6. Libraries Lead People to the Future!
• “The illiterate of the 21st
Century will not be
those who cannot read or write, but those
who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
Alvin Toffler
• The problem is this: Almost every person I
have taught feels like this at some point
(some more than others)!
• Are we all, then, “illiterate”?
• NO
• NO
• NO
Library as Place
American sociologist Harvey Sacks said regarding
new technologies, each new one gives us “the
occasion for seeing again what we can see
anywhere.” Author Tom Chatfield says, “We need
to treat novelty not as an end, but as an
opportunity to re-scrutinize ourselves.”
7. Boren, Z. (2014). There are officially more mobile devices than people in the world. Retrieved from The Independent Web Site: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/there-
are-officially-more-mobile-devices-than-people-in-the-world-9780518.html
Chatfield, T. (2012). The Truth About Technology’s Greatest Myth. Retrieved from BBC Web Site: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140110-technologys-greatest-myth
Forbes. (2015). Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2105. Retrieved from Forbes Web Site: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/fgjd45eldm/1-computing-everywhere-2/.
Mr. Chatfield states, “Today’s phones are more powerful than yesterday’s supercomputers. Today’s software is better
than us at everything from chess to quiz shows.”
For the first time ever there are more gadgets in the world than there are
people, including a growing number that only communicate with other
machines, according to data from digital analysts at GSMA (Group Speciale
Mobile Association) Intelligence. The number of active mobile devices and
human beings crossed over somewhere around the 7.19 billion mark. (7.45
billion in 2015).
1. Computing Everywhere
2. The Internet of Things (IoT)
3. 3D Printing
4. Advanced, Pervasive,
Invisible Analytics
5. Context-Rich Systems
6. Smart Machines
7. Cloud/Client Architecture
8. Software-Defined Infrastructure and
Applications
9. Web-Scale IT
10. Risk-Based Security and Self-Protection
Forbes Magazine talks about top trends going into 2016:
8. Digital Divide is Real:
No such thing as “Digital Natives”
• Borrowing from Ms. Jessamyn West’s (@jessamyn)
slides at CLA 2015 (Connecticut Library Association):
• Libraries are great at providing computer and Internet
access to our patrons! (about 97% have free access from
their local libraries)
• It’s much harder to quantify “How do I use what I have?”
• “We’ve been doing a lot of explaining…” say librarians
everywhere….
• The digital divide contains multitudes – EVERYONE must
learn and relearn devices as they change and upgrade
• We have to be online now, or at least know someone who
can get online for information, forms, etc.
West, J. (2015). CLA Conference slides. Retrieved from: http://www.librarian.net/talks/cla15/.
Coneheads Photo: SNL www.nydailynews.com.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. This was in 2014. As of
2015, we are at 98% for
this optional question.
This is a Word Cloud based on the BTOP Web Site as it was envisioned for the grant around about 2010. There’s a focus on communities, Nioga, and BTOP, as we were marketing more extensively and trying to get the program up and running. The Nioga Library System had never had a program like this, where an experienced librarian who is a tech trainer would travel from library to library and teach patrons. It was a bit of a struggle to get libraries to book me and the computers, and we did a lot of talking, making flyers, sending emails, and trying outreach events like the Orleans County Fair. After about 2 months, the requests for classes came pouring in!
Here is a Word Cloud based on 2015 feedback and what we cover in classes taught. Suddenly things like mobile, Windows, Android, and Apple pop out, along with Nioga and libraries. The shift has been tremendous over the past three years, with the “mobile-geddon” happening: mobile devices are far and away the most sought-after questions/answers. Our Gadgets class helps to bridge the gap between what people have and what they can DO with it. For example, in 2011, I taught about 50 people in 18 classes. In 2015, I have taught over 220 people in 38 classes. Libraries have shifted from “just” providing computer and/or Internet access to TEACHING the “how to use” aspect. This shift cannot be overstated. Even now, the game continues to change. I saw my first Project Fi mobile phone in January. It’s from Google, and it looks to be a game-changer in how mobile service will be provided.
To assist our member libraries with this shift from access to instruction, the BTOP Express Mobile Training Lab was conceived. Patrons come to their “own” neighborhood libraries and learn in a familiar and comfortable environment. Librarians are relieved of the pressure to know EVERY PICKY THING about new technologies coming out, and have a ready resource to assist patrons. Libraries book and then advertise classes, and patrons sign up. I come out with our truck and laptops and teach! Library patrons are my “external customers,” with our member libraries being our “internal customers.” It’s important, from the System perspective, to assist both.
We also strive to help our librarians understand and use technology, too! Our member libraries are my “internal customers.” Keeping up with tech is a huge task, and I hope that the BTOP program from Nioga makes it a little easier for our staff members. They have said as much to me, and classes are generally booked up to 5 MONTHS in advance. We are also providing continuing education through the System, so librarians can attend class and get credit for it.
Of course, it would be great to expand! Currently, I serve our 22 member and branch libraries, as well as Workforce Centers in Orleans and Genesee Counties. Between all these places, I keep very busy! Classes are in almost constant churn, as I try to keep them not only up-to-date, but cover fresh or different material as well. We have an expanding Twitter presence, and anyone is welcome to follow @NiogaLib. It’s a fascinating place, and I learn something new almost every time I log on. I especially enjoy #libchat and #edchat. If you follow accounts or hashtags on Twitter, please feel free to share in the comments section!
This slide is pretty self-explanatory. I like the quote from Mr. Toffler, but the BIG problem is that almost everyone feels this way! It gets ridiculous FAST. Also, when teaching adults, especially anyone under stress (like younger adults looking for work) or teaching seniors, the “illiterate” feeling takes on a whole new dimension. We are all in this together! The role of libraries as “place” cannot be overstressed. We are a place for fun, learning, books, technology, making, and more. Libraries are a true egalitarian place unlike any other. It doesn’t matter what age, race, religion, or anything else. We really are in this together and can help each other. Here’s a link to an excellent article about the library as “place” throughout our history. http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/161189
These are interesting stats that point us towards the future trend in libraries: busting the myth of the digital native. Have you all heard of this gnome/woodland fairy creature? Supposedly, in some MAGICAL place, people just know what to do with technology! It’s perfect! It’s intuitive! Therefore, it must be me that’s the problem! (See previous slide on teaching adults). Forbes talks about trends in technology, including Mobile: 1. Computing Everywhere As smart-phone technology advances, smart-phones will be used in new contexts and environments. Along with wearables, smart-phones will offer connected screens in the workplace and in public. User experience will be key. 2. The Internet of Things (IoT) The Internet of Things is big and it will continue to grow along with user-oriented computing. Prediction: The Internet of Things will be the focus of digital business products and processes in industrial and operational contexts. Expect technology to be embedded everywhere. 3. 3D Printing 3D printing is about to get cheaper, and its market will grow over the next three years. The expansion will be biggest in industrial, biomedical, and consumer applications helping companies reduce costs. 4. Advanced, Pervasive, Invisible Analytics Analytics will continue to grow propelled by the Internet of Things, creating large pools of data. Every app will need to be an analytic app. But big data isn’t the most important thing: instead we’ll need big questions and big answers. 5. Context-Rich Systems Thanks to embedded intelligence and analytics, systems will become alert and responsive to their surroundings. Expect context-aware security as well as other trends. 6. Smart Machines Analytics and context will pave the way for smart machines that can learn for themselves and act accordingly. These machine helpers will continue to evolve. Prediction: The smart machines era will be the most disruptive in the history of IT. 7. Cloud/Client Architecture As mobile computing meets cloud computing, centrally coordinated applications that can be delivered to any device will continue to grow. Apps that can use intelligence and storage effectively will see lower bandwidth costs. Expect to be able to use applications simultaneously on multiple devices. 8. Software-Defined Infrastructure and Applications Software defined networking, storage, data centers and security are maturing. Cloud service software is configurable thanks to rich APIs. Computing will have to move away from static models to deal with the changing demands of digital business. 9. Web-Scale IT More and more companies will begin thinking like Amazon, Google and Facebook. As cloud-optimized and software-defined methods become mainstream, we’ll see a move towards web-scale IT, starting with DevOps. 10. Risk-Based Security and Self-Protection While 100% security solutions aren’t feasible, advanced risk assessment and mitigation will come into play in the next few years. Security will move away from perimeter defense to multi-faceted approaches. Expect security aware application design, dynamic and static application security testing, and runtime application self-protection.
I contacted Ms. Jessamyn West, and she gave me permission to use her talking points. The reference is on the slide – and these points were so good, I felt no need to re-invent the wheel. I teach every week, sometimes up to 5 days in a week. I have been teaching computers for about 15 years now, and I have a 14 and 16 year old kids. If anyone’s going to be a “digital native” it’s them and their friends. Guess what? I still help them. I answer questions pertaining to web sites they use, Internet searches, and even avatar creation on the Xbox (I don’t really understand it, but my 16 year old thought it was great that I found video tutorials on how to create them on the Xbox.) Do I know what they are (I do now). No – but he didn’t necessarily think to use YouTube to find a tutorial. His 40-something year old mom had to tell him. It was quite funny. It’s about understanding what you have and putting people in touch with the mass quantities of information out there. (Sorry for the Coneheads reference!)
We need to be out and about, going where people are right now. So far, we have been successful reaching patrons at our local libraries and workforce development sites. Our population in the three counties is about 316,000. It’s rural and generally poorer than other New York counties. BTOP aims to get as much technology as we can out to where the people go!
This is typical of what we do. This was written in the grant and carried out every day. Our member libraries like the service because it comes to their libraries pre-packaged: Computers, Trainer, Handouts, Evaluations. They just book it!
Again, we fulfill this with each class. A small sampling of student comments: “More classes!” “I very much enjoyed the step by step process of the class. Sarah is very good at what she does. Thank you.” “i had attempted to use this program on my own and was not aware of a lot of the things this program had to offer; so glad I sat in on this class.”
Over 4,700 people have filled out evaluations on the classes since the program’s start in February, 2011. We have had over 7,600 people attend classes (7, 615) (not everyone fills out an evaluation, unfortunately). As of 2013, the estimated population we serve is almost 316,000 (315,938). We are reaching as many as we can.
Of those students who chose to evaluate the effectiveness of the classes, 3,887 people now answer “yes” to recommend the classes. That’s almost 99%. We’re thrilled.
This is typical, but we don’t always plug in all the laptops. We’ve been fortunate that the batteries are still good – they last for a typical 2-and-a-half to 3-hour class period. The most difficult thing is staying on top of all the devices that are available. I have found, generally speaking, people are pretty forgiving as you assist them, and since I’ve been able to conduct 170 “gadgets” classes (for 1,300 people – 1,298), I have seen almost everything out there, including Apple and Android devices, Windows tablets and even phones, and a Project Fi phone, too. It’s very interesting!
We offer multiple classes for all skill levels,19 total: Computer Basic: Get the one that's right for you! Email Start to Finish, Excel Basic: Create Formulas, Excel Intermediate: Complex Formulas and Charts, Facebook Combo, Flash Drives/File Management (The Cloud), Gadgets and Gear (Bring Your Own/Open Access), Gaga for Google: Cut, Copy, Paste!, Internet Basic: Open Up Your World, Internet Resources: Safety, Security, and Fun, Introduction to LinkedIn Job Networking Web Site, Introduction to Twitter: Social and Job Networking, Jobz! Skills for Job Seekers, Mail Merge: Create Labels and Envelopes, Oh My!, Power Point Basic: Create a Presentation, Publisher Basic: Create Cards and More, Windows 8 and IE 10, Word Basic: Cut, Copy, and Paste, Word Intermediate - Templates and Flyers.
This was the one thing that made me nervous – how am I going to drive this thing? Well, it’s not hard to do and has become a popular advertisement for the classes. People see the truck and ask! We have our member library names on the truck, and now we have a lift gate on it as well. It makes moving the computers easier. I have 2 boxes that can both transport and charge the laptops – 16 in all. (You can get the boxes from Case Cruzer online). You can see inside the box and the back of the truck here. They can charge on the inverter that’s installed in the back of the truck.
This was a town Christmas parade. Fun! Also, Outreach! So that people know we’re out here.
We are still operating after the original end date of the grant, which was September, 2012. We have taught a total of 7,877 throughout the three counties, from the start in February 2011 until December, 2015, and we’re still going. We are the only mobile unit in New York State still going!
I have to read a lot on technology and trends, and try to be as informed as possible on things like 3D printing, Oculus Rift, and networked appliances, but also stick with the basics. It’s a great job.
Innovation has been my biggest obstacle: I like to stay in the little ruts I’ve made for myself! This is not good! I’ve gotten help and suggestions from librarians as to what new classes to create (Craig’s List is popular) and I have my first Macintosh computer (not iPad, LOL). Fortunately, the questions are almost endless, so there’s something new in each class. As to your references, contacts, and your reputation, the library community is quite small. Do your best work; put your best foot forward. Be careful on social media and be professional. Have fun, too!
To wrap up: it’s not just about providing technology, it’s about getting people to use it! Keeping our staff and patrons informed and excited about innovations like ebooks, streaming video services, and music services, too!
