I'm sad to be at the end of this program. I loved it so much! I started it back in April 2011, but due to time limitations (graduate school and a hectic summer reading program) I just now had the opportunity to finish the steps. I was amazed how intimidated I was at the beginning of each step and yet due to the resources and explanations that were available found the technologies easy to learn and use. I am very interested in the digital storytelling, but had the most trouble trying to figure out how to create an original story. We just purchased a flip camera so I'm hoping to use it and grow in this area. I am especially thrilled to know how to create screen captures for the purpose of tutorials. I've been wanting to try this with our catalog for over a year and now I have the skills to do it.
I am always thrilled to have the opportunity to add new technology skills to my basket of tricks! I'm grateful that these training opportunities exist and am eager to see what is coming up next.
Since the original Two Step our library now has three blogs (storytime, reader's advisory, and the summer reading blog which averages 1000 hits each summer), a Facebook page, twitter, and flickr photos. It will be exciting to see what we can add next.
My goal working at the Bee Cave Public Library is to be an asset to both my patrons and also my supervisors and co-workers. I feel that programs like A Dozen Ways to Two Step and Beyond Two Step, provide me with the professional training necessary to help me meet my professional goals.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Beyond Method # 11
And the survey says..... Surveys are a great way to get feedback from patrons as to the effectiveness of programming, materials and services provided by the library. The various tools that are available remove any obstacle from a library adopting this real time feedback resource. We were just discussing this last week that we wanted to put up a survey to get feedback concerning the various events we held during our 2011 summer reading program. Now I have the tools to create the survey and the ability to place it on our blog, website, or facebook page. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
For my survey I used survey monkey. It was very easy to use. I decided against linking it and went with the embedded option instead. It is my belief that the most steps required of a user the less likely they are to take those steps. By having the survey there in front of the user, hopefully they will take the extra time to run through the questions and provide their valued opinion.
At this time we have comment cards for our patrons to use, but they are seldom used. We also get emails from patrons expressing their opinions. A survey regarding a particular area of programming, service or material would provide a focused response and therefore help us to better know where we are succeeding and where there is more room for improved services.
I would also LOVE to have this tool to help with registration for events and summer reading. This year alone we had over 1000 children sign up for our Summer Reading Program. This resulted in a lot of forms where the information had to be transferred to a spreadsheet. It would be nice if there was a way to have patrons register online then download that information into an excel spreadsheet.
My survey:
For my survey I used survey monkey. It was very easy to use. I decided against linking it and went with the embedded option instead. It is my belief that the most steps required of a user the less likely they are to take those steps. By having the survey there in front of the user, hopefully they will take the extra time to run through the questions and provide their valued opinion.
At this time we have comment cards for our patrons to use, but they are seldom used. We also get emails from patrons expressing their opinions. A survey regarding a particular area of programming, service or material would provide a focused response and therefore help us to better know where we are succeeding and where there is more room for improved services.
I would also LOVE to have this tool to help with registration for events and summer reading. This year alone we had over 1000 children sign up for our Summer Reading Program. This resulted in a lot of forms where the information had to be transferred to a spreadsheet. It would be nice if there was a way to have patrons register online then download that information into an excel spreadsheet.
My survey:
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
Beyond Method # 10
I'm so grateful for web conferencing. I have attended several webinars and am amazed how included I feel even though I'm far away. I am also a distant learning student in the UNT MLIS Program. We have a live classroom software, Wimba, which allows for live classroom events. Recently in a storytelling course each member of the class presented a story via a web cam. We were able to receive immediate feedback and also put faces with our classmates' names.
My sister and I now Skype to stay in touch. I love it! I wish we had used it before now. While on a recent call with her I was also able to see and speak with my nephews! Technology is wonderful. It really is making the world a smaller place which is important since it is the only planet we have. We must be more thoughtful about how each of our choices impacts the rest of the world. We cannot control how others operate but by modeling considerate, responsible behavior, perhaps we can lead the way to saving this planet.
I had no idea that authors were Skyping. I can see where this would be a wonderful resource for book clubs and events. Library budgets being limited it is an affordable way to bring the authors to the readers without breaking the bank. It is also a great way for other libraries to connect, share ideas, and brainstorm about programming.
Without the ability to share in web conferencing, I would not be able to work on my Master's degree through UNT. I would not have important training opportunities such as those provided by Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Web conferencing is especially helpful to rural libraries who generally find their funds more limited as well as their access to training resources.
Skype is easy to use and very intuitive. Built in web cams and microphones have come a long way over the last few years making it possible to point and click our way into the global community!
My sister and I now Skype to stay in touch. I love it! I wish we had used it before now. While on a recent call with her I was also able to see and speak with my nephews! Technology is wonderful. It really is making the world a smaller place which is important since it is the only planet we have. We must be more thoughtful about how each of our choices impacts the rest of the world. We cannot control how others operate but by modeling considerate, responsible behavior, perhaps we can lead the way to saving this planet.
I had no idea that authors were Skyping. I can see where this would be a wonderful resource for book clubs and events. Library budgets being limited it is an affordable way to bring the authors to the readers without breaking the bank. It is also a great way for other libraries to connect, share ideas, and brainstorm about programming.
Without the ability to share in web conferencing, I would not be able to work on my Master's degree through UNT. I would not have important training opportunities such as those provided by Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Web conferencing is especially helpful to rural libraries who generally find their funds more limited as well as their access to training resources.
Skype is easy to use and very intuitive. Built in web cams and microphones have come a long way over the last few years making it possible to point and click our way into the global community!
Beyond Method #9
I found the resources available for exploration very interesting and valuable. I know given our limited budget our library is always looking for free graphics and images we can use to promote our programming. I loved the Open Image site It had some great video footage that would be fun and interesting to add to a project. I also took a look at the Creative Commons section of Flickr. I found the Creative Commons search site confusing. I need to spend more time figuring out how to locate images and how to ensure they are licensed for common use.
I just finished a storytelling course as a part of my ongoing MLS coursework. We actually spent a week on digital storytelling. I love face to face performances but the ability to preserve personal and community histories is an invaluable gift. I have a cassette tape (old technology) with my great grandmother's voice recorded on it. It is a treasure. The sound of her voice sends me back to her side, listening to the many stories she shared with me.
As our society grows in expectation and media sophistication, it is important that we find ways to communicate information in new and dynamic ways.
I chose to use Animoto solely based on its own site's promise to be amazingly easy. It was! I had a great time playing with images, listening to available scores I could choose from and then watching the finished product. It is my hope that as we finish up our summer reading program that I can use this same technology to create a dynamic slideshow of the summer's events.
My video is below. I attempted to access the Techsoup winners but none were available for viewing.
I loved my storytelling course and look forward to exploring how I take advantage of these resources to enhance my storytelling.
I just finished a storytelling course as a part of my ongoing MLS coursework. We actually spent a week on digital storytelling. I love face to face performances but the ability to preserve personal and community histories is an invaluable gift. I have a cassette tape (old technology) with my great grandmother's voice recorded on it. It is a treasure. The sound of her voice sends me back to her side, listening to the many stories she shared with me.
As our society grows in expectation and media sophistication, it is important that we find ways to communicate information in new and dynamic ways.
I chose to use Animoto solely based on its own site's promise to be amazingly easy. It was! I had a great time playing with images, listening to available scores I could choose from and then watching the finished product. It is my hope that as we finish up our summer reading program that I can use this same technology to create a dynamic slideshow of the summer's events.
My video is below. I attempted to access the Techsoup winners but none were available for viewing.
I loved my storytelling course and look forward to exploring how I take advantage of these resources to enhance my storytelling.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
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