Re: [Broadband Now] Digest for broadbandnow@googlegroups.com - 6 Messages in 4 Topics
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Bobbi Newman
Feb 10, 2011, 6:22:40 AM2/10/11
to broadb...@googlegroups.com
1. Your name
Bobbi Newman
2. What you do
I'm a librarian in a public library, I'm also an advocate for the role of libraries and the broadband access, the participation gap and other issues related to the digital divide.
3. What your organization has to do with broadband.
I'm involved with several groups within ALA that address issues related to broadband access
4. What you would like to learn from this group.
I'm interested in hearing the issues (and solutions) others are encountering in relation to broadband access and the digital divide
5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience. Anything!)
I spend a lot of time reading about and researching about issues related to broadband access, the digital divide and 21st century literacies. I hope to be able to share information and provide ideas and work towards solutions.
Bobbi
--
Bobbi Newman
On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 1:06 AM, <broadbandn...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Group: http://groups.google.com/group/broadbandnow/topics
- Introduction: Sarah Washburn [1 Update]
- IIntroduction: Lori Bowen Ayre [1 Update]
- Welcome to Broadband Now - introduce yourself! [3 Updates]
- Introduce yourself [1 Update]
Topic: Introduction: Sarah WashburnSarah Washburn <Sa...@techsoupglobal.org> Feb 10 12:27AM ^
1. Your name
Sarah Washburn
2. What you do
I'm the Library Program Manager at TechSoup Global. I manage our web site, TechSoup for Libraries<http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/>, our library-focused webinars, and any special programs we do for libraries.
3. What your organization has to do with broadband.
I'm managing a grant-funded project to learn from BTOP grantees their challenges, resources they've used or need, and whatever else we can do to support them as they implement broadband projects. This project includes both nonprofits and libraries, which is so exciting! Both sectors have so much to offer and also so much to learn from each other. Right now we're finalizing an online resource that is filled with tools and solutions BTOP grantees have requested. I'll share it with the list once the first version is live (it's a work in progress, since the BTOP grants are not yet implemented).
4. What you would like to learn from this group.
I'd love to know more about individual projects, and how TechSoup might help. We're able to gather and create resources like content and webinars, but we're also able to research software and hardware products that are useful for BTOP projects. Based on what we've heard from BTOP grantees, we're hoping to partner with some companies that will donate software, hardware, and services to libraries and nonprofits. The more I understand what libraries and nonprofits need, the better equipped I am to advocate for you, so please chime in on this list!
5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience. Anything!)
I will certainly share events and relevant content with the group, and I can also chime in when I know that someone-like a library or a nonprofit-has an answer or an experience that someone may find useful. To that end, the more folks on this list share their challenges and needs, the better equipped I am to connect you to other BTOP grantees and resources. Consider me a connector. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarah Washburn
Library Program Manager, TechSoup Global<http://www.techsoup.org/index.cfm>
415-633-9428
Twitter: TechSoup4Libs<http://twitter.com/TechSoup4Libs>
--> learn how TechSoup supports libraries: http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org
and keep updated by signing up for our monthly newsletter<https://secure3.convio.net/tsg/site/SSurvey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1300>
Lori Bowen Ayre <lori...@galecia.com> Feb 09 02:52PM -0800 ^
*1. Your name*
Lori Bowen Ayre
*2. What you do*
I'm a library technology consultant. My company name is The Galecia Group.
*3. What your organization has to do with broadband.*
*I evaluated some of the BTOP grant applications. Some of my consulting
involves broadband and wireless although I'm doing much more work with
materials handling technology and open source ILS software these days.
*
*4. What you would like to learn from this group.*
I'd like to hear what the issues are for libraries - see where they need
help and understand what kind of solutions are being implemented that are
working the best.
*5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience.
Anything!)*
I'm happy to suggest solutions if I can help. I probably see more
approaches to accomplishing the same goals as your typical library
staffperson so sometimes just sharing how someone else is doing it can be a
big help.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Lori Bowen Ayre // Library Technology Consultant
The Galecia Group // www.galecia.com
(707) 763-6869 // Lori...@galecia.com
<Lori...@galecia.com>Specializing in open source ILS solutions, RFID,
filtering,
workflow optimization, and materials handling
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Elliot Harmon <elliot...@gmail.com> Feb 09 01:22PM -0800 ^
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 <bfhe...@gmail.com> Feb 09 02:35PM -0700 ^
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 <mel...@brightonlibrary.info> Feb 09 05:42PM -0500 ^
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
Topic: Introduce yourselfSaralyn <srs...@gmail.com> Feb 09 04:05PM -0600 ^
*1. **Your name*
Saralyn Shone
*
2. What you do
*Information Services and Public Computing Division Administrator at the
Arlington Public Library (Arlington, TX)**
* *
2. *What your organization has to do with broadband.
*Received a BTOP grant to upgrade our network infrastructure, implement
decent Wi-Fi, add public computers and a mobile computer lab vehicle
We also use our existing wired broadband connection for staff and public
internet connectivity
*3. **What you would like to learn from this group.*
Survival techniques!
Brilliant ideas for finding, encouraging and retaining community volunteers
to be public technology trainers
Alternatives to traditional wireless access (currently by hotspot/Wi-Fi
laptop card or wireless service from a phone provider via a mobile service
card)
Ideas for wireless service to the mobile vehicle
Publicity for public computer services (now that I have built it, getting
them to come, to paraphrase the movie….)
*5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience,
anything!)*
I will have more to share when we start to implement our grant later this
month.
Jane Besel
Feb 10, 2011, 5:57:55 PM2/10/11
to broadb...@googlegroups.com
Introducing myself:
1. Your name
Janie Besel
2. What you do
I'm the Director of the Carnegie Public Library in Trinidad, Colorado.
3. What your organization has to do with broadband.
The Carnegie is a small library that serves a big county; Las Animas County has of the nation's largest geographic areas although it is, of course, sparsely populated. We are the only full-service library in the area and because it is a very impoverished area, very few rural residents have access to the Internet.
4. What you would like to learn from this group.
I'm interested in hearing how other BTOP grant recipients are using their funds to create public computer centers. I want suggestions as to what kind of hardware to buy, what to avoid, etc.
5. What you'd like to share with this group (expertise, ideas, experience. Anything!)
I will probably be more of a learner than a teacher, but I have some ideas about and experience with providing computers to the public.
Janie Besel
Carnegie Public Library
202 North Animas Street
Trinidad, CO 81082
From: bobbi....@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:22:40 -0500
Subject: Re: [Broadband Now] Digest for broadb...@googlegroups.com - 6 Messages in 4 Topics
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