JJML Learning Path

Why You Were Asked to Use This Site

Our patrons continuously embrace new technologies, and therefore so must we, if we aim to continue serving a vital role in our community. Whether we as individuals like or approve of the changes brought about by technology is irrelevant; we can’t put this genie back in the bottle,  Libraries everywhere have been thrust to the forefront of of the technology adoption curve by such devices as the Kindle, Nook, and iPad, which have the potential to change the very idea of how a library functions.

One thing that has not changed, however, is that libraries remain places to which the public turns when they are looking for answers to difficult questions, or when they need help figuring out how to find the answers they need on their own. As you have undoubtedly noticed, those questions are more and more frequently about technology. And, those questions that are not about technology, often require the use of technology (such as online databases) to find their answers.

Given the changing role of libraries, the role of library workers must change also. That means the skills that we possess, must be relevant to the needs of our patrons. As representatives of the library, we must be prepared to answer questions about technology in general, and about the use of library technology in particular. As has been noted in our staff meetings many times, there is not always someone with specialized technical knowledge available here to answer patron questions. So, while a patron with a complex question about some technological issue, may reasonable have to wait until that person is available, one who simply wishes to print an e-mail message or download an e-book should be able to ask for and receive assistance from any library employee whose job involves interacting with the public.

Recent research done in libraries around the country indicates that library users have two strong preferences:

1. They’d rather be able to do it themselves, but
2. If they can’t do it themselves, they’d like to be able to get “one-stop” help.

That means that they’d like to be helped by the first person they ask, and not have to be referred to a specialist. That also means that in order to keep our patrons happy, we must all gain a working knowledge of the various technologies with which patrons are likely to need assistance.

Technology can also be useful to you in the performance of your job-related responsibilities, and it can be fun.

So, for all these reasons, we have established this learning site to help JJML staffers become familiar with the basic technologies that are required for the performance of your duties; the technologies that we make available for patron use; and the technologies that patrons may have acquired on their own, but need help mastering.

What Sort of Help Will I Find Here?

This site offers brief explanations and tutorials for a variety of technology-related topics — everything from audio books to Yelp. (Don’t worry, Yelp will be explained in due time.) Most of these items fall under a couple of general headings: Web 2.0 and Cloud Computing.

Web 2.0 is shorthand for the “interactive web.” That is, web sites where rather than just passively read content, you are engaged in an interactive dialog with the creator of the site or with other visitors to the site. Facebook falls under the rubric of Web 2.0.

Cloud Computing is a term that refers to the availability of useful tools (software programs) on the Internet. This is as opposed to the “old days” when software had to be purchased on disks of some kind and installed on the computer in your home or office. Cloud applications have no media (disks), they rarely have to be installed, and they’re often free. G-Mail is an example of a Cloud Computing application.

Under these two headings fall almost the entire range of new technologies in use in the library and by our patrons at home.

Click here for a list of topics we will be covering grouped into categories.

How Does This Program Work

This program is based on one developed at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library. It was called 23 Things and became quite well known, and widely copied in the library community. Some parts of that program are a little dated now, so instead of using it as is, we’ve developed our own version. (That said, some of the content used here was originally created by the Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Counties (PLCMC).

As in the original, staff members are encouraged to complete a set of activities each week until they have worked their way through the program. New learning activities will be added to this site over the next few weeks until all the items listed above are available. [All activities are now available.] It is recommended that staff members complete all the activities within a ten-week period.

The final activity will be to record your impressions of the program by filling out a questionnaire.  If you have read this far you’ve completed topic #1. Give yourself a pat on the back. Then move on to Topic #2: GMail.

If you have questions, comments or problems using JJML Learning Path, please please put them in the comments section at the end of the lesson to which your question pertains.