Date: May 23
Time: 9am-12pm
Hours: 3
Total Hours: 5
This morning, I spoke with Perry Public Library director Beth Hatch, who is also my supervisor for my practicum. We outlined my tasks and projects for the next few weeks:
- creating a location and action-based tally sheet for the observation study (June 12 – June 24)
- inputting paper community surveys into SurveyMonkey
- helping tech specialist Brandon with the website redesign
- helping tech specialist Brandon with an inventory of the library’s technology
All four of these projects relate to my stated objectives. Both the observation study and the community surveys will provide vital data for Perry’s strategic planning process. Library websites have become vital access points for information. Working on this redesign will specifically leveraging my personal experience with WordPress and coursework in web design.
I have been lucky enough to work at in a library system that focuses on technology, including employing dedicated IT staff. Librarians and paraprofessionals are often charged with managing library technology in small, rural libraries without dedicated IT staff.
After speaking with Beth and inputting some surveys, Brandon and I began the technology inventory. The last documented inventory of Perry’s computer equipment was in 2011. The publicly available technology is in good repair, but we discovered plenty of old cords and equipment just taking up valuable storage space.