How does the programming you’re doing in your Public Computer Center compare to others? What are some suggestions on how best to engage decision makers in your work? How should you think about staffing your PCC? We spent some time at Beyond BTOP sharing our experiences, but what are the best practices in the field? Sarah Washburn, from Tech Soup, led an overview of the Edge Benchmarks. These benchmarks, covering community value, engaging the community and decision makers, and organizational management, will help answer just such questions.
The benchmarks are a voluntary tool to help a library assess how well it is doing, what steps it can take to improve, and provide resources and support materials to help achieve the benchmarks. I heard after the presentation some ways that you all are already planning to leverage these industry standards. One library director is planning to rewrite job descriptions to include technology competencies, and these standards will help her have something to point to if the board or staff question why. How will you use the Edge Benchmarks?
Computers have a learning curve. Regardless of all the benefits, people resist.
Same can be said of the ADA equipped computer stations. I know, you hoped if you just dropped some impressive sounding software, like 'Kurzweil 3000' on a computer station all the folks who could benefit from it would magically appear and know how to use it and maybe even teach you a few tricks.
You built it - they will come! Hollywood said so!
I know, I wanted it all to work like a movie too.... All we would have to do would be 'build it' and 'they will come', and they would be digitally literate and aware and informed and, well, as long as we are dreaming, they would vote to fund libraries and convince all their friends to do so too!
And they all lived happily ever after.
Just because someone gets older and the arthritis kicks in, doesn't mean the knowledge to use adaptive technology kicks in. Shoot, even knowing there is something that could help you when your hands tire of typing is a leap! Finding easier ways to do things isn't easy if you have been doing things one way for a long time. It's that scary 'change' thing again and it always brings a learning curve with it.
Heck, I have been looking for an instruction manual for years... one with the answers in the back, so I will know what to expect! Knowing what to expect is what makes 'change' a wee bit more comfortable.
One in three people in the U.S. do not have home access to the internet. See how libraries are transforming lives, by changing the way we connect.
This video was produced by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to demonstrate the impact of public computer centers in public libraries. Please take a few moments to watch this video which is national in scope but features the High Plains Library District and Erin Kirchoefer.
Some of you may know that my favorite time of the quarter is reading through the computer class participant survey comments. Here's a sample from this quarter:
From the true beginners:
"Wanted to throw my computer out the window! Now I’m able to use and enjoy it. Thanks."
"I have learned a lot. I am not as afraid of computers as I was."
"I learned how to set up an email address and I used that address to register for a local college."
"These type of classes are vital to those of us who have no clue as to anything computer based. Someone who is knowledgeable yet “patient” is very very helpful."
From those learning new skills (esp. job-related skills)
Last week I spent some time in Philadelphia for the Public Library Association (PLA) conference. While I was there, I got to meet some of the staff at the Free Library of Philadelphia and learn more about their Free Library Hot Spots.
Hot Spots are public computer centers that are located at community organizations in neighborhoods that are more than one mile from a library location. These centers provide computer and Internet access, basic instruction, job seeker assistance, and after school programs for children. The library manages the sites, which are run by a combination of staff and volunteers.
I got a chance to visit three of the Free Library Hot Spots, and hear some stories about how these centers are impacting the community. In the past year, they have had over 19,000 visits at 6 locations. At one location, people who were using the computers to look for jobs began to help each other out, and now meet regularly as a job seeker support group. In another location, an individual learned how to send his first email so he could propose to his girlfriend - a very special and unique reason to learn how to use a computer!
How does the programming you’re doing in your Public Computer Center compare to others? What are some suggestions on how best to engage decision makers in your work? How should you think about staffing your PCC? We spent some time at Beyond BTOP sharing our experiences, but what are the best practices in the field? Sarah Washburn, from 
Last week I spent some time in Philadelphia for the Public Library Association (PLA) conference. While I was there, I got to meet some of the staff at the Free Library of Philadelphia and learn more about their 