Creating A Technology Petting “Zoo”

Facilitating a “learning-by- play” environment for effective technology

training

Maryland Library AssociationVirtual and Live Conference

May 2008

Presented by:

Annette Gaskins, Technical Resources

Librarian Harford Co. Public

Library1221 A Brass Mill

Road, Belcamp, MD 21017

gaskins@hcplonline.info

Presented by:

Maurice Coleman Technical Trainer

Harford Co. Public Library1221 A Brass Mill Road,

Belcamp, MD 21017http://

baldgeek.wordpress.comim/twitter: baldgeekinmd

Links

• http://hcpltechfair.blogspot.com Links to HCPL 23 things blogs here.

• On Flickr: baldgeekinmd• Maurice’s blog :

http://baldgeek.wordpress.com

• Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com • Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com

Over 1 mil. Volumes

11 Branches/Two Service Vehicles

Almost 4 mil circ

Amish, Rural, Farm, Suburban and Urban patrons.

For FY 07

About our system

What region are you from?

YA Comm.Staff Survey

Learning 2.0

High Buy-In

Why Petting Zoo?

Tech Fair/ Petting Zoo

First Steps..

•Get organized & Get help

•Get buy-in & Get excited

•Use the Tools

Content –These Six?

Wikis/Open Source – Work ToolGaming – Part of CollectionStreaming Media – Info Source IM/Myspace – Reference Blogging – Expert Knowledge MP3’s/IPods – Patron Use

(Audiobooks)

Which technologies would you use in your

region?

First Step – Support

◊Visible Support from Top

◊Realistic Scheduling around Fair

◊Financial Support

Taking Shape – Timing Hey, we open late on Wednesdays

One hour lecture- two hour lab

Class of 36

6/6/20 and overlap

Be aware of time

Taking Shape – People Two For The Show/Two Trainers (at least)

Station Masters & Host/Hostesses

Station Staff

Geek and Facility Support

Partnership with Big Box Store

Taking Shape – Finding People

◘Early Adopters

◘“Techie Types” at all levels

◘Pages/Teen/Younger Adult Staff

◘Staff with kids and teens

◘Trainers in the system

◘The Curious Learner

Can you think of the folks in your system that

fit these categories?

Taking Shape - Space

Adequate size and parking

Space to move and hear

Electronic Infrastructure

Good flow

Preparation - Equipment

–Computers/Keyboards/Mice

–Projectors/ Projection Surfaces

–Cords /Cables /Connections

–Do a DRY RUN!

–Label, Label, Label

Preparation – People

Overlap/Breaks / Lunch

Minimum/maximum numbers

Team skills and personalities

Communicate again and again

The luxury of the floater

Running the Fair – OnePractice and practice some

more

Do a Full Scale Dry Run

Plenty of equipment is good

Sign, Sign, everywhere a sign

Patience is a virtue

HAVE FUN!!!

Running the Fair – Two The other shoe will drop &

Learn to let go

Troubleshooters Identified

Tell the people where to go.

Tell the people how to get there.

Tell them what to do when they get there.

Potholes

Change in Technology

Equipment and Connections

Presenters comfort

Really Big Observation

The gaming station drew a lot of interest because it was more fun and exciting, and it served as a break from all the “serious stuff.”

People occasionally needed to be herded along to the next stop.

Observations

Keep people moving

Blog as you go

You can’t please all the people all the time

Handouts

Document the Zoo

BlogPhotographSurveyAnecdotal

http://hcpltechfair.blogspot.com

Expected Outcomes Introduction and comfort with

new stuff.

Chance to try hands on.

Meet 23 Things and Learning 2.0.

Relate to staff at all levels.

Emphasize key concepts.

Results and Outcomes

New project? New Wiki!

del.icio.us at the Reference Desk!

Photo sharing done regularly.

Blogging for work and personal use.

Results and OutcomesStaff got a break from usual routines.

Staff got to bond through play.

Added new technologies to orientation.

Library has a number of active blogs.

Higher number of signups for 23 Things.

Results and Outcomes

Staff can truly engage patrons about new technology.

System commitment to using “learning though play”models in other training.

Commitment to “near future” continued learning about new technologies.

Now, do you think you are ready to do a technology

“petting zoo”?

A Taste of the Fair:

You too went to the Zoo..

This video is on my youtube channel --

baldgeekinmd

This video is on my youtube channel --

baldgeekinmd

Thank you for coming

Do you have any questions?

Links

• http://hcpltechfair.blogspot.com Links to HCPL 23 things blogs here.

• On Flickr: baldgeekinmd• Maurice’s blog :

http://baldgeek.wordpress.com

• Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com • Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com