Innovative library services “in the wild”Released: January 2. Innovative library services “in the wild” By Kathryn Zickuhr. Our new report takes a close look not only at how Americans are using public libraries, but also what sort of services and programming they think libraries should offer — and what they say they would use in the future. The World Digital Library provides free access to manuscripts, rare books, maps, photographs, and other important cultural documents from all countries and cultures. Reference Libraries Digital. CDL also builds collections and provides public access to cultural heritage materials though a variety of innovative programs. For this last point, we asked about a range of potential offerings, including online “ask a librarian”- type research service, mobile library apps, library kiosks in the community, and pre- loaded e- readers available for checkout. A breakdown of these ideas’ overall popularity is included below; more information is included in the report, and tables with demographic breakdowns for each item can be found in the appendix. But we also wanted to include illustrations of some of these more innovative services, to see what they look like on the ground. To that end, we’ve collected examples of many of the types of services mentioned in the report, as well as some “fun and funky” services that we’ve seen pop up at libraries across the county. We’ll keep updating the list with new examples as we hear about them. Does your library have a neat service we should know about? Send us an email and let us know! And many thanks to everyone who has sent in examples so far. Examples of services discussed in the report. Technology “Petting Zoo”The Kent Free Library in Ohio “has hosted . In the library’s meeting room, 1. Digital Media Lab. The Skokie Public Library in Illinois “offers a digital media lab, a space with content creation tools that allow patrons to create and share video, music, photography, and design projects. Customers have access to computers with editing software, cameras, camcorders, microphones, and musical keyboards. Additionally, the Skokie media lab has a green screen wall for video projects.”Technology help. According to the American Library Association, 3. U. S. Covington Memorial Library in Mississippi offers “One- On- One Basic Computer Training For Visually Impaired (& Sighted) Individuals.”“Redbox”- style library kiosks and outreach services“In 2. Contra Costa County Library . The machines hold up to 4. The book dispensaries at available 2. ATM machines with a swipe of a library card to dispense books. Users can have up to three books checked out at a time and return the books to the Library- a- Go- Go machines.” According to the library, “The automated library vending machines have been successful in expanding a library’s presence into areas where they could not traditionally reach.”The Carson City Library Branch. Anywhere in Nevada “provides patrons at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada with access to current library materials, digital tools and librarian- educator programming. The secure automated library machine stores 2. Circulating items include hand- held electronic devises, DVDs, books, games and puzzles.” (Video)The Free Library of Philadelphia has library “Hot Spots” that “bring computer access, classes, and the internet to neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Hot spots can be found in Philadelphia churches, schools and non- profit organizations. Each Hot Spot includes computers, a printer, and all necessary broadband equipment, as well as a reference collection of Free Library materials.”Mobile Apps and Websites. The. Goethe- Institut New York Library’s Mobile Augmented Reality App“allows learners to explore German cultural heritage in New York City using archival documents, photographs, and multimedia narratives to bring to life United States history. Using this technology, users are able to hold up their mobile phones and see archival photos layered on top of the images visible through the camera’s phone. In 2. 01. 2, the American Library Association recognized the library for offering cutting- edge technologies in library services.”The. Cuyahoga County Public Libraryof Parma, Ohio “created CCPL Mobile, an exciting new mobile app that enhances the library patron experience by giving patrons access to the unprecedented convenience of checking out items using their smart phones. The free CCPL Mobile smartphone app features a Digital Books & Media channel that makes finding and downloading e- books and e- audiobooks from the library’s collection. In addition to using the app to renew and reserve items, patrons can also use the tool to find library branches and hours of operation. The library frequently hosts . Codes on signs at the information desk open up a text message to a text- a- librarian number; staff respond to the texts within 1. Usage of the library’s mobile website is up 1. To overcome many people’s unfamiliarity with QR code technology, library staff created an online guide to . Additionally, the school provides i. Pads for all faculty, as well as for students in grades 7- 1. The mobile initiative aims to foster an understanding of how digital learning tools can enhance secondary student information literacy experiences.”Customized reading recommendations. The. Scottsdale Public Library in Arizona’s “Gimme Engine” mobile website “helps customers find a great book to read based on a library staffer’s recommendation and review. Gimme combines library catalog MARC data, content enrichment service images and descriptions, and library staff book reviews on Goodreads. Gimme, which was developed with monies received from an LSTA grant, was created to meet a need stated by both library and non- library users; they wanted book recommendations powered by library staff. The Gimme engine is a creative solution to meet these customer needs.”Online research assistance. According to the American Library Association, 7. U. S. The service is one of the busiest of its kind in the United States. Ohio residents can log on from 7 a. The librarian will share expertise and provide high- quality, authoritative web sites and online database resources via web addresses within the chat.”The New York Public Library’s “ask a librarian” texting service, “Ask NYPL,” “is a virtual reference service of the New York Public Library that allows patrons to submit research questions to trained information specialists via phone, chat, email, and text. Every day, except Sundays and holidays, anyone, of any age, from anywhere in the world can reach the library via various methods, including by phone, text message, and online chat.”Libraries as incubators and creation spaces. The Library as Incubator Project“highlights the ways that libraries and artists can work together, and works to strengthen these partnerships. At a time in which both libraries and arts organizations are often having to do more with less, it makes sense for these two parts of our culture to support each other. The Library as Incubator Project calls attention to one of the many reasons libraries are important to our communities and our culture, and provides a dynamic online forum for sharing ideas.”(More about Content Creation, Media Labs, and Hackerspaces)Coordination with schools and literacy efforts. Several libraries and schools have programs where children read to dogs, such as the Fairfax Community Library’s “Read To A Dog” Program and the therapy dogs at the Princeton Public Library. All the items come with carrying cases, tuners, and how- to guides, and a practice amplifier for the electric guitar. The items circulate for 2. Website: http: //www. Library. Farm – Northern Onondaga (N. Y.) Public Library“The Library. Farm is an organic community garden on one- half acre of land owned by Northern Onondaga Public Library in Cicero, NY. Its purpose is to teach and learn . As part of the program, local astronomy clubs, who serve as the caretakers for the telescopes, host sky gazing parties, sidewalk events and other programs at libraries on how to use the telescope and how to look at the night sky.”And some more “Unusual Stuff to Borrow” at the Ann Arbor District Library system in Michigan: Art Prints. Bi- Folkal Kits: “Older adults carry a rich history with them. Bi- Folkal Kits provide activity ideas and materials that allow older adults to reminisce and create connections with others. These kits, which can be checked out for two weeks at a time, focus on several different themes and can be adapted to inter- generational settings, religious groups, scouts, or schools.”Book Clubs to Go. Brain Quest and Fandex Family Field Guides. Energy Meters for the home. Museum Adventure Pass. Music Tools. Park & Read Pass. Science to Go kit. Stories to Go: “Inside each is a collection of picture books, CDs or DVDs, and a resource folder of games and activities for young children all related to a theme.”Telescopes. For more “cutting edge services,” see: http: //www. Other services. Health and Government Assistance. In Florida, “the Orange County Library System developed . The library nurse listens to the worries of the elderly, the unemployed and the homeless who turn to libraries for help and safety, and directs them to social services when appropriate.” (pdf)“The San Francisco Public Library helps patrons prepare for the USCIS naturalization interview by offering guides to naturalization, detailed practice materials for the new citizenship exam, and a list of local organizations that can help you with the naturalization process.“ (link)The Judge Armstrong Library in Mississippi offers free tax preparation For seniors. In Kansas, “the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library has been circulating magnifiers (hand- held, stand, illuminated, held like a cap on the head) for more than 3. The library also has large type telephones; a machine that can enlarge newspaper print to 4 inches; memory kits for those with Alzheimers; and activity kits and games for Activity Directors, including a Karaoke Machine. The library also has a blood pressure machine, a scale, and portable exercise equipment (such as exercise balls) for checkout. The graduate programs involved in this first phase are the Doctorate of Education (Ed. D) and the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min). Archives and Special Collections Many of the artifacts of Bethel culture and heritage are physically located in the Archives and Special Collections at the History Center and Seminary Libraries or in Art Department Galleries. If you would like to consult with us about developing a new collection contact us at digital- library@bethel. To convert a single or small group of items consult Bethel’s offices of Print Services (copies of texts) or Teaching and Learning Technology (video and audio conversion). Metadata Consultation. The information or data “about” your digital files is called metadata. Metadata is attached to digital files for description and organization in order to better find and use them later. A well- considered metadata plan will help you better find and manage your data and information. Preservation. Items in the Digital Library are stored permanently and are backed up to protect them from degradation and loss. New Collection Suggestions? If you have an idea or suggestion for a new collection that you would like to develop or share or would like to consult with us about one of your own collections, please contact us at digital- library@bethel.
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January 2017
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