

Closing thoughts:
- don’t be afraid to get under the hood
- learn from failures and successes
- try new things and get momentum to get buy in
- try looking at other tools with an eye for potential library uses

Am going to be visiting Charlotte in the last 2 days of this week, so introduced myself to Helen before the session - also managed to grab a quick chat with Meredith Farkas, Nicole Engard and Aaron Schmid - very exciting!

All feeling the technology surge, which is getting better. Like a wave, trying to stay on the rest of the wave, not fall in front or fall behind. Greater demand for services, high user expectations and more. New model for libraries is technology as a foundation on top of funding, providing highly skilled and trained staff, real and virtual connections, real and virtual services.

PLCMC Information Technology Core Competencies are at 4 levels. Not providing service when it is someone elses job to support technology. Lori Reed is their core competencies trainer. Core I - every staff person should be able to do it, eg. access the intranet, enter timesheets, print, save files. (will have a link to all the core competency lists via Helene’s blog) . Pre-assessment showed that biggest need was in core troubleshooting. Core II includes patron support competencies such as searching the catalogue and using ILS (Horizon). Core III - envisionware & LPT for PC management and printing, One competencies. Core IV - more librarians and public trainers needed basic AV knowledge (ie. connecting laptop and projector), imaging and Public Technology training. The Core Competencies are aimed at supporting public service, so not management or administration. http://tinyurl.com/yo2zmh

Technology Competencies and Training for Libraries by Sarah Houghton-Jan recommended, as well as Web Junction - two tiered.

Core competencies support the changes that have already happened and are integrated into our everyday work. Different approach required for new changes, hence the Learning 2.0 program. How do we prepare and stay current in the information arena. Its all over the media.

Learning 2.0 started as Tech Bytes where they introduced RSS and blogging to staff. They came for 1 1/2 hr workshop, but after 3 months, they had reached 65 out of 540 staff. The info has to get out quick as it is all changing so quick. Had to do something different. Inspired by Stephen Abrams 43 things. Trimmed it back to 23 Things - Learning 2.0 was born. Learning program to encourage staff and expose them to Web 2.0 tools that are out there.

9 weeks of program, plus 1 month of extra exploration time. Mostly free, apart from time and the cost of a microphone (apart from the cost of the staff rewards for completing it). All done using freely available web 2.0 tools.

It was all about exposing staff to new tools, encouraging play, empowering individuals, expanding the knowledge toolbox and eliminating fear. Encouraging staff to learn and have fun.

Its also about staff controlling their life-long learning, not about having it all delivered to them. Learning 2.0 is a weapon of mass instruction.

Learning 2.0 best practices:

- don’t confuse learning with training

- building the program for late bloomers

- allow participants to blog anonymously

- communicate weekly using 1.0 methods

- focus on discovery and encourage challenges

- encourage staff to use each other and work together

- Remember that its not about acceptance or doing it right – its about exposure

- Practice transparency and radical trust

- And continually encourage staff to play!!!

Been duplicated by many different libraries. Its out there for free.