Task #10 - New Web Site

I think the new web site looks great and I appreciate that it has so much information on it. However, right now I find it overwhelming because of all the information. I think it will eventually be less overwhelming, but it's hard to tell right now because as I explore more I get sensory overload. It seems like things are in places that will be easy to find, but it's hard to tell how easy patrons or I will find information when the need comes.

Here are some specific things I noticed and suggestions to go with them:

-People might use the site for much more than just searching books, but "catalog and more" seems really low on the page for a library web site (on my work computer it's the very last line when the page first comes up). Maybe that can be switched with "Reviews and Recommendations" so it is at the top of the page.

-Playing with the web site, I know that it is possible to view the entire event calendar when on the "event" page. However, it's confusing and potentially frustrating that the calendar graphic on the page won't open to the full month (or at least I can't figure it out if it can). People who are looking for a specific program might think they have to click on each day to view the programs. Maybe the title "Event Calendar" above the graphic can be a link to the full calendar.

-It might be helpful to list the length of the Book-A-Librarian appointments in the description so there aren't misunderstandings or incorrect expectations of time spent with patrons.

That's it for now, other than to say a lot of good work has been accomplished!

Task #9 Universal Class

I found a couple of classes that I think would be interesting. Looking at the class descriptions and some of the syllabi, it seems that following a book cover to cover on the topic would probably provide the same amount of information. I usually don't follow a "how to" book completely so the format of an online class might help people keep focused and make sure they don't overlook important steps or information.

Though some of the classes seem like they can help people learn useful skills, some of the class subjects lower my opinion of the program's overall legitimacy. Nevertheless, here are some of my brainstorming ideas as related to the library:

-Promote activity related classes to Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
-Promote classes to Partners as an activity that a pair can do together.
-Promote to high school teens as a way to get a taste of different types of jobs and job skills they might enjoy.
-Promote to high school teens as a way to get a taste of online learning. They would have to understand the requirement differences between this and online school, but they would be able to compare online learning to on-campus learning.
-Some of these look decent for staff training, depending on what an individual and/or supervisor found appropriate. Eve once mentioned issues with grammar; I saw at least one class for this.
-After related programs or computer classes mention this list: "If you want to learn more on this topic..."
-Provide lab time or extended computer time for people enrolled in a class. If scheduled lab time, perhaps staff it so people with low computer skills can ask for basic help.
-Promote the area suitable for homeschooling to home schoolers.

Task #8 - Espanol LibGuide

Thanks to Jennifer's good instruction, I only missed one on the quiz. When looking for pages with the option for logging in to my library account I missed the one on the catalog page because it doesn't have the same graphic as the other pages.

I'm impressed by how thorough this LibGuide is and how it will help answer some common questions that Spanish speakers might have about library use, language learning, and citizenship. I'm also glad to know about the kids games in Spanish. This might be the most handy piece for Orchard Mesa!

Not on the LibGuide, but from the training, I appreciate learning about www.translate.google.com. That was one of the best things I learned today.

Task #7: Cloud Computing - Google Docs and Dropbox

I am currently using Dropbox for school files. Originally I used it so I could store articles and drafts and access them at work while I was on my break without having to e-mail them to myself (as one of the resources mentions). I now mostly use it to store my school work because it provides a great backup system. I used to save items to my desktop and to a USB drive, but if I wasn't careful and consistent sometimes I would get confused about which had the newest version.

I have also used Google Docs for school. It worked well for sharing a document that could be edited and added to by everyone in my group; however, I found some of the navigation and use of some features confusing and didn't like it overall. That was awhile ago so improvements might have been made. I found less well known sites that provided document sharing that seemed more straight forward to me (though I can't remember the names now).

For patrons, Dropbox would work well if they had a computer at home and just wanted to use our printer. They could easily access the document from the Dropbox web site. Google Docs might be a good option for people if they didn't mind using the Google docs format. For people who are working on a Word document, Microsoft Office's cloud service is SkyDrive. SkyDrive would be a good option for people who used our library computers for Microsoft but didn't bring a USB drive to save their work.

Task #6: Helping Patrons

Though none of the answers surprised me, I found this to be a really good exercise. It is easy to think of one solution to offer patrons, but it's helpful to be reminded of additional solutions and to offer patrons as much as possible.

Here's my multiple choice question:
A patron comes to the desk and asks what e-reader should he or she purchase or if we can help download books onto the one he or she has.
a) Respond, "I don't have one so I don't know. Just don't buy a Kindle right now."
b) Tell the patron to "Google it" ("it" being e-readers in which he or she might be interested)
c) Send him or her to Central to ask for more help
d) Show him or her the downloadable instructions on our web site
e) Tell him or her to Book A Librarian
f) Combination of c-e

Because I do know that Kindles do not currently work with Overdrive items, I do share that knowledge, but in a nicer way than listed in choice "a". I let patrons know that there is a step-by-step guide online and show them where it is if they are interested. I explain that there are staff members at Central who know more, and booking a librarian is the best option because it will allow staff time and preparation to answer specific questions.

Extra Credit #2: Google A Day

Today I learned that in 1667 nutmeg motivated the exchange of two islands (one which is now Manhattan) between the Dutch and the British.

I like learning new things, but I'm not a "trivia buff" so this exercise was okay. I probably won't visit it again.

I don't like being the party pooper, but I do have to write that I have a problem with this being on our Research and Learning page. I understand that it is relevant because people are learning something new, but it seems we have a continuous struggle to make the point that our databases provide reliable research compared to many Google, Wikepedia and general Internet searches. With that in mind, it seems to me that having a Google A Day on the same page as our databases is counterintuitive.

Please enter me into the drawing for the downtown gift card.

Task #5 Chilton Library

My sister has been having problems with her car stalling. She's been to multiple mechanics, has had a couple of parts replaced, and is still experiencing the problem. Sean looked online for information so we now have an idea of what she needs to try next.

So I looked up her car on Chilton. No problem getting to her car's information. But then...
I knew that at least one of her replaced parts was a recalled part. Sure enough, the bulletin/recall list with the symptom choice of stalling listed the ignition switch. Good to know, but not really helpful, as it didn't fix her problem.

Then I went to the repair tab -- which wasn't helpful to me. There is so much information. I know I'm not a mechanic or someone who knows much about cars, but I do know about this particular problem. Based on Sean's online research, I know that the "main relay" is the likely culprit and I understand that it is an electrical problem, not a fuel problem. The "repairs" section doesn't help with that. It doesn't provide a nice "symptoms" selection with a list of possibilities, as the recall section does. I opened up most of the information for both the fuel and engine electric areas and didn't find anything with "main relay."

Not only was this not helpful in finding out more information to help my sister, it didn't even help me gather a "second opinion" on information found elsewhere. But perhaps that's not Chilton's goal. If it is to show people how to do something that they clearly know needs to be done, then I think it does offer straightforward information. However, their tagline is, "Where smart enthusiasts click for service information" and in this case, it didn't give me the service information I needed.

All that written, I am thankful we have it, especially as a branch. This is one of the databases I show people most often. Just yesterday over the phone I told a woman about it and she was very grateful.