Slide 1: Session D305: Tech Freebies and Program Ideas Promoting “2.0 Training” with “Fantastic Freebies” (and other Innovative Programs) Presented by: Janie Hermann Bob Keith Princeton Public Library Princeton, NJ Computers in Libraries 2007 Crystal City, VA
Slide 2: Princeton Public Library • Single-branch municipal library in heart of downtown (very close to Princeton University) • New(ish) state-of-the-art 58,000 square foot building (opened in April 2004) • Staff: 54 FTE; Population: 31,000 • 100+ computers for public use • Fully equipped technology center with lots of software and a “Gadget Garage”
Slide 3: Traditional Tech Training • • • • • • Computer Basics Email Internet Basics Search Engines Online Catalog Word Processing/Spreadsheets etc. You can do more!
Slide 4: Disclaimr • Many libraries lack staff time and money to expand computer classes • Better to rephrase “Computer Classes” as “Technology Training” • Several easy to implement paths to grow a Tech Training program – Low cost in money and staff time – Agile, can teach new tech quickly
Slide 5: Get the word out Position yourself and your staff as “Tech Gurus” • Get involved with local users’ groups • Present for local groups (PTOs, Job Seekers, Service Clubs, Chambers of Commerce) • Develop and/or join Technology Mailing Lists • Create a Technology Training Blog • Sell up at each and every class • Tease with new content
Slide 6: Never Underestimate the Power of Attractive, Professional Full-Color Posters
Slide 10: Bringing them in • Fantastic Freebies – – – – Everyone likes to get something for free Simple to implement Can be presented to large groups as lectures Jumpstart the 2.0 buzz • Listen to suggestions – Give ‘em what they want – Photo editing – Blogs – Tips, advice, etc on how to use computers and Internet better
Slide 11: 2.0 Toolbox
Slide 12: How we locate “Freebies” • PC Magazine – Top 101 Sites – Best Free Software • SEOmoz’s Web 2.0 Awards • Time Magazine’s 50 Coolest Websites • Filehippo (freeware with some shareware) Constantly Scan Tech Blogs, Library Blogs, Tech News Sites and the Popular Media!
Slide 13: Text Editing Freebies • Google Docs • YourDraft • Ajaxwrite
Slide 14: Organization Freebies • Tadalists • Cozi Central • Google Calendar
Slide 15: Productivity Freebies • LogMeIn • CCleaner
Slide 16: Photo and Video Freebies • • • • The GIMP Everystockphoto Flickr OneTrueMedia
Slide 17: Our plans for Future Classes • • • • • • Move from Photoshop to GIMP and Pixer/Picnik Move from Blogger to Wordpress Move from Bloglines to Google Reader Social Bookmarking How to create and host Podcasts YouTube/OneTrueMedia/SplashCast (video editing and hosting online) • Digital Scrapbooking Our classes are always in Constant Beta Keep things fresh and keep innovating!
Slide 18: A few Final Tips • Train staff and patrons together – Creates transparency – Boosts statistics – Saves time and money • Develop rotating classes • Offer classes in series (i.e. mini-courses) – Keeps students engaged – Have students work on a project • Real world application • Sense of accomplishment
Slide 19: Contact Us Janie Hermann jhermann@princetonlibrary.org Robert Keith rkeith@princetonlibrary.org Slides will be posted at Library Garden http://librarygarden.blogspot.com