Technology Petting Zoo

Format: Meeting Room

Learning how to use new gadgets is always a challenge. The challenge is even greater for library staff who are called upon to help customers with their devices! Add to that the fear factor of not being able to figure it out on the spot or possibly breaking it and it's easy to understand why some of us become technophobes.

• Do you wonder what all the fuss is about when people go on and on about their iPhones or Blackberries?
• Are you wondering why the Kindle seems to be catching on when none of the other e-book readers have?
• Would you like to be able to easily shoot short videos and post them on YouTube
• Are you uncomfortable when library customers ask questions about or seek help with new mobile devices and applications?

It's hard to make time in a busy library to learn about and experiment with new technology. Nothing helps more than having an opportunity to spend a little one-on-one time with some of the current favorites including the Kindle, iPhone, iPod touch, netbooks, flip video cameras and more.

Workshop Description: In this half day hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basic operation of many of the hottest electronic devices on the market and will explore their relevance to libraries. In addition to handling them and learning how to perform basic functions, participants will also learn how to talk to customers about the devices, how to help them with the basics and steer them to help if the staff member can't provide it.

Preliminary Course Outline

• Overcoming the Fear of Learning a New Device
  • Hands on is the only way
  • Learn to reset
• Basic Functions
  • Menu systems
  • Buttons and icons
  • Forward and Back
• Connectivity
  • Input and Output
  • What cords do I need?
  • Do I need an account?
  • Is it dangerous to the library's computers?
• Supporting the Public
  • Where to find help
  • The main storage sites for images and video
  • Library applications now and future

The trainer will bring whatever is the most current gaming system. (It's been Rock Band, Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Sports and it's currently Xbox Kinect) If your library is interested in experiencing more then one game, please specify when requesting a workshop that you are interested in gaming.

Please note: A contracting library may opt, at no additional cost, to add a bonus session for the public. This is how the bonus session works: The session typically runs for two hours and goes from 2 to 4pm. At least 3 staff people will be needed to staff the public session. There is no formal program for the public, they are invited to come in and explore the devices in the technology petting zoo. Library staff have the opportunity to immediately apply what they have learned in the workshop, under the supervision of the Infopeople trainer. This is both a great learning opportunity for staff and a wonderful PR opportunity for the library.

Who Should Attend: Anyone from the California library community with an interest in getting comfortable with electronic devices and supporting the public using them.

Prerequisites: None

Check-in: 8:30 to 9:00 AM Instruction: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

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