[OPLINTECH] Question about trends

[Travis McAfee]

We are a mid-sized independent public library and the trends I’ve noticed over the last few years are:

-Public computer use is down slightly.
-Demand for knowledgeable support of consumer owned technology has increased dramatically.  Patrons want to practice BYOD into our building and be able to get answers from a staff member for more than just, “How do I connect to your WiFi?”.

We instituted a one-on-one program called “Mondays with Doug” about three years ago.  We allow patrons to sign up for a 30 minute session with a technology specialist where they can get guidance a wide array of topics (their choice, and it ranges from FitBits, to advice on a Windows 10 upgrade, to help with attaching documents to an email, and much more).    We have around 12 slots available every Monday.  When Doug left us patrons let us know  the program couldn’t be cancelled and now we have “Mondays with Kara.”

It was originally meant to be a triage attempt to help our librarians with tough questions they couldn’t answer during a busy shift, but now it’s not uncommon for us to be booked solid for 2 or more weeks in advance.

On other programming fronts, computer classes are not in nearly the same amount of demand as they were 5 years ago, but I can occasionally draw around 80 people to an Intro to iPads workshop.

We haven’t had much success circulating mobile stuff (like laptops or Kindles) but we’ve had a LOT of success helping people who own their own.

Travis McAfee
Systems Administrator
Way Public Library
101 E. Indiana Ave.
Perrysburg, OH  43551

Voice:  (419) 874-3135 x103
Fax:     (419) 874-6129
Email:   travis.mcafee at waylibrary.info<mailto:travis.mcafee at waylibrary.info>
Web:  http://www.waylibrary.info<http://www.waylibrary.info/>

From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Laura Solomon
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2015 7:41 AM
To: oplintech at lists.oplin.org
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Question about trends

Here's a question:

What do you think are the most important 3-5 tech trends in libraries (any kind, not necessarily just public) right now?


--
Laura Solomon, MCIW, MLS
Library Services Manager, Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
(614) 752-0792 (voice) | (614) 728-5256 (fax)
laura at oplin.org<mailto:laura at oplin.org> |http://www.oplin.org/<http://www.oplin.org>
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