Books:
Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs, and Services
Libraries Unlimited, 2020.
“A one-stop shop for libraries looking to add the most popular technologies and create best practices for their use.”
Introducing new technologies to your library can be a daunting process; they can be costly, they may be unfamiliar to many staff members, and their success is far from assured. To address these concerns, Best Technologies for Public Libraries accommodates budgets large and small, providing options for both the ambitious and the cost-conscious.
Authors Christopher DeCristofaro, James Hutter, and Nick Tanzi provide a resource for staff looking to incorporate a number of emerging technologies into their library and makerspaces. Each chapter explores a new technology, including 3D printing, drones, augmented reality, and virtual reality, covering how it works, the selection process, training, sample programming, best practices, and relevant policy.
Making the Most of Digital Collections Through Training and Outreach: The Innovative Librarian’s Guide
Libraries Unlimited, 2015.
This book offers a practical template for training patrons to use eBook, streaming video, online music, and journal collections that is practical, adaptable, and most importantly, sustainable.
In order to make your library’s expanding digital collection worth having, customers need to know how to access these online resources—and it’s up to your staff to show them how. This unique guide explains how to use a device-centered approach to training library patrons (rather than a system-centric approach) that will enable staff to more easily assist patrons, regardless of whether your patrons use Kindles, tablets, mobile phones, or laptops. Using this approach, staff stay current and can prepare for the next technology or interface platform to access digital collections.
The book describes different patron instruction scenarios, such as drop-in, one-on-one interactions, tech petting zoos, and classroom settings, and explains how to structure and conduct specific sessions/classes. Readers will learn methods of promoting the digital collection that can be used in their entirety or a la carte, depending on your budget and locality. The final chapters address using social media, print media, and interactive displays; best practices for target marketing aimed at both in-house patrons and external customers; and how you can save money when purchasing equipment.
Articles:
The Tech Landscape & Libraries – 2021. The Princh Library Blog. March 11, 2021.
Using Email to Address COVID-19 Marketing Challenges. Public Libraries Magazine. January/February 2021. Volume 60 Number 1.
Providing Patron Tech Help in a Pandemic: In-Person and Virtual Models. Public Libraries Magazine. November/December 2020. Volume 59 Number 6.
Promoting 3D Printing at Your Library. Public Libraries Magazine. September/October 2020. Volume 59 Number 5.
Public Computer and Internet Access in the Time of COVID-19. Public Libraries Magazine. July/August 2020. Volume 59 Number 4.
Assessing Virtual Programs. Public Libraries Magazine. May/June 2020. Volume 59 Number 3.
Assessing Your Library’s Makerspace. Public Libraries Magazine. March/April 2020. Volume 59 Number 2.
Serving Our Mobile Users in 2020. Public Libraries Magazine. January/February 2020. Volume 59 Number 1.
Pre- and Post-Holiday Tech Instruction. Public Libraries Magazine. November/December 2019. Volume 58 Number 6.
Have You Googled Yourself Lately? Maintaining the Accuracy of Your Digital Presence. Public Libraries Magazine. September/October 2019. Volume 58 number 5.
Crafting Engaging Content to Achieve Social Media Success. Computers in Libraries. September 2019. Volume 39 Number 7.
Introducing Virtual Reality to Your Community. Public Libraries Magazine. July/August 2019. Volume 58 Number 4.
Marketing Our Growing Digital Collections. Public Libraries Magazine. May/June 2019. Volume 58 Number 3.
Bringing Virtual Reality to Our Senior Patrons. Public Libraries Online. September 5, 2017.
Teaching the Tech Side Hustle. Public Libraries Online. July 10, 2017.
Will There Be Another Summer of Pokémon GO? Public Libraries Online. May 31, 2017.
Teen 3D Printing Club. VOYA: Voice of Youth Advocates, February 2017. Volume 39, issue 6, pages 20-23.
3D Printing Adventures with William Floyd. LinkedIn Pulse. January, 7 2017.
Your Library’s Digital Collection & the Post-Holiday Bump. LinkedIn Pulse. December 19, 2016.
Dungeons & Dragons & 3D Printing: A Library Adventure. LinkedIn Pulse. October 19, 2016.
3D Printing in Libraries: Putting Your Misprints to Work! LinkedIn Pulse. September 14, 2016.
Marketing Opportunities for Your Library’s Digital Collection. LinkedIn Pulse. August 20, 2016.
Using Augmented Reality to Improve Local History Collections. LinkedIn Pulse. July 18, 2016.
Pokemon & Public Libraries. LinkedIn Pulse. July 12, 2016.