In my new role as Wi-Fi Project Officer with the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC) I attended the December meeting in Glasgow of Digital Champions in Libraries. This is a network of delegates representing the 32 public library services, focussing on delivering digital initiatives.
There were several excellent presentations during the day from colleagues in public libraries as well as from our partners in the Scottish Government, and I could easily expand this post to five times its word count if I were to summarise them.
What I really found most inspiring though was the enthusiasm for the continuing development of digital participation, not only as a means to promote our own library digital resources such as eBooks, eAudio and eMagazines, but also to be proactive and creative in using new technology to engage with users.
From tablet taster sessions, and yes at least one library gave their customers the opportunity to sample the condensed milk version as well as the digital one, to more in-depth one-to-one sessions helping users to set up email accounts, book flights, face-time family across the world and participate in social media.
I was fascinated to hear of libraries using green screen technology to add another dimension to storytelling, others exploring potential uses for Digi-Tables, and even a couple investigating the possibilities that 3D printers offer.
To fully develop these brilliant activities, and many more, it is essential that libraries provide the best possible environment, including high quality WiFi. A significant part of my role is to investigate and report on good practice in WiFi provision in Scottish public libraries which will see me ‘on tour’ in January and February 2015, taking advantage of our temperate winter months! If my fingers don’t succumb to frostbite I’ll report on my progress with updates from my tablet, via library WiFi of course.
* To read about Iain's adventures please visit his blog -
http://scottishlibrarieswifi.org/
Last modified on 22 January 2020
