Projects

I am very interested in developing library programs either with games or with gaming principles

This will be a very interesting avenue for libraries as we move into a future where games and mobile technologies become ubiquitous.

I designed and created a digital library using Drupal

The digital library at the CFL was the largest project I developed and refined while I was there. Originally, reprints and other digital documents were stored on the local network and could only be searched if proprietary software was installed on each individual’s computer. I created a digital library using Drupal and several contributed modules.

I have developed and am supervising students as they develop several advanced staff trainings.

In addition, I have given forums and webinars on technology for libraries.

I have a strong interest in marketing and assessment and have developed several marketing documents.

Marketing and assessment go together. I have designed several promotional materials using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and I am constantly working to incorporate social media and new media into promotional efforts.

Library Layout Redesign

The easiest way to develop new projects for the library is merely to ask the patrons what they want. During a brainstorming session at the library several people expressed interest in adding a reading space to the library. Previously, the only available space was filled by a couple of rows of computers. Following the requests of patrons, I reorganized the computer area, removed a large scanner that was seldom used along with a table holding generic “quick guides” to software that had been replaced, and added a few chairs to form a library reading space.

I guess patrons know themselves, because the first morning after chairs were delivered I walked in to find graduate students lounging, reading some periodicals and working on their laptops. Later, a professor gave an interview in the library. Since then, the open computer space has more regular users than previous semesters.

Material Accessibility

After patron feedback, my next concern is always access to materials. After all, what use are library materials if no one uses them. The limnology library over time acquired a large collection of reprints. They were seldom used, so I created a digital library using Drupal that gave access over the web. Here’s a quick look at the process I took in developing the project

Building Community with Technology

I have designed a couple of projects that integrate new technologies with libraries. These are great ways to build a strong community following to the libraries that can lead to some new opportunities. I have designed several screencasts that can serve as staff training.

I took the idea of using videos as tutorials and expanded the idea into a staff training blog that is embedded with short Jing videos uploaded into Youtube.

Here’s a Jing video that answers a question about a paper on Medieval Islam.