1. This Just In: Highlighting New E-Resources via a Digital Display Jessica L. Howard, Waidner-Spahr Library, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
Summary
For years eye-catching book and DVD displays have highlighted new and topical items in the Library collection. As our collections expand, a physical display no longer captures the range of available resources. We created a simple digital display, using technology already available to us – an iMAC and PowerPoint slides. This low-cost, low-tech solution showcases new e-resources alongside print displays, and encourages patrons to think of the collection beyond the print materials.
Increase in e-resource (e-book & streaming) collections
Digital media collections (e-books, streaming films, streaming music) have grown significantly over the last 15 years. The number of available e-resources (including purchases, subscriptions, and DDA discovery records) first exceeded print holdings of comparable materials (books, DVDs, videotapes, and CDs) around 2012.
Print book & media displays Traditional library displays—which we still actively curate—include new books and DVDs, as well as items on timely topics (e.g. Black History Month, topics in the news, and books by visiting speakers).
E-resources display content
Items selected by library staff
E-books and streaming media from available owned, subscription, and DDA content
Subjects from across disciplines
Interesting book covers or images for display
E-resources display specifications
Hardware: 27’ iMAC (un-networked) from pool of retired staff computers; processor/screen integration streamlines display.
Software: PowerPoint slideshow loops continuously; 15 slides each display for 15 seconds; new slideshow swapped in 6-8 times per year; template created and populated by library student assistant.
Scripts: Workflows created* in Apple Automator to shut down and restart computer daily and launch PowerPoint.
Assessment
Track titles in Excel spreadsheet including vendor, access model, and display dates.
Informal survey of users at display launch received positive feedback. Request for written feedback in part to see if library users noticed the sign.
No clear increase in use of featured titles. May result from several factors:
No direct path from the display to book access; users must take step of searching catalog. QR code data from other library programs reveal low use.
Limitations of e-book platforms (DRM) make leisure reading unlikely.
Small percentage of titles featured.
Low cost and time commitment still make this a good way to highlight our growing collections of e-resources.
*Thanks to Chuck Steel, Technical Lead for Emerging Technologies at Dickinson College, for making this work.
PowerPoint slide for a streaming film
Digital display highlights a new e-book
Apple Automator
Quit PowerPoint workflow
Open PowerPoint workflow