Promoting “2.0 Training” with “Fantastic Freebies” Promoting “2.0 Training” with...

Promoting “2.0 Training” with Promoting “2.0 Training” with “Fantastic Freebies”“Fantastic Freebies”(and other Innovative Programs)

Presented by:

Janie HermannBob Keith

Princeton Public LibraryPrinceton, NJ

Session D305: Tech Freebies and Program Ideas

Computers in Libraries 2007Crystal City, VA

• Single-branch municipal library in heart of downtown (very close to Princeton University)

• New(ish) state-of-the-art 58,000 square foot building (opened in April 2004)

• Staff: 54 FTE; Population: 31,000

• 100+ computers for public use

• Fully equipped technology center with lots of software and a “Gadget Garage”

Princeton Public Library

Traditional Tech Training

• Computer Basics• Email• Internet Basics• Search Engines• Online Catalog• Word Processing/Spreadsheets etc.

You can do more!

Disclaimr

• Many libraries lack staff time and money to expand computer classes

• Better to rephrase “Computer Classes” as “Technology Training”

• Several easy to implement paths to grow a Tech Training program

– Low cost in money and staff time

– Agile, can teach new tech quickly

Get the word out

Position yourself and your staff as Position yourself and your staff as

““Tech Gurus”Tech Gurus”

• Get involved with local users’ groups• Present for local groups (PTOs, Job Seekers,

Service Clubs, Chambers of Commerce)• Develop and/or join Technology Mailing Lists • Create a Technology Training Blog• Sell up at each and every class • Tease with new content

Never Underestimate

the Power

of

Attractive, Professional

Full-Color Posters

Bringing them in

• Fantastic Freebies– Everyone likes to get something for free– Simple to implement – Can be presented to large groups as lectures– Jumpstart the 2.0 buzz

• Listen to suggestions – Give ‘em what they want– Photo editing– Blogs – Tips, advice, etc on how to use computers and

Internet better

2.0 Toolbox

How we locate “Freebies”

• PC Magazine– Top 101 Sites– Best Free Software

• SEOmoz’s Web 2.0 Awards

• Time Magazine’s 50 Coolest Websites

• Filehippo (freeware with some shareware)

Constantly Scan Tech Blogs, Library Constantly Scan Tech Blogs, Library Blogs, Tech News Sites and the Blogs, Tech News Sites and the

Popular Media!Popular Media!

Text Editing Freebies

• Google Docs• YourDraft• Ajaxwrite

Organization Freebies

• Tadalists• Cozi Central• Google Calendar

Productivity Freebies

• LogMeIn• CCleaner

Photo and Video Freebies

• The GIMP• Everystockphoto• Flickr• OneTrueMedia

Our plans for Future Classes

• Move from Photoshop to GIMP and Pixer/Picnik

• Move from Blogger to Wordpress• Move from Bloglines to Google Reader• Social Bookmarking• How to create and host Podcasts• YouTube/OneTrueMedia/SplashCast (video

editing and hosting online)• Digital Scrapbooking

Our classes are always in Constant BetaKeep things fresh and keep innovating!

A few Final Tips

• Train staff and patrons together – Creates transparency – Boosts statistics– Saves time and money

• Develop rotating classes • Offer classes in series (i.e. mini-courses)

– Keeps students engaged– Have students work on a project

• Real world application• Sense of accomplishment

Contact Us

Janie Hermannjhermann@princetonlibrary.org

Robert Keithrkeith@princetonlibrary.org

Slides will be posted at Library Gardenhttp://librarygarden.blogspot.com