Straight Talk about the "B" Word: using the Edge benchmarks in your library
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The document discusses introducing Edge benchmarks to libraries to assess and improve their public access technology services. It provides 14 sample benchmarks in categories like community value, engagement, and organizational management. The benchmarks focus on areas like training, digital content access, education support, and technology planning. TechSoup's role is to provide content and training to help libraries implement the voluntary online assessment. Successful libraries highlighted are not afraid to fail when trying new things, seek partnerships, and get out into their communities to understand needs. The document encourages libraries to use the benchmarks and resources to demonstrate value to decision makers.
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Straight Talk about the "B" Word: using the Edge benchmarks in your library
- 1. Straight Talk about the “B” Word Using the Edge benchmarks in your library Colorado Springs, CO November 8, 2012
- 2. TechSoupforLibraries.org FREE content DONATED FREE events + Products FREE resources (save 80-90%)
- 3. Why do we do this? • Stories are powerful. • Learn from the experiences of others • Reinventing the wheel isn’t fun.
- 5. Your ideas count: stand up! “I <state your name> pledge to ask questions and share my thoughts and experiences during this session. I will be honest, because I’m a good person, and people like me. And Sarah might give me something free for doing it.”
- 6. BENCHMARKS !
- 7. “NO BENCHMARKS!!! They don't work in the schools; they won't work in libraries.” - Librarian, Alabama
- 8. “This has put a fire to my ideas and we will hold an advertised community forum on library technology needs.“ - Librarian, Colorado
- 9. Edge Initiative: LibraryEdge.org • Aspirational benchmarks: for high quality public access technology services • Resources for reinvestment: demonstrate the value and need to decision makers
- 10. Who is involved? • ALA OITP • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • California, Texas, & Oklahoma State Libraries • International City/County Management Association • LYRASIS • OCLC/WebJunction • PLA • TechSoup Global • Universities of Maryland, Washington • Urban Libraries Council • Hundreds of libraries (and hopefully yours)
- 11. What will it look like? No teasers, unfortunately… – Voluntary online assessment – Scores, based on your peers, size – Help resources – Reports, talking points – Other needs?
- 12. LibraryEdge.org
- 13. Benchmark categories Community Value External practices that connect the library to the community Engaging the Community & Decision Makers Specific programs, services, & support that enable people to get value from their use of technology Organizational Management Internal management & infrastructure
- 14. Benchmark One • Training – Structured – One-on-one Benchmark Two • Access to digital content – Software – Monitor service
- 15. Benchmark Three • Job-seeking – Software – Content, training – Survey community Benchmark Four • Government and legal information – Links, content, training – Survey community
- 16. Benchmark Five • Education support – Software – Exam prep, proctor – Survey community Benchmark Six • Health and wellness – Links, content, training – Survey community
- 17. Benchmark Seven • Community planning – Board membership – Meetings – Survey community Benchmark Eight • Partnerships – Sharing, collaborating – Outreach activities
- 18. Benchmark Nine • Share best practices – With other orgs – Conference presentations – On TechSoup, WebJunction… Benchmark Ten • Plan for technology – Hardware/software replacement – Policies, plans
- 19. Benchmark Eleven • Staff competency – Support learning – Accountability Benchmark Twelve • Bandwidth – Sufficient capacity – Time management – Peripherals
- 20. Benchmark Thirteen • Tech management – Monitors traffic – Tracks usage Benchmark Fourteen • Focus on accessibility – Software/hardware – W3C compliance – Training
- 21. Activity: a closer look 1. Write down one concern or worry you have with implementing a particular benchmark. 2. Write legibly. 3. Take your time.
- 23. TechSoup’s role: training Past Archived Webinars: •Youth-led Tech @ the Library (Benchmark Seven) •From Content Consumers to Content Creators (Benchmark Two) •E-readers for Everyone: Teaching Tips from Trainers (Benchmark One) Each month, we host free webinars on www.TechSoupforLibraries.org.
- 24. Successful libraries… Aren’t afraid to fail “Just give it a try. We call everything a pilot when we begin. That means if it’s not working we will pull out of it. And that helps to ease anxiety in a lot of people. Try it out and see if it works for you, and if not, change it." - Irene Romsa, Poudre River Public Library, Fort Collins, CO “You can't fear that you're going to screw up; you just have to get in there and say, 'Okay, I'm going to learn how to do this.'” - Faye Hover, Smithwelch Public Library, Hearne, TX
- 25. Successful libraries… Seek partnerships •High Plains Library District & Guadalupe Community Center, Greeley, CO “Partnerships are essential in promoting greater exposure for libraries, expanding resources, and promoting the value of libraries.” - Librarian, Genessee District Library, Flint, MI
- 26. Successful libraries… Leave their buildings – 10% rule – Following a passion (Jeff Dawson, Two Rivers, WI) “Getting out into the community helps the library know what the community wants and needs. Instead of spinning our wheels coming up with really cool programs we're sure people will use and come to, we can best use the resources we have to serve our community in a more 'spot on' way.” - Librarian, Ketchikan Public Library, Ketchikan, AK
- 27. Successful libraries… Know their community – Baby steps: survey staff on what they’re learning from patrons – Teenager steps: modest survey of patrons – Adult steps: partner with other agencies to do a community assessment (including folks who don’t enter or use the library), include focus groups and other survey tactics.
- 28. Homework! • Share. (Benchmark 9) And tell me And tell me about it! about it! • Dream. • Don’t be afraid to fail. Remember Faye?
- 29. Sarah Washburn Sarah@TechSoupGlobal.org TechSoupforLibraries.org
- 30. Resources • “We’re All in This Together,” Virgin Airlines video • Edge Benchmarks site • TechSoup webinars (check the archives, too) • Edge content on TechSoupforLibraries
Editor's Notes
- Were all in it together
- Talk about myself, my work. Ask about TSG—who has heard of it? Who has used it and how? (MUG)
- I put an exclamation mark and did that fancy animation b/c there’s a lot of emotional content embedded in that word. Did you feel it? How did you feel when you saw that word? <share> be honest. <give something. Let’s talk about it>
- What are the things I need to be doing and what does this matter In many ways, I see the benchmarks as tips. Yes, they get at best practices that you’ll be scored on, but I’ve heard from so many people that just reading the benchmarks has given them good ideas. This isn’t a test, it’s meant to help you improve, to aspire.
- Why do I say this, well, it’s really been incredible how many libraries and librarians have been involved in this project. Many times, initatives happen and they’re launched with: so, what do you think? This project has been very different. We’re asking feedback constantly, and refining, asking questions, and working hard to make this a project that is useful to you. To everyone.
- Take you into your imagination… Other needs: if you have ideas now, that’s great. Please share. Otherwise, I left some paper on your tables that you can use to write things down and share later, or come grab me after the session.
- You each have the full set of beta benchmarks in front of you. Pull them out, and lets look at them together. I’m going to go through them relatively quickly. This is your opportunity to look at all of them and ask questions before we do an activity together.
- Important: these are beta benchmarks, and are right now being closely considered by the team. That doesn’t mean that these will change radically, but based on feedback, we’re modifying them slightly and correcting typos or language issues.
- 3 categories. Familiarlize. Any questions, worries, concerns? Write down once concern you have in implementing a benchmark in your library. Write legibly. Take you time. Has it snowed in your town yet? SNOWBALL FIGHT!