NEFLIN 13: Engaging the Next Generation of Library Users Through Innovative Technology

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This session focuses on unique innovative technologies that are readily available on the market and rolling out in the future. Engage the next generation of users by allowing these technologies to position your library as a community anchor that can provide homework assistance, social growth, and exploration of reading. Get a sense and feel for new age technology and feel confident that you can bring these new gadgets into your community to increase circulation, patron usage, or offer more programs. Through this, you will allow your patrons to learn through discovery, interaction, and collaboration and turn them into permanent library users.

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Engaging The Next Generation Of Library Users Through Innovative Technologies

--Brian Pichman

NEFLIN Technology Conference 2013: Wednesday, June 19th 2013 | 11AM

TechnologyDon’t Be Afraid To Fail.Be Afraid Not To Try.

Why should we engage our next generation of library users?Engage Your Users

Social Media• Use the tools

your users use• Communicate

on their level• These are your

#1 Marketing Tools

How to talk to next generationAsk these things out of the blue. • Books

• Ask them their thoughts• Suggestions for collection• Recommend other reads

• Computing• Ask them what games they want to see• Ask them about what technology they want to play with

• Programming• Ask them what programs they like.

• Socially• Ask how they are doing.

• Homework Help• Offer ways to help them on assignments. Bring them snacks and beverages.

Positive reinforcement.

• Remind patrons a library can be more than just “books”

Staff Communication• Get Them Involved In Your Library• Tech• Books• Stories

• Get “resident” experts• Cooking• Computing• Fishing…• AND LET THE PATRONS KNOW WHICH STAFF ARE

EXPERTS ON SPECIFIC HOBBIES

Something UniqueOak Park Public Library

Create new spacesCreate different and new kinds of collections

Re-Branding Your Library

Ubisoft Laser Tag

Score Keeping, Board Projecting Score Board, Laser Tag Game!Discover New Places In Libraries Through ObjectivesHunger Games style playing.

Gesture Based Computing• More ways to engage patrons• Stand in front of a screen and…• Paint without touching anything• Scroll through pictures or upcoming events• Play Videos without touching anything

• All these things are done by hand movements

Smart Technologies

Smart Table

Sound EggsFun Music Stations

Gaming StationsWheeling and Dealing Game Stations!

Multimedia

Poetry, Music, Video, ArtDigital Content Curation

Encourage creativity

Zombie MovieFilm A Zombie Movie (Cameras and some Face Paint for Your Library)

Allow Things To Circulate

Laptops!Oh Yes You Can!

Zac Browser

Kurio Tablet …. MSRP: $150Cheap TabletLocked DownSecure

Sifteo Cubes …. MSRP: $130-200Interactive Touch CubesNew Learning Game, Spell, Sort, and more!

Sphero Ball …. MSRP: $130Guide Through Library (Follow The Ball)People Approach The Ball – Curiosity

Lego WeDo’s …. Msrp $130Simple, Drag and Drop GUI Based ProgramThere is a nation wide Lego Robotics ContestSoftware: $90.00

Lego Mindstorm …. MSRP $300More Advance ProgrammingThere is a nation wide Lego Robotics ContestSoftware: $80.00

Little BitsMSRP $90 Starter $150 Extended Kit

littleBits is an opensource library of cubes that snap together with tiny magnets.

Tiggly Shapes … MSRP $30Toddler Game, teaches matching shapes with iPad apps

Supporting These Gadgets

• Some Require Laptops

• Refurbished Items are OK!

• Working with IT

• Purchase from discount sites:• 1saleaday.com•Woot.com

• Reach out to Twitter, ask for donations!

Upcoming Technologies

Interactive Bookend• Replacing the traditional “end cap” display• With…

So what do they do?• Book Reviews• Scanned in via QR Codes

• Check Out Books• Search Card Catalog• Search Online Databases• Find Media sources about the book you scanned.

Interactive Library Cards• Put a “Reward System” into the library card• Badges• Prizes• Exclusive Programming / Event registration

• Low Tech:• Print new more colorful library cards, allow patrons to

customize their card with different and increasingly more desired badges – based off books read, programs attended, etc.

• High Tech:• Create Library Cards with screens• Send Messages to card when they are in the library

(wirelessly connected)• Display “reading level” or “badges they own”

Engaging With Your Patrons and TechnologyThis is perhaps the most important take away

You can have the latest and greatest technology and makerspaces, but everything will fall short if you do not encourage your staff to engage with the patrons using your library.

Contact Me

• @bpichman• 815.534.0403• bpichman@evolveproject.o

rg

Brian Pichman

Engage!

More Ideas!

QR Code Link Books to E-BooksFind New ContentScavenger Hunts

Augmented Reality

Open a new dimension in your library. Buy using an app, you can see a new “world” within your physical space.

Mystery Grab Bag

Place books into color themed bags. Barcode number written outside of bag. Allow patrons to check out and take them home.

Holiday Displays

During special holiday periods, find books that are colored the holiday colors (not necessarily about the holiday) and place them on a stand near your end caps.

Miniature Golf

Purchase Cheap Plastic and Foam to setup Paths and fairways with felt. Have it throughout the library, engage the participants through your space.

Other Cool Activities• Library Lockin• Play Games, Watch Movies, Etc.

• Teddy Bear Lockin• Children drop off their stuffed animals, and staff take

pictures with their stuffed animals interacting in the library

• Check Out “Gardening Space”• A library in New York city allows patrons to “check out” a

small plot of land to plant vegetables. Engages the “green thumb” generation with our next generation of library users.

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