Broadband and Library Relevance

Broadband and Library Relevance “ I have a feeling there will be a new life for the library in which it provides the thinking space for civilization.” Jessamyn West interveiw with Web 2.0 thinker Jaron Lanier, author of You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto.

… instead of waiting for the need to materialize…libraries would be better served by anticipating the need and seeking forward-looking solutions today… Fiber to the Library by the ALA Office for Information Technology, September 2009. http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/telecom/index.cfm “ I have a feeling there will be a new life for the library in which it provides the thinking space for civilization.” Jessamyn West interveiw with Web 2.0 thinker Jaron Lanier, author of You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto.

What can fiber do for your library? How are people currently using technology in libraries? What are the current stresses on library bandwidth? Some real-life examples What do patrons want ? Challenges we face

---Libraries Connect Communities— The 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 67% of public libraries report that they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities. 76% of libraries report public use of Internet computers increased in 2009 82% of libraries provide free wireless access, up from 37% only four years ago. 88% of libraries provide access to job databases and other job opportunity resources. 79% percent provide assistance to patrons applying for and accessing e-government services , up 23% from last year. 89% of libraries offer formal or informal technology assistance to library users, and 24% offer one-on-one technology training by appointment.

What are the library’s basic services and the current demand on bandwidth? Acquisitions & Circulation—Meeting the community’s need for information through purchasing resources (print and nonprint) for circulation or reference. Cataloging—Organizing these items to make them accessible. Reference & Interlibrary loan—Finding information, and/ or assisting others, to answer questions. Public Access computing and wireless access.

What can fiber do for your library?

Expanding Access To Content Near And Far Enhancing Connections And Conversations Creating Opportunities

Expanding Access to Content Near and Far Acquisitions—ebooks -- Development of “Digital Library of America” Cataloging—Creating access to all of this content. Preservation—digitization of unique local content to make it available on the Web. See Harvard Librarian, Robert Darnton’s, blog post, How Google Can Save America’s Books ( http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2010/nov/23/how-google-can-save-americas-books/ ) Why not adapt its (Google’s) formula for success to the public good—a digital library composed of virtually all the books in our greatest research libraries available free of charge to the entire citizenry, in fact, to everyone in the world?

Enhancing Connections and Conversations Online Reference---Finding all relevant information on a topic (print, database, electronic, audio/video); evaluating as well as synthesizing all of the formats (audio, video, virtual, etc.) to answer a question. Using Social media such as chat, Twitter, Facebook to communicate. Producing Life-long learning content—Hosting programs to groups in our meeting spaces that may also be distributed electronically on the Internet. Distance education--Providing access to classes other programs that are being streamed/broadcast via the Internet

Creating Opportunity e-government--- Providing access to forms, applications, grants, and other electronic documents at all levels of government. Job search/employment--- Public access computers with broadband connections provide access to employment applications as well as resume and job search sites. Small business development– Using video teleconferencing, classes, and access to all formats-- libraries can become a hub for entrepreneurs.

Creating your own content ---Digitizing unique collections University of Vermont, Center for Digital Initiatives. Digitized content uploaded and cataloged. BML digitizes Porter Thayer Collection of Historic Photographs

Creating your own content --Streaming on-demand video of your programs Volunteer videographers record presentations in your library for local consumption, but also for distribution on the Internet via Internet Archive or another hosting site. http://www.archive.org/details/ChamplainsVermontTheLegacyOfSamuelDeChamplainsVisionForNorth

eLearning potential Lifelong learning programs – Streaming free educational offerings (practice tests, exercises, skill building), eg., Kahn Academy, http://www.khanacademy.org/ Or fee based programs such as Learning Express, http:// www.learnatest.com/lel / The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere.

What do library patrons want? Survey at BML 11/22-11/27 that asked both wireless and public access computer users the following question-- “ If you had access to broadband fiber in the library, what type of activities would you consider doing? I would take webinars and classes on various topics I need continuing education credits to keep up nursing accreditation. I would do more research in digital collections I would take advantage of cloud computing I am a lawyer—I would consider taking depositions remotely

What are the challenges? Keeping yourself and staff trained and up to date Costs and sustainability Adoption by citizens

Henry Ford, (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) If I had asked people what they wanted they would have said “faster horses.”

Broadband and Library Relevance

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