Using Technology for Outreach

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Using Technology for Outreach
(Its not that difficult.)
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Electronic resources and the Internet are
expected ways of getting and presenting
information. Your librarys web site should be
promoted as a portal to these resources.
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www.anoka.lib.mn.us
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www.duluth.lib.mn.us
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www.ramsey.lib.mn.us/homework.htm
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www.hclib.org/teens/homework.html
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www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/remote.htm
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General Reference Center Gold
You have content!
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The Catalog!
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Selected Web Sites
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Community Web Sites
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IT makes it work.
IT staff maintain and develop our virtual
reference desks (not to mention our computers!).
Information Technology staff are more connected
with public service than ever. IT is no longer
just behind the scenes.
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Do you know your librarys web master? Are
you partners (content expert technology
expert)? Do you plan together for content, web
presence, clarity and simplicity? How can you
help IT help you?
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Reality Check Equipment The only thing it does
reliably is not work reliably!
Always, always test the equipment on-site prior
to the program! This takes extra time, but its
well worth it.
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Lobby for a laptop (with CD) and projector
specifically for Outreach purposes. About a 5000
investment. Create folders on the Laptop
containing presentations and other files, for
each person who will be doing outreach.
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Off-Site
No Internet
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Off-Site, No Internet

• Use a laptop, loaded with needed software. Save
  presentation to C drive or, if you have a CD
  Drive, burned onto a CD. (Floppies are often too
  small.)
• PowerPoint works well in this environment.
• Use a compatible projector (Portable Proxima or
  InFocus brands). Cost around 3500.
• Bring power cords, cabling and extension cord.
• Check with site for a screen or white wall.
• Test the set up prior to use! ! ! !

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Off-Site
Live Internet
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Off-Site, Live Internet

• The site typically must have its own in-house
  Internet connection. Why?
• Your laptop may or may not have a modem.
• Even if it does, your library probably does not
  subscribe to an ISP to which you could dial-in.
• Even if your library does subscribe to an ISP,
  doing an Internet presentation at "modem" speeds
  is usually unsatisfactory.
• Your laptop may not have a network interface
  card.
• Even if it does, it is configured for your home
  library network and won't connect to the site
  network without an IT person modifying the
  settings.

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Checklist -- Using your own equipment
Have you spoken directly to the person who sets
up the room?
Is there a screen or white, clean wall to use as
a screen?
Is AC power accessible (2 outlets)?
Is your presentation loaded and tested on the
laptop?
Do you have all of the necessary cables and cords?
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. . . Using your own equipment
Do you have an extension cord?
Will a small table be set up for the equipment on
site?
Can you arrange a visit prior to the event?
Do you have a back-up plan (printed version of
presentation) Handouts?
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Checklist -- Using their equipment
Are they providing Internet access? What speed?
Is everything you want to demonstrate accessible
through your librarys public web page?
Do you need a dummy barcode to access any
databases?
Do you want to have a colleague keyboard?
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. . . Using their equipment
Can you e-mail the PowerPoint presentation to a
contact who can load it onto their hard drive?
If not, does their computer have a CD drive?
Do they have a PC or Mac environment? Is it
compatible with your CD?

Can you visit the contact person/tech person on
site prior to the program?
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Davids 1 Slide, 2-Bit PowerPoint Lesson
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Animations Select Custom Animation from Slide
Show menu.
Insert Pictures from File or Clip Art.
These 5 icons offer different views of
the presentation.
Same Draw tools as you use in Word.
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Custom Animation Menu
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Alt - Print Screen Use for screen
captures. PrintKey freeware. Use for cropping
and pasting web images. (Search Google under
Printkey)
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On-Line Tutorials

• Hennepin County Library (www.hclib.org)
• SeniorLinks -- Mouse Practice
• ProQuest -- Interactive Searching Lesson
• TILT Texas Information Literacy Tutorial
• http//tilt.lib.utsystem.edu/

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Review

• You have content!
• Work with you IT department.
• Dedicate equipment to Outreach and learn to use
  it.
• Plan for equipment problems.
• Communicate thoroughly with the site you are
  visiting. Try for a dry run prior to the date.
• Learn PowerPoint!

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Thank You
David Lane dlane_at_hclib.org Hennepin County
Library 2001