Presented by Casey Fox & Tonia Kestner IT and User Instruction for Library Patrons IS 585 Fall 2013

Why should libraries offer user IT instruction? What do our libraries currently offer? What do other libraries offer? What are the specific needs of our patrons? How does a librarian design, implement and evaluate the success of IT workshops? Introduction

Technology has become ubiquitous in daily life and people are constantly having to adapt to it in new places. Providing access to technology is not enough – libraries must provide information to patrons on how to use that technology. Technological literacy is vital to many day-to-day tasks, but it also serves to empower individuals. Article on the modern library’s role as a place of instruction: Learning&id= Learning&id= Why is it Important for Libraries to Offer User Instruction?

Tonia (Glade Spring Library, Glade Spring, VA) Casey (Knox County Public Library, Knoxville, TN) What Kinds of IT Instruction Do Our Libraries Currently Offer?

The classes that KCPL offers are representative of the kinds of classes most small to midsize public libraries offer, but some larger metropolitan library systems offer a wide variety of technology classes to their patrons. Arlington Heights Memorial Library (Chicago, IL) Seattle Public Library (Seattle, WA) New York Public Library (New York, NY) What Other Kinds of IT Instruction Do Public Libraries Across the Country Provide to Their Patrons?

Determine the library’s limitations Determine what kinds of patrons will likely attend classes and identify their most important IT needs. ▫ Distribute questionnaires to users who come to the library to use the computers How Does a Library Determine What Workshops to Offer?

What days and times are best for you to attend a computer class at your library? What are the primary reasons you would like to improve your computer skills? What skills would you like to develop? ▫ ▫ Internet ▫ Job Searching ▫ Creating Documents ▫ Saving Photos ▫ Other Have you ever used a personal computer? How comfortable are you using a personal computer on a scale of 1 to 5? Do you have access to a computer outside of this workshop? Do you have access to the Internet outside of this workshop? Can you turn a computer off and on? Can you use a computer mouse? Do you have an account? Sample Questions for a Basic Computer Skills Survey

Determine the library’s limitations Determine what kinds of patrons will likely attend classes and identify their most important IT needs. Use collected survey results to decide what classes to offer. Advertise classes and provide ways for patrons to sign up in person, over the phone and online. How Does a Library Determine What Workshops to Offer?

Speak with colleagues and other librarians who have developed similar programs. Create a class that will be helpful to different kinds of learners. Be patient and measured, and make sure the students know your primary objective is to help them. Tips on conducting a successful workshop: of-contents/structure/training-and-technical- assistance/workshops/mainhttp://ctb.ku.edu/en/table- of-contents/structure/training-and-technical- assistance/workshops/main Creating and Teaching IT Workshops

When teaching basic computer skills to library patrons, the first objective is to show that computers are nothing to be scared of or overwhelmed by. Image © scaryevilcomputer.com

Obtain patron feedback after each class via discussion and surveys. Evaluate whether the program was successful based on feedback and attendance numbers and explore ways of improving it in the future. Determine next steps with regard to providing access to IT instruction. ▫ Outreach ▫ Online access to recorded classes Evaluations and Experience

Help your patrons see that computers are nothing to fear. A Librarian can be an instructor, and advocate and an interpreter when it comes to user IT instruction.