TechSoup

As a member of the Edge coalition, TechSoup Global (TSG) engages its communities to provide feedback on the public access technology benchmarks as they are being developed. Here are TSG’s blog posts that focus on the importance of creating these benchmarks and how they will support public libraries.

May. 15th 2013
Planning: Webinar Follow-up
Thank you to Alexis Caudell, Director of the Mitchell Community Library (IN) for sharing her planning experiences and expertise during today's "Planning: A Small Library's Strategies for Tech Success" webinar! If you missed the webinar, but are interested in a thoughtful approach to technology planning, you'll definitely want to check out the recording and the resources. Four Facets of...

May. 13th 2013
Reviewing Library Policies: An Important Step in Technology Planning
In a previous article, I shared resources to help you find data to be used for community assessment as part of technology planning. After your community assessment activities have helped you identify the needs in your service area, and you have used tools and resources to plan technology-related services to meet those needs, it’s time to look at your...

May. 10th 2013
Technology Instruction Materials for Libraries
From 2011-2012 I worked at the Colorado State Library as part of a team to help 50 libraries across the state to develop new and improved technology training programs.  This team was funded by the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP), led by Sharon Morris, and included Kieran Hixon, Nancy Trimm, Jamie Hollier, Susan Burkholder, and myself. As a part of...

May. 1st 2013
Hot off the press
Happy May Day! We're delivering your May Basket virtually... in the form of a newsletter. The May TechSoup for Libraries newsletter was emailed to subscribers earlier today. The treats in this month's issue include: Stories from librarians and libraries around the country, including spotlights on Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois Info about the Mobile Beacon donation program Webinars, webinars,...

Apr. 29th 2013
Upcoming Edge Benchmark Webinars
Please join us for two free upcoming webinars! On Wednesday, May 15th, Alexis Caudell, Director of the Mitchell Community Public Library in Indiana, will discuss Planning: A Small Library's Strategies for Tech Success. On Wednesday June 12th, Wendy Street, Director of the Pella Public Library in Iowa, will discuss how to Support Patron Learning in Small Spaces with...

Apr. 17th 2013
Helping People Find Good Health Information Online
Thanks to Dana Abbey for presenting today’s webinar, Helping People Find Good Health Information Online. Thank you, too, to all of the participants who asked great questions and shared additional resources. Dana Abbey is the Health Information Literacy Coordinator for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine – Midcontinental Region. If you missed it, you'll be happy to know...

Apr. 10th 2013
Thinking about providing health info training for your community?
Thinking about providing health information training for your community? Here's advice from a pro! Dana Abbey is the Health Information Literacy Coordinator for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental region. She has a background in public libraries, library consultation, and prescription drug monitoring. In her current role, Dana works to improve the public's access to information to...

Mar. 26th 2013
Tech on the Spec(trum): Webinar Follow-up
Thank you to Holly Jin from the Skokie (IL) Public Library for today's presentation: Tech on the Spec(trum): Making Libraries More Accessible for Children with Special Needs. The webinar was recorded -- please feel free to share! Resources that were mentioned during the webinar are linked to in this post. We would love to continue the conversation in...

Mar. 22nd 2013
Finding data about your community
Are you conducting a Community Assessment for planning? This article includes resources for finding existing information for your community. There is a wealth of data available about your community courtesy of federal websites, state publications and databases, and local contacts.  The First Step in a Community Assessment The first step in conducting a community assessment is to gather information that already...

Mar. 20th 2013
Spotlight on Planning, Privacy, and Passion
Have you had a chance to read our new Library Spotlight? It profiles Laura Speer and the Fayetteville Public Library. Laura and the library are spotlighted for their success with Library Edge Benchmark 10, which includes technology management policies, with hardware and software upgrades, network security policies, and patron privacy policies.  What makes this library so...