Powerful connections

Posted on December 15th, 2006 by Brenda

More and more people are bringing their own personal laptop to the library. They are using the wireless Internet and appreciating the ability to use the space to work, study, and play. Mickey shared this recent post from the Ubiquitous Librarian’s blog with me; the article includes one librarian’s observations about how the need to find a place to plug in a laptop actually brings people together.

In many ways, technology is making it less necessary to visit the library. BUT we’re realizing that we have new roles for our space that are just as important as the old. Many libraries (small and large) are thinking about the best ways to facilitate the connection and communication users want. Here are some resources that might help you think in innovative ways about making the most of the space you have:

• WebJunction’s Focus on Space Planning
• South Jersey’s Trading Spaces
• Chris Rippel’s article What Libraries can Learn from Bookstores

I think we’re familiar with library space challenges, especially regarding technology and public access computing. I would love to hear your thoughts about what works well. Have you been in a library that really does a great job of creating a space that is accomodating and tech friendly (I know policies are important and staff attitudes, etc, but I’m specifically interested in examples of layout and space planning which work well)?

Meebo loves librarians, too!

Posted on December 12th, 2006 by Brenda

A few days ago, I wrote about my love for Meebo. I also quoted the Meebo blog. Today, I was excited to see, the Meebo blog was all about loving librarians!

“librarian love
elaine posted this on December 12, 2006

When we initially launched meebo, we crossed our fingers, gave our two little servers some encouraging pats, and sent out those first emails to friends and family. Words of encouragement started trickling in from students, office workers, soldiers, and travelers. One of our most loyal user groups was completely unexpected… librarians.

Turns out that locked-down computers, reference librarians who always want to be in touch with their patrons, and the desire to make libraries fun and friendly have given meebo and meebo me the perfect opportunity to shine.

Just recently, we smiled when reading Jessamyn’s blog where she helped a librarian post these posters advocating the use of meebo instead of download clients. Also, Aaron has been traipsing around libraries promoting meebo me as well. He explains, meebo me doesn’t require a download and the widget can be placed directly on the library’s website.

Thanks for keeping meebo in mind when you’re visiting your local library and public computer clusters. We’re happy to help out!

Take Care,
- Elaine”

But what will I do with the old one?

Posted on December 6th, 2006 by Liz

We get a lot of questions on what libraries should do with old, retired computers. If you’re not going to re-use the machine for something else (a children’s computer, OPAC station, quick e-mail station, open source server, etc.) then it might be a good idea to recycle that resource.
I found the following list of businesses that accept computers for recycling. Some of them may charge a small fee to recycle the computer/monitor for you, but it will be worth it to not have all of that plastic, chemicals, and precious metal go into the lanfill.

It’s just something to keep in mind.

Northeast Kansas Computer Recycling Centers

The Power of a Picture

Posted on December 5th, 2006 by Brenda

What is it about pictures that makes things so much more appealing? The cliche is that a picture is worth a thousand words and I think that just might be true. The Kansas Libraries on the Web project uses WordPress software to help libraries create an attractive and up-to-date web presence. One of the most popular features is the ability to link to the library’s Flickr account to share photos (see Hiawatha’s page for example or Tonganoxie’s). We have a NEKLS Flickr account. Many of our member libraries have Flickr accounts, too. Josh Neff has created a Flickr group for Kansas Libraries. In our text-loving library world, it seems that there is a lot of photo innovation happening.

Another really cool photo project is happening in conjunction with KLA Legislative Day 2007. The theme is “The World Is Yours @ the Library”. Photographs are being gathered from as many libraries in Kansas as possible. Photos of the library in the home town of each legislator will be put in a frame and distributed to that legislator along with an invitation to the KLA Legislative Day Luncheon. All of the library photos will be displayed on KLA Legislative Day on a large map of Kansas so legislators at the luncheon can see and sign the photos of “their” libraries in each legislative district. This will be a huge map in front of the State Library. It is also planned that Governor Sebelius will be invited to accept a poster of the map with all photos of Kansas libraries (contact Rosanne at KLA if you would like more details). I think this is such a great idea and predict that it’s going to have a lot of impact — more impact than a spreadsheet of usage statistics or statements about needs.

So… what is it about photos? What innovative photo-type things are you doing in your library? Do you have a digital photo archive documenting your library’s events? Do you have a digital camera to use at library events (or even at events outside of the library)? What are the possibilities?

I heart Meebo

Posted on December 4th, 2006 by Brenda

About ten years go, a lot of libraries prohibited emailing from public access computers. I think that rule was in place for two reasons… 1. Web-based tools like Hotmail or Yahoo Mail (which don’t require software to be installed on the computer) were not as well-known (and libraries, justifiably, did not want patron emails to come from a library account). 2. Libraries had different ideas about how library computers should be used (school reports, resume writing, “real” research). Now I think we know that communication is an important use of computers and it’s definitely one of THE most popular uses of library computers. I am not aware of a single library that continues to prohibit patron access to email.

I do still see some libraries prohibiting the use of instant messaging (IM). One of the reasons libraries have prohibited it is because of the need to install the Instant Messaging client on each public access computer. That, however, is no longer required. There are web-based tools that allow you to use IM without having to install software. My personal favorite is Meebo. It allows users to access their AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ or Jabber accounts, without needing to install any software. And it’s free! (Liz and Mickey have both mentioned Meebo here on the blog before.)

When you access Meebo, you will frequently see interesting notes from the developers. Today, for example, Elaine from Meebo posted some statistics they have gathered about text customization. 75% of users just use the default black font when are chatting. If people do change the color of the text, however, what do you think is the most popular choice? Hot pink!