Welcome to Broadband Now - introduce yourself!

[Elliot Harmon]

Hi all,

Wow! It's quite a group we've assembled here. As I write this, there are 85 members in the Broadband Now group. Among names I recognize, I see librarians, trainers, and folks involved with national and regional networks. It's an exciting group.

Unfortunately... no one's talking yet. I thought I'd try and break the ice with a quick invitation to introduce yourself. If you have a moment, reply to this email with:

1. Your name
2. What you do
3. What your organization has to do with broadband.
4. What you would like to learn from this group.
5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience, anything!)

To get the ball rolling, I'll start.

1. Your name
Elliot Harmon

2. What you do
I'm a staff writer at TechSoup Global. I'm an accidental techie with a background in literature and theatre.

3. What your organization has to do with broadband.
For the past five months, TechSoup has been working on a study to better understand the needs, challenges, and strategies of the community of BTOP-funded projects and organizations. In the next few days, we'll be unveiling a new website full of ideas and resources for public computing.

4. What you would like to learn from this group.
There are a lot of things I'd like to learn from this group.
How can you get inexpensive Internet access, both for your own labs and for the homes of the people you serve?
What's the potential of Microsoft Multipoint Server and similar products for public computing?
How do you tailor a tech training regimen to the community you're trying to reach?
What role do government agencies play? Tribal government? The private sector?

5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience. Anything!)
As I mentioned earlier, we've been working on a project to assemble a wide array of resources. I'm excited to share that, but I'm even more excited to continue to add to it with ideas and feedback from all of you.

Your turn!

Cheers,
Elliot

[Kieran Hixon]

Hi there! 

My name is Kieran and I am a Public Computer Center Trainer for the Colorado State Library.  In Colorado, seventy‐six urban and rural communities will receive new or enhanced Public Computer Centers from BTOP and Gates grants.  I get to be one of three trainers to become errant librarians - training the trainers and the public throughout the state.  I am so excited!  I would love to hear what others are doing and tell you about our ideas.  I want to glean good ideas and best practices and with all the other folks around the country.  I also have this wack idea that we can all share and collaborate on resources.   Shoot the digital divide will look like a small crack in the sidewalk when we get through with it!

Kieran Hixon

--

‎"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children... to leave the world a better place... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emmerson

[Melanie Bell]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Melanie Bell and I'm the Network Administrator for Brighton District Library. With the help of Michigan State University we've received a BTOP grant to purchase 10 new computers. We're working to redesign our current computer space so that we can fit the new machines. We will also be upgrading our wireless system to better support the laptop users that enter our building.  We currently offer free computer classes on a quarterly basis and an open lab every week. We are working on putting together some screencast tutorials for home users. I'm interested in ways of getting the computer classes out in the community, as well as ways to get and keep volunteer trainers, recommendations for wireless setups (currently looking into wifidog), any experience with the AWE systems, any procedural issues people have run into with the BTOP grants, and any other good ideas out there. I'm more than willing to share our handouts for our classes, how we setup our training lab (ten laptops) and really any other information people are interested in. I'm a strong believer in building from others experience instead of reinventing the wheel.


Melanie Bell
Network Administrator
Brighton District Library
810.229.6571 ext 205

[Jeff Saunders]

Hello,

1. My name is Jeff Saunders

2. I am a graduate student in the MLIS program at Florida State University and a Research Associate at the Information Use Management and Policy Institute (Information Institute) which is a research institute primarily interested in information program evaluation and policy.

3. Right now we are working on two needs assessment projects for the North Florida Broadband Authority (NFBA) and Florida Rural Broadband Alliance (FRBA) who got their grant through BTOP. The aim of these two orgnaizations is too build a middle mile network to facilitate last mile internet service providers to connect currently unconnected rural anchor institutions (things like schools, libraries, hospitals).

4. What I am most interested in getting out of this group is finding out what other organizations in other states are doing with their BTOP money and what problems they may be running into trying to expand broadband to rural areas.

5. Our projects won't fully be completed until september but I would love to share our preliminary findings and what we will be learning about broadband needs in rural Florida and how it might compare to the situation in other states. 

 

Jeff Saunders  

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 4:22 PM, Elliot Harmon <elliot...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Crystal Schimpf]

Hi Everyone,

My names is Crystal Schimpf, and I am a Public Computer Center Trainer
with the Colorado State Library. I work with a team of people who are
all dedicated to the BTOP project in Colorado: Bridging Colorado's
Great Digital Divide. There are 50 organizations (mostly libraries)
across the state who partnered together with the State Library for
this project. Each organization has taken ownership of at least one
Public Computer Center, for a grand total of 76 centers across the
state.

I will be working with all of the BTOP locations in Northeastern
Colorado to provide training for staff and instruction for the public.
Many of these locations are in small, rural communities, and a few are
larger urban areas, but they all need increased access to broadband.

I would like to learn more about what other places are doing to train
staff, design curricula, and develop public instructional programs. I
am looking for ways to innovate library instructional services so they
can adapt to the rapid changes in technology. I would like to share my
experiences with tech training and the BTOP grant, as well as my
enthusiasm!

I think we all learn from one another, so I am happy to be a part of
this group!

-Crystal Schimpf
cry...@coloradovirtuallibrary.org
http://www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/btop/
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/index.htm

[Sheila]

My name is Sheila Kearns and I am the Technology Services Librarian at the Vermont Dept. of Libraries (aka the State Library)

 

Our department is participating in two BTOP grants: an adoption grant that includes libraries in about 20 towns, and an infrastructure grant that will include 53 Vermont libraries in the footprint of a new fiber network. We are not lead partners on either grant, so we are working within plans that are being directed by other organizations. I work mostly on the infrastructure grant.

 

I am already learning from this group by looking at the materials that some have posted and sharing them with my colleagues who are doing consulting in the field. I am also hoping to connect with folks who may also be working on infrastructure project to explore the issue of sustainability.

 

In addition to the BTOP grant we also have a sustainabily grant from the Gates Foundation and I would like to share whatever we are able to do with that.

[shar...@poklib.org]

> *1. Your name*
> Stephanie Harrison
>
> *2. What you do*
> I am the Public Computer Center Director for the Poughkeepsie Public
Library District in Poughkeepsie, NY

> *3. What your organization has to do with broadband.*
> We are a recipient of a BTOP grant through the NY State Library System.
Our programs have been operational since September 2010. We offer
workshops on topics such as Job Searching, Resume Writing &
Interviewing; Microsoft Office; Social Networking; and PC Basics & Basic
Internet. We also offer an open computer lab for individualized help.

> *4. What you would like to learn from this group.*
> Best practices in general, ideas for new workshops, ideas for online
training tutorials for our patrons, tracking success stories. I look
forward to having a place to come to for help when I need advice or am
generally stumped about something!
>
> *5. What you'd like to share with this group.
> Since our program has been running for about six months, I can share
what we have learned so far about what does and doesn't work for us.

[Jessi]

Hey all,

My name is Jessi Jaramillo and I'm a Public Computer Center Trainer in
Greene, NY.

I happened to stumble across this group on TechSoup and I'm so glad I
did. I'm all for sharing best practices, learning how others work
through challenges, sharing ideas for new classes and better outreach,
and just getting some general feedback.

We're one of those BTOP projects and now offer free computer classes
and wifi access in a computer lab at Moore Memorial Library. Classes
range from Internet and Computer Basics, Intro to Facebook and
Twitter, managing digital photos, and Basics of Word, Excel etc. We
recently started a series just for seniors, too. Like most everyone
else, this is also a small and very rural community.

I'm the web/social media guru at this PCC - so if you have any
questions, feel free to ask.

Also, follow us http://twitter.com/MoorePCC
and if you didn't know, there is a #btop hashtag!

[Mary Jo Torgeson]

1. Your name: Mary Jo Torgeson
2. What you do: Public Library Director in a community of 39K
3. What your organization has to do with broadband.: We have received a
2 year grant to augment classes in our lab and to improve our lab. We
teach basic classes (Internet basics and Word). We hope to teach new
classes for young adults (17-25) who need help with resume and career
exploration and folks that have work experience but need to know about
social networking and safety.
4. What you would like to learn from this group.: I have a list, dare I
share it???

--sharing of class curriculum, including in spanish

--basic internet curriculum, including some discussion about social
networking

--job description for a computer lab coordinator

--class ideas including class objectives and topics to be covered

--can anyone recommend a keyboard product that would work on networked
computers

5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas,

experience, anything!) We are happy to share an electronic version of
our basic computer and word classes. Folks could cut/paste from what we
have done.

[Lori Bowen Ayre]

Since so many of you have stated that you are involved in teaching computer and Internet competency and basic skills, I wanted to make sure you know about the archived workshop material available at Infopeople.org.  This group did a TON of what you are describing for years (and now have moved a bit more into soft skills development). But there are some great resources there: exercises, instructor PPT, handouts.

It's all available here:  http://infopeople.org/training/past/index.html

They also archive all of the webinars they deliver and have more webinars coming up (which are available to anyone).  The workshops themselves are for California library folk only but all the webinars, webinar archives and "past training material" is up for grabs for anyone!

Lori

--

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Lori Bowen Ayre // Library Technology Consultant

The Galecia Group // www.galecia.com

(707) 763-6869 // Lori...@galecia.com

Specializing in open source ILS solutions, RFID, filtering, 

workflow optimization, and materials handling 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

[John Dunleavy]

1. Your name - John Dunleavy

2. What you do - I'm a technical trainer working with Deaf adults in Maine (the SignNet Program).

3. What your organization has to do with broadband.  - The agency I work for, Alpha One, is a center for independent living.  We work with people with disabilities throughout Maine. I'm Deaf myself and bilingual, with a technical background, and my focus for some time now has been on promoting the spread of communications technology - especially videophones - among Maine's Deaf population.  Videophones need broadband, which is scarce and expensive in most parts of this state.  So...

4. What you would like to learn from this group.  - What you all are doing in your parts of the country, in all areas: expanding broadband, leveraging its use, teaching users, etc.

5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience, anything!) - I'll happily share what I learn and what I develop.  I had about 20 years in IT before sliding (sideways!) into independent living; my house is crammed with assorted tech (info and adaptive); and my wife is (usually) happy to have her own personal support tech around.

[Donci Bardash]

Good morning, BTOP community,

 

1. Your name

My name is Donci Bardash.

2. What you do

I am the Project Director for Montana State Library's public compter center BTOP grant.  Check out our project at
http://msl.mt.gov/btop/

 

3. What your organization has to do with broadband.

Our project involves enhancing 43 public library computer centers across Montana, including:

- Providing new and replacement computer equipment, desktops, laptops, ADA-cpmliant peripherals and software, printers, routers, switches, furniture

- Upgrading broadband speeds at some participating libraries

- Assisting libraries with getting the most our of their Erate participation

- Increasing public awareness of computer centers through partnerships and outreach

- Providing training to library staff and the general public on ever-growing Internet-based resources

- much, much more!

 

4. What you would like to learn from this group.

I see this group as a brainstorming and problem-solving resource.  We are particularly interested in Erate (compliance issues, etc) and training resources.

5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience, anything!)

I look forward to sharing any requested resources (as time permits)

[Dave]

Hello all,
*1. Your name
Dave Sloan
2. What you do
Retired Army. Volunteer at the Wayne County Genealogical Society
library.

3. What your organization has to do with broadband.

Potential user.

4. What you would like to learn from this group.

Who and how could we get inexpensive BB.

5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas,
experience,

anything!)* I am just starting to look at how to get BB at the
library without it costing to much.

Thanks,
Dave Sloan

On Feb 9, 4:22 pm, Elliot Harmon <elliothar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Wow! It's quite a group we've assembled here. As I write this, there are 85
> members in the Broadband Now group. Among names I recognize, I see
> librarians, trainers, and folks involved with national and regional
> networks. It's an exciting group.
>
> Unfortunately... no one's talking yet. I thought I'd try and break the ice
> with a quick invitation to introduce yourself. If you have a moment, reply
> to this email with:
>

> *1. Your name

> 2. What you do
> 3. What your organization has to do with broadband.
> 4. What you would like to learn from this group.
> 5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience,

> anything!)*

>
> To get the ball rolling, I'll start.
>

> *1. Your name*
> Elliot Harmon
>
> *2. What you do*

> I'm a staff writer at TechSoup Global. I'm an accidental techie with a
> background in literature and theatre.
>

> *3. What your organization has to do with broadband.*

> For the past five months, TechSoup has been working on a study to better
> understand the needs, challenges, and strategies of the community of
> BTOP-funded projects and organizations. In the next few days, we'll be
> unveiling a new website full of ideas and resources for public computing.
>

> *4. What you would like to learn from this group.*

> There are a lot of things I'd like to learn from this group.
> How can you get inexpensive Internet access, both for your own labs and for
> the homes of the people you serve?
> What's the potential of Microsoft Multipoint Server and similar products for
> public computing?
> How do you tailor a tech training regimen to the community you're trying to
> reach?
> What role do government agencies play? Tribal government? The private
> sector?
>

> *5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience.
> Anything!)*

[Freedom Rings SBA]

1. Peter Kiliani
2. Project Director
3. Freedom Rings SBA Initiative, Philadelphia, PA
4. Challenges and opportunities, plus best practices
5. Any SBA-ers out there grappling with definitions on the BTOP PPR
forms, I'd like to hear from you!