The Ubiquitous Librarian

Computer Availability Status Map: remixed

This was a nice editorial in the student newspaper about our computer availability map.

Also see: Computer Availability @ the GT Library: a status map

Calendar Hacks

Jay Forrest, one of our Information Associates, built a suite of calendar applications for the reference desk. These apps were all designed in PHP. We use Oracle’s CorpTime product as our internal calendar system - great for scheduling meetings - but it doesn’t offer all the functionality that we need. Here is a sample of Jay's work.

IN/OUT BOARD

The in-out board replaces the old and tired whiteboard. Our staff is scattered throughout the building, so this let’s us know who’s in and who’s out. It’s nice because it provides a global status for everyone.

DESK TODAY

Shows who is on desk—as well as who has whatever other meetings, classes, etc. This can be useful if someone calls in sick and you need a replacement or if you need to find someone to switch hours with later in the week.

CALENDAR

This digital calendar replaces a large print calendar used by staff to indicate planned time off. We have this info on our personal calendars, but it helpful to see who’s going to ALA or who is taking time off in the month of July.

Computer Availability @ the GT Library: a status map

Last week I mentioned the computer availability function on the NCSU Commons website. We launched our version of that yesterday. It looks like this:


Essentially a map displaying which computers are open (or in use.) We have this on a screen that is visible to students waiting in line.

Thanks to Cari Lovins for making this happen.

Via Cari:
Much of the credit for this project goes to Leroy Campbell, who is now working as a Tech Temp for ATS at Technology Square. Additional thanks to Chris Helms and Heather King for help in moving to the Library Web server and configuring for the Commons Web site. And finally, thanks to Kyle Koza and Dustin Shiflett for their assistance in setting up the display in the LWC.

Here is the live version:
http://librarycommons.gatech.edu/cms/

A few thoughts about NCSU’s Website: icons & waitlists

The last two posts have been kind of ranty – so here is something positive.

I really like a subtle change that NCSU made yesterday by adding icons to their Learning Commons page. Earlier in the week I spoke with a web design class and we reviewed 5 websites. (I’ll post more on that later when I get copies of their assignments.) One of the themes that the class mentioned was that instead of just a list of products/services, to add small graphics/icons. An image makes a faster impression than text-- it is also more intuitive and attractive.

I received an email from someone in the class who mentioned that NCSU had added icons the following day and he felt as if his class had something to do with it. I didn’t tell him it was a coincidence because he seemed proud and inspired.

Additionally, we also talked a bit about ideal interactions and functionally of a library website. To use NCSU again, they loved the “availability of computers” feature, but wanted to see that concept embedded throughout the page. For example, on the pages describing the equipment (cameras, calculators, gps, etc) they wanted to know how many were available.

I know that we run into this problem from time to time in which all of our “gadgets” are checked out. This functionality would let students know that 2 cameras are available right now… or if they were all checked out, they wanted an online waitlist feature so that they could place a hold, just as they could with a book.

Most librarians only think of entering the classroom to teach information literacy, but going in as a guest lecturer can lead to real insights.

John Berry sets libraries back 50 years; or Elsevier Editor complains about the profession and tells us how to do our jobs (glad he’s not my boss)

John Berry is so 1950. He'd probably only be happy if we unplugged the computers and brought back the card catalog. Seriously, this dude is so McCain in an Obama-world. He's one of those people who loves to complain, criticize, and toss around monkey-wrenches—without offering any SOLUTIONS. It's time to wake up Mr. Van Winkle-- the revolution has passed you by.

His latest column tries so hard to be relevant, it's just so sad. I can just picture Berry and Gorman sipping tea at ALA conference talking about the glory days of the profession—back when it was noble and respectable.

I have to disagree with him on pretty much everything– in fact, I feel that my library is more humanized now as we have become user-focused / user-driven. I hear over and over again from students saying that the library inspires them and makes them more productive and creative due to the changes we've made… but John Berry doesn't care about that--- he only wants a big dusty book collections and an army of librarians sitting behind a giant reference desk shushing patrons.

Final Thought:
There are those who “teach” and those who “do”--- John Berry is obviously a teacher.

Furthermore:
What it comes down to is that Berry is an elitist, trying to perpetuate the divide between the have/have-nots. This is fitting for someone who hasn’t seen the frontline in probably 30 years. We have many staff without MLS degrees that make significant contributions to our organization everyday. What I really think it comes down to is that Berry has lost touch with the modern patron.

Social–enabled Library Websites? The Post-It Note Concept

I pitched an idea last week that didn’t meet resistance, but didn’t have a big bandwagon either. Here is the gist of the story.

Last year when we did the Exam Cram one of the things that we wished we had was an online message board so that students could form their own study groups, share notes, etc. We compromised with a whiteboard solution.

Presently we have a big push to gather student feedback for a small renovation we’re planning. There are several metrics that we’re using, but I really want to also offer an anonymous forum style message board so that we can ask questions and get feedback about furniture, layout, design, function, etc.

This led me to think about a wider need for social interactions throughout our entire website. NCSU has a nice forum which they embed on their Commons site. I’d like to take it a step further and embed “talk” pages throughout a larger portion of the library site. Here is a conceptual drawing:

Basically you take your mega forum, which works like all other message boards with threaded conversations all on one page—but then also embeds select threads or topics onto appropriate web pages. Students have questions about the equipment we rent out, here is a way they can post questions, get answers, see what others have said, etc. Or what about printing or events or workshops? Everything would be more social and at least there will be an offer of interaction.

Another example: With a recent environmental display in the library, a student used a post-it note to comment about the information on the wall. We took it down, but this type of interaction would be ideal for a message board environment because individuals could have a dialogue about the display materials and it could result in a larger community discussion.

Yeah, I know there are issues with “appropriateness” and “security” and “identity” and “moderation”—that’s all to be worked out over the summer, but I think the concept is worth a shot. Imagine a pile of post it notes neatly arranged in a digital format expressing opinions and feedback relevant to the web page they are viewing… we’ll see what happens.

Second Life Revisited – are we ready to provide classroom support?

I attended an AIMA event this week about Second Life. The presentation, How Virtual Worlds are Impacting Interactive Marketing , featured an all-star panel with reps from major companies. Below are some highlights. Also, some thoughts about the role of the librarian within the virtual world.

InterContinental Hotels Group - Del Ross

• Real world hotel corporation that offers virtual rooms in Second Life. Just as you might have a business meeting in the real world, they can also provide space for virtual meetings.
• Right now it is free, but planning to charge in the future. 100 – 500 Linden dollars, which is a little less than 1 dollar real money.
• They provide rentable space that offers privacy, security, suitable space, and support (audio, video, PPT, etc)
• Online Room Reservation form and tons of other info.
• If you don't own land in SL, no place to meet, conduct business—they are trying to fit that need—their slogan is “the place to meet”
• Informal space, convention space, lounge, executive board room – space can be configured depending upon the need.
• SL showcases their “real” world value—virtual space mirrors the physical spaces that they make available to customers. They are in the business of “business environments” regardless of the location.

Weather Channel - Paul Greenberg

• Major theme of weather channel is to show how weather connects to your life—more than just the science, but also the psychology of how weather has an impact on us.
• Wanted to build a Second Life space that supports TV programming
• Stay. Play. Watch.
  (stay = community areas for shared experiences)
  (play = do stuff, interact)
  (watch = video programming)
• Hurricane environment – witness & experience what a storm is like, virtually
• Sports activities= surfing, biking, skiing – all with variable weather conditions
• Has improved the impression/perception of the Weather Channel
• The numbers are low, compared with TV/Radio/Print/Web—however SL provides an engagement experience that is more valuable and memorable

Turner - Rhonda Lowry

• Rethink spam = Socialization, Participation, and Motivation (SPaM)
• The “real” CNN has iReport, basically citizen reports. They started a Second Life iReport program—basically correspontants reporting on the news that happens in SL. CNN provides them with tools and training (one hour weekly training sessions in-world about taking photos, shooting video, interviewing, writing copy, etc) teach them how to be reporters—they report about SL, CNN provides them with a sense of legitimacy / authenticity -- in return, CNN gets to expand reputation as THE news provider. More info here.  

Kaneva - Chris Klaus

• Kaneva is a virtual world similar to Second Life, however they emphasize being yourself (as opposed to dragons or super models)
• Emerging trend is watching TV online in a virtual world with your friends. They have experimented with the show 10 items or less by having cast join fans in the virtual environment to interact, ask questions, and hang out.
• Also stream behind-the-scenes at tv sets / awards show. Screen Actors Guild Awards had extra cameras, could watch crew setup and take down set—and talk with others online while watching.
• Interior designers can work with clients –use virtual space to model rooms—see what colors and furniture will look life before purchasing.

Coca-Cola - Mike Donnelly

• Before Coke got involved they went to the “leaders” of Second Life—the major blogs, the virtual citizens with power and popular land, etc and talked with them about how Coke might fit in. When entering a new territory or using a new technology, need to listen and learn, don't think you know what they want—ask advice, council, and even permission.
• They didn't want to buy and build up an island. Lots of companies did that and are stuck with empty islands—Coke rented land, but ultimately try to embedded themselves within community (people wear coke clothing)
• Virtual Thirst contest – winner – objective was to design virtual coke machine—however not necessary a literal vending machine—but some type of experience that captures the essence of Coke. Design and build the vending machine of the future (not necessarily about bottles of soda though)
• Once Coke decided that they wanted to participate in Second Life—discovered that the brand already existed—people has used the logo
• Wanted to build on the idea of “quenching” thirst = knowledge, experience, entertainment, communication, inspiration

Second Life, Classroom Instruction, and the Role of the Library

Fittingly enough, I received an email the evening of this event from a Georgia Tech faculty member. He is an English instructor wanting to include a SL component to his course. This includes several in-world meetings along with virtual space and support for his students to develop a small project.

What's the role of the library here? I mean, if a professor asks for face-to-face classroom support we provide that. If they ask for web support via WebCT or via an online service like Horizon Wimba, we'd most likely provide that too. But what about Second Life? How many of us are ready to offer services there?

I feel that librarians can benefit from a basic understanding of virtual worlds for cases just like this… and this example is going to become more common. Imagine the possibility of say a physics class in which you have a lecture, a lab, and a virtual world homework assignment (3 distinct components.) Maybe an aerospace class conducts experiments in zero gravity. Maybe a class of civil engineers and a class of architects have to work together on building a structure, just like in the real world.

SL has a lot of info for educators . Are you ready to help them? If the classroom and the curriculum are heading into a virtual environment, shouldn't libraries follow? Or even better, shouldn't they lead the way? The idea of setting up a virtual reference desk and waiting around for patrons is preposterous, but collaborating with faculty and creating engagement experiences is the future of education.

Some of my other SL posts:

Augmented Reality – the Georgia Tech model

Second Thoughts – the Woodbury Model

Be like Emeril: my response to Steven Bell

A few weeks ago Steven Bell posted about librarian careers on the ACRL Blog. He urged us not to worry about where we are professionally- that careers are like marathons. He described the ebb and flow of the hills and valleys that we encounter and instead of getting caught up in the spotlight, encouraged us to think strategically about how we can position ourselves for the next five to ten years.

Well spoken for his generation, however my generation only cares about celebrity. Turn on CNN and you’ll probably see something about Britney Spears within ten minutes. Flip to MTV and you’ll see 16 year old princesses crying because some second-rate band won’t play at a party. Open the New York Times and you’ll read about “hip” librarians.

We’ve become a culture of instant success; Sartre’s nightmare of fashion above all else. The American Dream has shifted away from a good job, a white picket fence, two kids, and a dog--- and is now about prominence, contempo-organic living space, and 15 minutes of reality TV fame.

And the thing is… I would not want it any other way.

What the library profession needs are transformative personalities. Emeril Lagasse is a perfect example. Before he came along my diet was microwaveable, and cooking shows were horribly boring. Martha Stewart is my grandmother’s brand. Emeril brought style, flair, showmanship, along with expertise. He opened the doors for others like Bobby Flay, Jamie Oliver, and even Rachael Ray. If you look at the Food Network demographics over the past decade I’m sure you’ll see a dramatic increase in male viewers, and it’s not all just because of Giada.

Emeril transformed cooking; he made it cool, popular, and approachable. The same can be said for Howard Schultz and coffee. Before Starbucks the town I grew up in had one coffee house where lots of wanna-be pretentious artist types hung out, along with the wanna-be wanna-be’s like me. Growing up no one talked about coffee, that was something our parents drank. Now there is coffee shop on every corner and someday there will be one in every library.

Emeril and Schultz have had a tremendous impact not only on the food and beverage industry, but on our society. Why don’t librarians think like that? Why don’t we talk about experiences instead of transactions? Bell urges us to ford the river, but I say build big bridges.

Happy New Year everyone.

Daylight Savings as an excellent PR opportunity

Finally the weather is tolerable here in Atlanta; Fall is my favorite season. With this change comes the end of daylight savings. This is a great chance to pitch security. Just as all these corporations are jumping on the go green bandwagon, libraries can send a message about safety.

My library is located in an urban environment. Crime happens. Why not use this opportunity to reinforce an image of the library as a “safe” place? We have a security officer who checks IDs at the door and another one roaming the building, we also have a campus shuttle service that takes students to their dorms at night until 2am. These are things we already do, but we don’t talk about them publicly. By creating a media package, we can get this word out in conjunction with the end of day light savings (aka: shorter days) and sell the library as a safe haven.

Many of us spend so much time promoting resources, equipment, policies, reference help, etc but what about peace of mind? Promoting security makes us look responsible—and, as is our case, responsive to recent concerns about crime in the area. This effort makes us look like we’re addressing actual current needs, when really we’ve been doing this all along.

It invites the potential for wide collaboration too:

• Maybe Student Government or some other group could coordinate a “walking together” program—so that at the top of each hour (after 10pm) students could meet outside the library to walk over to dorms or distant parking lots. (This is directly in line with police recommendations that people travel in packs.)
• Maybe there could be some type of partnership between the library and housing? Perhaps we can deliver a midterm package informing students about upcoming events, workshops, all the usual library stuff, but also include something about safety?
• The library and the transportation office? They run the campus shuttles—we could push that info to students, encourage them to add the number to their cell phones or something to that effect. Maybe something with campus bus routes adding a few “night” time spots. We also want to find ways to get them too the library (not just home from it) so perhaps some transportation possibilities there as well? Door to door and back again.
• Maybe invite campus police to hold some safety seminars or whatever within our presentation space? Even if students don’t attend we gain positive PR.
• Maybe write a letter to the editor of the school paper laying out this “safety” theme stating that since we’re open late this is a concern of ours and that the library is working with all these other units on campus to ensure they have an environment that is comfortable and safe… etc.

It’s all about perception and media spin, so consider an awareness message that makes the library look good. It doesn’t always have to be about books, journals, exhibits, and computers—think big picture. What’s the patron thought process? I am focused now at trying to find out what deters them from visiting the library and then implementing solutions—how can we create a  motivational message? Or rather, the right message at the right time for the right person.

If I can gently remind users that the library is open 24 hours, packed with assistance (from librarians and IT specialists, to multimedia assistants, teaching assistants, and peers), filled with technology and resources, invites eating, offers both quiet and noisy study space, and the occasional exhibit, lecture, or other “intellectual” distraction—combined with the perception that it is not only safe, but activity seeking to ensure their security--- I feel I could raise both gate count and user satisfaction simultaneously.

Many libraries, particularly ARL’s, focus on promoting excellence in collections, but I am far more interested in promoting an excellence library experience.

Shifting My Focus – the user experience

As of yesterday I have a new title: User Experience Librarian. This seems to be a natural evolution for me with an emphasis on assessment and communications in the widest terms imaginable.

Essentially, my job now is to study users and to make recommendations to library admin and department heads. I'll also work with others to develop targeted communication strategies and to do a little brand-work. The biggest challenge will be getting all departments/units to trust me—you say the word assessment and people freak out.

That being said, we'll be looking for a new librarian soon to fill my former position. Atlanta is nice, seriously it is. GT is a top five engineering school, and a top 10 public university. The Library has a third building “in the works,” is a member of ARL, and recently received ACRL's Excellence Award. We're well suited for ambitious entrepreneurial types because we're given a lot of freedom to experiment. We also have competitive Athletics programs. Something to think about.