Continuing the work of the

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Continuing the work of the Bill Melinda Gates
Foundation Presented to Pennsylvania Library
Association Presented by Jeff Stauffer Product
Manager - WebJunction Date October 3, 2003
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Background

• The Bill Melinda Gates Foundations U.S.
  Library Program
• 46,000 computers
• 11,000 libraries in the United States and Canada
• Five-year initiative
• Targeting public libraries serving less-affluent
  communities
• May 2002 Gates Foundation awarded OCLC a
  three-year grant
• Purpose
• Carry forward the Foundations work
• Build a Web-based, public access computing portal

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The Mission

• Build an online community for public access
  computing
• Support front-line staff at libraries, CTCs, and
  other organizations
• Create a forum for collaborative knowledge and
  experience sharing
• Focus on information technology policy and
  practice

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The Partners

• OCLC, Online Computer Library Center
• The Colorado State Library
• The Benton Foundation
• Isoph
• TechSoup

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The First Step Research

• Conducted Needs Assessment of
• Local librarians
• State/provincial libraries
• Regional cooperative staff
• Questions
• Do you need a technology portal?
• What should the portal include?

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The First Step Research

• Focus groups
• 12 states, over 150 people
• Electronic surveys
• 2,200 respondents in US (43 states) and Canada
  (all provinces)
• Various tribal communities
• 22 state/provincial librarians helped out!
• Extensive Gates Foundation input
• Site visits to 13 libraries
• Literature review

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A Cry for Help

• we dont have the funding to attract,
  compensate or retain staff who are expert in the
  computing and training issues
• our biggest problem is finding someone who
  understands technology but we will NEVER be
  able to pay such a person what he or she is
  worth

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Research Conclusions

• The public access community wants help with
• Staff training
• Setting policies
• Management and planning
• Technical education and support (software,
  hardware, internet, networking, etc., etc.)
• Funding and sustainability
• Building public access capacity

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Site Overview

• Policies and Practices Guidance on technology
  planning, acceptable use policies, accessibility
  issues, as well as fundraising and marketing
  strategies
• Technology Resources Practical tips, tools and
  information to help with computer and Internet
  issues in your public access computing program
• Buying Guide Information about buying discounted
  hardware and software for your library, as well
  as reviews of products
• Learning Center online courses, downloadable
  lessons, training tips and other tools
• Community Center message boards, best practices,
  awards program, community networking, peer advice

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Other Features
Search the Site
Registration
User contributions
Changing Features
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Homepage
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Policies and Practices

• Guidance on technology planning, acceptable use
  policies, accessibility issues, fundraising, and
  marketing strategies

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Technology Resources
Practical tips, tools and information to help
with computer and Internet issues in your public
access computing program
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Buying Guide
Information about buying discounted hardware and
software for your library, as well as reviews of
products
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Learning Center
Online courses, downloadable lessons, training
tips and other tools
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Community Center
A place where WebJunction members meet and greet,
discuss issues via the message boards and
personal email, share success stories and advice,
and gain recognition through an awards program
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Registration / Sign-In / Forget Password
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WHY REGISTER?

• To participate in continuing education courses
• To participate in the Community Forums
• To help us shape the future content and
  functionality
• Connect with other members via the Member
  Directory
• Receive Crossroads monthly electronic newsletter

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NPower Tools
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PAComputing.org
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Status

• Launched Version 1.0 - May 12, 2003
• Legislative Day at the Library of Congress in
  Washington D.C.
• ALA/CLA in Toronto
• Over 3,000 members in less than 3 months
• Course catalog 25 online courses
• Highly active message board community
• Community is contributing content daily
• Publishing monthly electronic newsletter,
  Crossroads
• Weekly content updates
• Beginning to work in more detail with
  State/Provincial Libraries to advance the next
  versions functionality centered around
  subscriptions (i.e.. Customization)

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What does it mean for individual library staff?

• Connect and share information with a wide network
  of similar individuals and/or libraries
• Receive updated content regarding technology in a
  central location
• Take advantage of learning opportunities
• Individuals will not be charged for access to the
  site, groups such as states will provide access

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How to get involved

• Register today
• Review the eLearning opportunities
• Become part of our evaluation team
• Join in the forum discussions on All Aboard
• Apply for a WebJunction Award (or nominate
  someone else!)
• Receive our monthly newsletter, Crossroads
• Network with other community members
• Submit articles, newsletter, or content
  suggestions
• Volunteer to be a WebJunction trainer or guest
  editor

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Wed like to hear from you

• Have you heard about WJand if so, where and
  when?
• Have you visited the site?
• What did you find useful?
• What did you like?
• What could be improved?
• New ideas?

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For more information

• Marilyn Mason
• Program Director
• Phone [phone]
• Email masonm_at_oclc.org
• Jeff Stauffer
• Product Manager, WebJunction
• Phone [phone]
• Email stauffej_at_oclc.org
• OR visit the Contact Us page on WebJunction !!!