BlogJunction Connecticut » Web technology

Data Visualization with CT Library Statistics

Tom Newman — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:13:31 +0000

Good data visualization is becoming an important tool for libraries in evaluation and advocacy. Try out Data Visualization with Connecticut Public Library Statistics available now on WebJunction Connecticut. This resource (still in an experimental stage) takes advantage of Tableau Public, a free web-based tool, with Connecticut library statistics to allow the user to create their own charts and tables using the filter tools available. Give it a try!

Website Survey Results Posted

Tom Newman — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:39:37 +0000

95 public libraries completed a recent website survey to determine how the libraries are producing their websites and whether they are satisfied with the results. A summary of the survey results is available as a PDF. The Division of Library Development will be examining the detailed results in order to help make some future recommendations on how public libraries can improve their web presence.

CT Public Library Website Survey

Tom Newman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:00:06 +0000

The Division of Library Development at the State Library is conducting a survey to find out how public libraries in Connecticut are creating and maintaining their library websites. We are asking for those staff who are directly responsible for the public library’s main website to answer our questions on this survey. The survey should take about 10 minutes to fill out.

The deadline is Friday, April 5. Afterward we will share the results, but no libraries will be identified in what we share.

The results of this survey will help us determine what is working and what is not working for libraries as they maintain their web presence. Eventually we hope to provide some best practices and suggest some good options for libraries looking to improve this service. Thanks for your assistance.

If you have questions about the survey, contact either:

Dawn La Valle, dawn.lavalle@ct.gov
Steve Cauffman, stephen.cauffman@ct.gov
Tom Newman, tom.newman@ct.gov

TSL: Making the Choice: Mobile Solutions for Your Library

Kris — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:00:53 +0000

In order to assist libraries to have a mobile presence useful to, and used by, their customers, TSLAC is initiating a program to provide subsidies to TexShare member libraries to develop or upgrade their mobile presence. The first step for any library wanting to have a mobile presence is to determine the best approach for its customers and community.

This training will explore the different mobile strategies for libraries, cover the pros and cons of each approach, and outline the considerations for deciding on a strategy such as cost, implementation time, staffing resources, and community characteristics.

Thursday, December 13, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: TSL: Making the Choice: Mobile Solutions for Your Library

TechSoup: Cloud Computing: Benefits and Barriers for Nonprofits & Libraries

Kris — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:00:07 +0000

TechSoup Global recently released the findings from our 2012 Global NGO Cloud Survey, which collected more than 10,500 responses from nonprofits, libraries, and NGOs from 88 countries around the world.

This is the first technology survey of NGOs and libraries worldwide and provides a baseline for their readiness to take advantage of new cloud-based technologies.

Please join us for a webinar featuring Patrick Callihan, executive director of NPower PA and npCloud, to talk about our survey findings. He’ll discuss the primary motivations and barriers that nonprofits, libraries, and NGOs have for moving their IT to the cloud.

The survey’s surprising results will enable the NGO sector to make more informed decisions about cloud computing adoption. It will also help capacity-building organizations, funders, corporate donors, and partners develop programs that maximize the potential of these technologies.

Please join us to find out how your nonprofit or library can take advantage of what is happening in the field of cloud computing.

Thursday, October 11, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: TechSoup: Cloud Computing: Benefits and Barriers for Nonprofits & Libraries

September Archived Webinars

Kris — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 06:00:55 +0000

The following September library webinars have been archived and are now available for viewing.

ALA: Making the Election Connection

GLA: Circulating Ideas: Creating a Personal Learning Network for Librarians

GLA: 23 Things: The Next Generation

InfoPeople: Successful Librarians Share Their Stories of Career Growth

InfoPeople: Teens, Tweens and Social Networking

InfoPeople: The Mobile Revolution and Libraries: An Overview

NLC: RDA: Are We There Yet?

OCLC: Best Small Library in America 2012

OCLC: Engaging Your Whole Community: Principles and Practice to Influence Policy

O’Reilly: Designing for Mobile First

Kris — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:00:24 +0000

For years, most Web teams have designed for the desktop. Mobile, if it even happened, was a port off the desktop version, designed and built before anyone even considered the mobile experience. This made perfect sense for a while. Browsing the Web on mobile phones was painful; carriers controlled access to the Web on their devices; and mobile network speeds made everything often grind to a halt. Designing for mobile first can not only open up new opportunities for growth, it can lead to a better overall user experience for a Web site or application.

In this webcast presentation we will dig into the three key reasons to consider mobile first:

*Mobile is seeing explosive growth
*Mobile forces you to focus
*Mobile extends your capabilities

Thursday, July 12, 2012
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: O’Reilly: Designing for Mobile First

PLA: Managing Traditional & Social Media for Libraries

Kris — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:16 +0000

For public library staff, dealing with the media can sometimes be rewarding, sometimes frustrating, sometimes exciting, sometimes daunting… but always necessary. PLA’s free webinar, “Managing Traditional & Social Media for Libraries,” covers the fundamentals of media planning and outreach—including social media—to prepare you to work with the media and generate attention that will support your library’s activities and advocacy efforts.

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
*State the importance of media outreach in relationship to advocacy
*Identify the difference between “traditional media” and “social media”
*List the six key steps involved in traditional media outreach
*Identify at least four key concepts to remember when they speak to (“pitch”) the media about their library
*Recognize at least three keys to success to preparing and delivering a media interview
*Describe what is Turning the Page 2.0 and how this advocacy planning program can serve as a larger context for your media activities

Who Should Attend:
Librarians new to working with the media or those who would like a refresher

Thursday, May 31, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: PLA: Managing Traditional & Social Media for Libraries

OCLC: Cloud Computing 101

Kris — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:05 +0000

“Cloud computing” seems to be all the rage, but what actually is it? This overview presentation will explain what cloud computing offers libraries, how libraries are using these services, and what you should consider when thinking about using a cloud service in your library. A distinction between services for end-users and services for organizations will be made, explained, and illustrated, as well as the terms used to describe cloud services. Learn how quick and easy it now is to deploy applications “in the cloud” using tools such as Google Docs, Google App Engine, and Amazon’s Web Services, among others. Resources for further exploration will be included.

*If you require Closed Captioning in order to attend this webinar, please contact Jennifer Peterson by February 3 petersoj@oclc.org.

Thursday, February 9, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m
Onnline

For additional details and registration information visit: WJ: Cloud Computing 101

TechSoup: App it Up!

Kris — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:37 +0000

In this free, one-hour webinar, we will share valuable information regarding creating and using apps in libraries and nonprofits. Thanks to a grant from Microsoft, TechSoup’s App it Up project has enabled us to learn about the kinds of apps nonprofits and libraries are using to engage constituents, tell stories, and accomplish their goals. Discover popular apps you can put to use right now. Listen in when Shawn Michael of NPower explains how her organization effectively uses apps. Find out how to develop and deploy an “app-propriate” strategy when we share tips and lessons learned on the entire process of developing apps.

Thursday, January 19, 2012
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: TechSoup: App it Up!