This document discusses the planning, implementation, and management of digital media labs (DMLs) in libraries. It provides examples of the types of activities that can be offered in a DML, such as audio recording, coding, graphic design, and video production. The document also addresses funding options for DMLs, necessary equipment, staffing considerations, policies, programming, marketing strategies, and lessons learned from the creation of successful DMLs.
How to Add a many2many Relational Field in Odoo 17
Goodman: Digital Media Labs Workshop
1. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
From Concept to Funding to Management
DIGITAL MEDIA LABS
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2. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Amanda L. Goodman
User Experience Librarian at Darien Library in CT
Amanda@godaisies.com
@godaisies
amandagoodman.com or libux.com
This webinar is adapted from
Library Technology Report: Digital Media Labs in Libraries
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12. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Which type of library do you work at?
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13. "Digital media labs were the least popular potential service
that we asked [librarians] about;
[…] they also foresaw issues such as the high costs of
technological resources, a lack of staff time or expertise,
and a lack of interest in their communities."
Pew Internet, Library Services in the Digital Age http://pewrsr.ch/1yeeOwS
Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies 13/53
14. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Pew Internet, Library Services in the Digital Age http://pewrsr.ch/1yeeOwS
65%
Urban Suburban
57% 48%
Rural
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15. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Pew Internet, Library Services in the Digital Age http://pewrsr.ch/1yeeOwS
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
18%
45%
44%
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16. 1 in 6 libraries have a makerspace
Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
iPAC, 2013 Digital Inclusion Survey http://bit.ly/1BQVZ4t
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17. iPAC, 2013 Digital Inclusion Survey http://bit.ly/1BQVZ4t
1 in 4 city/suburban libraries1 in 10 town/rural libraries
Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
10% 25%
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21. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
TOUCH, Vancouver Public Library Fundraiser
http://bit.ly/1zHIhkQ
Crowdsourcing: Plan G, Kickstarter, GoFundMe
http://bit.ly/15zJfCJ
Mini Golf at Lenox Public Library
http://www.newlenoxlibrary.org/node/95
Reverse Auction at Darien Library
http://www.darienlibrary.org/dml
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22. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
MacArthur Foundation
http://bit.ly/1BZezJ5
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
http://bit.ly/1GQ5N2V
National Endowment for the Humanities
http://newmedialab.cuny.edu/
Ladd & Katherine Hancher Library Foundation
http://www.hancherlibraryfoundation.org/
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36. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Minimum age of 14 (or with an adult)
No food or drink
Patron is responsible for any and all damages to the equipment
Assistance is available with advance notice
Room reservations for a minimum of 2 hours
Save your project to your own hard drive/flash drive
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38. Learn to Code & Photo Manipulation
http://bit.ly/1uMSyey
Do, Make, Learn at Homewood Public Library
http://bit.ly/1wwedBt
Recording, Mixing, and Mastering with Logic Pro X
http://bit.ly/1JI1tio
Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Geneseo Insomnia Film Festival
http://bit.ly/1uMSyey
PROGRAMMING
Photo courtesy of Alex Hoffman of Arlington Heights Memorial Library
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39. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
The Bubbler + WYOU TV Station
http://bit.ly/1K6Okjj
Library + College + Local TV Station + Film School
http://bit.ly/1ySCPui
Aurora History Museum + Aurora Public Library
http://bit.ly/1tdrIuI
Hive Pop-Up Media Lab
http://bit.ly/1utFRzt
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40. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Social Media
Press Conference
Video Introduction
https://www.facebook.com/KCDML
Westport Library in Connecticut
http://bit.ly/15ALjds
QA Testers Wanted
http://bit.ly/15IrCRG
https://vimeo.com/53440355
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41. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Where in the planning process is your library
in building a DML?
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42. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Get Macs and PCs
Check out cameras, tripods, and mics if you can
Setup multiple workstations
Have solo and group computers/work areas
Hire student workers to help out
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43. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Look for funding from grants, foundations, and fundraisers
Get a Mac
Provide headphones
The DML should be in an enclosed space with a window
Try to build community partnerships to champion the DML (AKA $$$)
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44. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Buy durable furniture
Look for funding from grants, foundations, and fundraisers
Try to build community partnerships to champion the DML (AKA $$$)
You will probably be the only tech support person
Look for enthusiastic students to help out if the school allows
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47. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Sought advice from other libraries
Kept a massive spreadsheet
Spent hours agonizing over window tinting
A mad rush to spend the cash!
Last minute run to Home Depot
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52. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Cintiq Tablet: http://bit.ly/1yegwtw
Headphones: http://bit.ly/1ye3egL
Children’s Librarians in the DML at Darien Library courtesy of Kiera Parrott, Amy Laughter, Elisabeth
Marrocolla, and Krishna Grady
Green Screen + Lights: http://www.briteklighting.com/cool-fluorescent-lights.html
3D Printers: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/3d-printer-buyers-guide,news-17651.html
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53. Amanda L. Goodman @godaisies
Got questions or want a sample
inventory spreadsheet? Email me!
agoodman@darienlibrary.org
@godaisies
amandagoodman.com or libux.com
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Notas del editor
Disclaimer: I am not promoting any particular type of hardware or software.
Provides equipment for digital recording or capturing
Offers the ability to transfer analog media to digital
Presents digital literacy programming
Why I include 3D printers in DMLs….
In the DML Report, I break DMLs into portable (such as what you see in these slides from Jonathan Gaskill, the Library Director of Fulton County Public Library’s Mobile DML), small, medium, and large. The size refers to how many people can use the DML.
This Mobile DML is brought to various locations around Fulton County, Indiana in that red cooler. It holds 8 laptops, 19 tablets, a microphone, a camera, and more.
Usually involves physical stuff like power tools, laser cutters, sewing machines, etc. This photo is from the makerspace in the Children’s Library at my workplace. In the back corner under that yellow box is a 3D printer.
VHS to DVD, Hi8 to DVD, Cassette to MP3, Records to MP3 Slides/Negatives/Flat Objects to digital
Editing photos, designing posters, animation at some DML like the Madison Bubbler
Green screen, interviews, music videos, image alteration (American Girls)
For 2D and 3D Printing --- controversial?
Academic
Corporate
Public
School
Special (e.g. museum)
Other
Note this says makerspace, but it gives you an idea of how people feel about these non-traditional spaces.
Corporations and people not part of your community. Costco, private digitization businesses, places where you ship your photos off to
Digital literacy in the 21st century skills, we provide context, educational opportunities/enrichment, save people money. People share their memories
To provide fresh content, these grants and opportunities differ from the ones in the DML Report.
“That’s about the change with TOUCH, an event Oct. 4 that will combine interactive innovation and entertainment, giving attendees an idea of what they can expect in 2014 when the library opens its new Inspiration Lab — a space where people will be able to tell stories, edit videos, record sound and find all the digital resources they need to transform their creative ideas into reality and collaborate with others.
Touch will be a lesson in libraries 3.0, and it’s the kickoff for a $250,000 fundraising campaign that will see 3,000 square feet on the central library’s third floor in downtown Vancouver transformed.”
Crowdsourcing for the Dowdell Library in South Amboy, NJ tried to raise money for a 3D printer
Mini Golf charged $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Also had sponsors. We had a mini golf fundraiser in November and had over 600 participants!
My library raised money in one night at a reverse auction. My spouse’s library raised the money in a week through special outreach to their donors.
In short: there are lots of groups out there that are willing to fund libraries. The way I found these guys was by checking other DML websites. Many of them are funded through special grants or events, so you can get ideas from others.
MacArthur helped fund YOUmedia, a teen-centric learning lab at Chicago Public Library
Texas awarded $74k to the North Richland Hills Library
Hancher provides grants between 2k to 40k for public libraries serving less than 50k. Awarded $30k to Benbrook Library in Texas
Others:
Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund
R. K. Mellon Grant
Look for endowments
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) provides federal funding to libraries. Grants are for the United States and its territories. Each state or territory submits a five-year plan to the Institute of Museum and Library Services to ask for LSTA funding. Each state sets its own priorities and categories libraries can apply to.
These links represent the Prescott Valley Public Library in Arizona which was awarded $30k, Urbandale Public Library in Iowa $1500, and Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts was awarded $15k
I was a LSTA grant reviewer this past fall. While each application must be judged solely based upon its own merit without comparing it to other applications, it was clear to see who were experienced grant writers. The experienced writers explicitly detailed every single requirement in their proposal. No throwaway detail was ignored in the seasoned writers' proposals.
I used Google Spreadsheet to keep track of everything I wanted to purchase. The sheet includes details about quantities, will the item need to be replaced on a frequent basis (AKA light bulbs), where to buy the items, if they had arrived, etc. If you’d like a template of this spreadsheet, contact me. My details are on the final slide.
Things I won’t go into depth here, but remember to buy durable furniture, check the airflow of the space, try to accommodate people with disabilities, etc.
That computer tower represents the monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.
There are three options for green screens: portable, the one you see above, or a painted wall. My library opted for a painted wall as the cheapest option. The can of paint was around $50 and required 3 coats.
For each of the nice-to-haves, there is a professional version as well.
Not seen here:
Convertors are very popular at my library.
Soundproofing foam. If you can’t afford to soundproof the place, you can buy some pieces of acoustic foam to mount to the walls. It really helped our room which had an echo before the foam was added.
Daniel Messer, http://bit.ly/1zdJX2O, borrowed a Cintiq from his library, the Maricopa County Library District. Got questions? Email carisomalley@mcldaz.org or danielmesser@mcldaz.org
Lightworks Free has very limited export options
Lightworks Free has very limited export options
Four options:
Hire for talent
Train your existing staff
Recruit volunteers
Pay experts to come in for special programs/needs – depends on how much space you have for the workshops. We have only the room you see in the slide, so it’s not something we do.
No lie – staffing a DML is hard. You have to have people who are passionate or at least interested in technology. Patrons come in and are often entrusting their irreplaceable memories to your library’s DML for conversion to digital formats. Aside from having the tech skills to assist whether to just set someone up or walk a patron through their project, your staff needs to have the emotional capability to listen to stories from patrons. I find this to be the most rewarding part of my job – I’ve heard some fascinating stories about the Vietnam war, the last Girl Scout Roundup conference in the 1960s, to a man becoming emotional while digitizing a video full of people who had passed away years ago. It’s a sensitive job and people don’t seem able to help themselves from sharing their life stories.
Btw, this photo was of our children’s librarians recording a song to go with their lullaby DVD which we give to new parents.
Two types: Library-created and outside resources
On the left and center, you can see the cover and a sample tutorial I created. I tried to recruit assistance in creating the tutorials, but I met enough resistance that it was faster for me to just make all of them myself. The tutorials are spiral-bound so we can add to it. It stays in the DML. I write really long-winded tutorials because I hate it when a tutorial makes assumptions and skips steps.
Then on the right are three online resources that I recommend for staff and patron training. The tutorial book pages often have links to specific videos on Lynda or YouTube and Safari books. I also promote the physical tech book collection to patrons who use the DML. Often while helping set up a patron in the DML, I’ll run upstairs to bring them relevant books.
This starter kit is based upon reading dozens of library policies. Some allow kids as young as 12 to work alone in the space.
Most libraries require the patron to sign a form agreeing to be responsible for the equipment and to not hold the library liable for any damages that may happen to their tapes when being converted to digital.
The other consideration is whether you’ll allow commercial use of the space. My library doesn’t care as long as you’re not hogging up all the time slots. The University of Texas at Austin explicitly states that the DML is for educational purposes only in their FAQ: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/media-labs/faq
Another is whether you’ll allow non-digital media activities in your DML. We don’t and therefore do not have any word processing program installed on the DML’s Mac to avoid the temptation. We have also kicked people out who were just playing video games.
The Ela Area Public Library requires that you leave your photo ID with a staff member. http://www.eapl.org/sites/default/files/policies/2.14DigitalMediaLabs.pdf
Appleton Public Library is a DIY only lab. http://www.apl.org/lab/rules
So far I’ve only noticed copyright concerns on two library websites: The University of Texas at Austin (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/media-labs/faq) and Appleton Public Library (http://www.apl.org/lab/rules).
In short they say that you’re responsible for obeying copyright.
Innisfil Public Library in Canada has a TON of programming going on in their DML space. They also have a hacker lab for 3D printing, a thermal printing calculator, and a laser cutter.
Arlington Heights Memorial Library has one of the largest DMLs in the country with multiple rooms. Aside from this audio class, they’ll soon be offering a three session class on how to recolor black and white photos.
“Each month the DML will feature a project that will help you learn a new skill. You can reserve the DML at a time that works for you, and instructions for that month's project and any related materials you'll need will be found in the Lab. ” You can also reserve time for help on the project.
The film festival is promoted by the DML at the Milne Library at Geneseo, The State University of New York. This film festival is one of those 24 hour competitions where you only have a day to script, film, and edit your film.
In 2013, WYOU, a local public access TV station began a partnership with Madison Public Library’s DML, The Bubbler. In this agreement, the TV station moved into the Library’s media lab and in turn, the WYOU staff would help teach patrons about TV production.
Aurora in Colorado is encouraging patrons to scan historic photos and documents to share with the museum’s archives.
Prescott Valley Public Library in Arizona is the one that received the $30k grant from the state. From the article “The library's original "Virtual Reality Room" will be modified to host these individual or group projects which are expected to run September 2013 through June 2014. These projects will be conducted in partnership with Yavapai College-Thatcher Bohrman, the town's cable TV Channel 15 and the Sedona Film School. ”
Hive Pop-Up was done in 2012 as a partnership between the San Francisco Public Library, The Bay Area Video Coalation, California Academy of Science, and the KQED radio station. Other educational partners were Children’s Creativity Museum, TILT, Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center, World Savvy, WritersCorps and more. “The two-day event will provide local youth the opportunity to engage in digital learning and interactive education ” Their ultimate goal was to set up a more permanent DML
So to toot my own horn here, my library won an award for our take on Psy’s Gangnam Style video. It netted us tons of positive press and so we took home the state library award that year in the the library publicity category. The real gem though is that the video used the green screen in the DML and that was shown in the video. We had lots of interested parties come in to use the green screen. That included teens with their own Minecraft YouTube show and entreprenuerus wanting to promote their business.
Kansas City DML has its own Facebook page. They also work with the local news station to advertise events.
Westport Library held a press conference with livestreaming video of the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Video introduction of the DML has been done at a few libraries. This video links to the one from Hamilton Public Library in Canada.
Naperville Public Library in Illinois had a clever method – they put out a call for quality assurance testers to make sure the equipment worked. You may catch the attention of experts who could become valuable resources for the library, so this is a win-win-win all the way around.
We already have a DML
Just thinking about it
Fundraising
Purchasing equipment
Training staff
This project of mine is specifically geared towards mapping every library in the world that offers a 3D printer to its patrons. However, there is another use – most of those libraries have a makerspace or 3D printer. So if you’re wanting to find a DML near you, try this map. Just click on one of the pins for more details.
Phone calls to NC State University,
Skokie Public Library, and Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library