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31
Addressing new kinds of literacy
Filed Under Libraries, Technology | Leave a Comment
I’m currently taking a four-week online workshop called “Library Technology 101″ and it’s been great so far. There are five broad categories covered: network infrastructure, library management systems, public access computer management systems, materials handling, and the library website (and web-based services). For me, it’s an attempt to better understand the technology issues faced by most libraries. I’m far from being a full-on tech geek, but that can’t stop me from trying to become one 
One of the statements made in our week 1 reading was of particular interest to me. My instructor writes:
Libraries are still providing many of the same services they’ve been providing for the last 100 years. Libraries provide reference service and research assistance, help people find good books to read, teach people to read, and generally improve people’s ability to participate in the world around them. Libraries encourage children to love books and storytelling long before they can read their first word. Libraries also provide a repository for valuable information about local history and serve as community gathering places.
The functional description of libraries hasn’t changed dramatically since 1871, when Boston Library began. However, in many ways the demands on libraries have increased. Libraries still teach people to read, but they also address other literacies, including information literacy, computer literacy, and Internet literacy. Being able to read was a critical skill for citizens striving to be part of our democracy. Now being able to read, use a computer, evaluate a diverse collection of information resources, and effectively navigate the Internet are all skills today’s citizens require.
From my experience helping people at the information desk, I’ve definitely seen how a lack of basic computer skills can make life difficult for someone. One example of this is when people come into the library because they need to complete an online job application. There are a lot of people out there who don’t have the basic technology competencies to fill out a basic application for employment at a place like Whole Foods.
This is why one of the things I’ve most enjoyed about my work this year has been the opportunities I’ve had to teach computer/Internet classes. It’s very satisfying to see someone become more competent with things like using email, finding and searching useful websites, and generally becoming more comfortable with technology. Each time I teach one of these classes I’m reminded of how difficult it must be for a novice to learn even seemingly simple things like using a mouse or navigating through a typical website. And the best part of the classes is interacting with the students. On the whole, the students I’ve had have been incredibly grateful to have these classes offered to them (for free!) and you can just see from the looks on their faces that they are so eager to learn something new.
But I think it’s also important not to limit technology classes to the beginner level. With our new blogging class and Flickr class, we’ve been trying to offer classes that would appeal to the intermediate level of technology users. On Saturday morning I’ll be teaching my second “Fun with Flickr” class at the library. The class is set up to introduce people to the world of storing, sorting, and sharing digital photos online. The first class was held two weeks ago and I think it was a success. The people who attended really seemed interested in learning how to share their photos with their family and friends. There were all sorts of questions, many dealing with privacy concerns, and the hands-on portion of the class was lots of fun since I asked people to bring their own photos to upload. There is a waiting list to get into Saturday’s class so it seems like a topic that people are interested in learning more about. I think there are a lot of people out there who have digital cameras (either purchased by them or given to them as gifts) but don’t know how to share photos online. In my eyes, this is just another part of teaching a new kind of literacy.
May
27
What kind of technology user are you?
Filed Under Technology | Leave a Comment
This online “Internet Typology Test” has been making the rounds lately and it’s kind of fun. You answer a few questions and see what kind of technology and communication user you are. The accompanying report from Pew Internet & American Life Project is here if you want to read it. According to the report, 8% of Americans are deep users of the participatory Web and mobile applications. I’m happy to report that I’m in that 8%…I’m an omnivore. And to think, back in the dark ages when I was a college student, I was just learning how to use Pine and Netscape Navigator! My 3-year old already knows how to put a CD into a computer, turn on the music using iTunes, navigate around websites and online games using a mouse, take photos using a cell phone and digital camera, use an iPod, and type her name on Microsoft Word! Actually, now that I think about it, I think she’s already in that 8%!
May
23
Telling Our Family Stories
Filed Under Libraries, Movies & TV | 4 Comments
Many years ago I watched an early film by Martin Scorsese called Italianamerican. It’s basically an extended interview of his parents speaking about their lives back in Italy and in America. When I watched it, it made me want to tell the stories of my own family. For a long time, I’ve wanted to create a documentary about my grandparents. I’d like to tell of their lives back in Korea, their journey to first Brazil and then to the U.S., and their lives here in the U.S. with their children and their grandchildren. I’ve put off the project for a long time, mostly because I knew that to do it right would mean investing a lot of time that I didn’t have. But lately I’ve been thinking that I’m going to make an effort to get this thing off the ground soon…
That’s why I’m so excited of an upcoming event at the library. One of my professional goals is to develop interesting events for the community I serve. Since I have an academic background in film studies, my natural inclination is to create programming that somehow incorporates films. A couple of months ago I started thinking about putting together an event to celebrate APA Heritage Month at the library. A friend told me about this filmmaker named Vivian Wong and suggested that I contact her. Thankfully, when I contacted Vivian she was very receptive to the idea of driving all the way out to Thousand Oaks from LA (in heavy traffic!) to show some short documentary films dealing with the Asian American experience and give a short presentation titled “Uncovering Ourselves: Storytelling Through Oral History and Family Photos.”
The event is this Thursday night and I’m very excited about it! I’ve seen the films that are being screened tomorrow and they’re all so moving in their own way. They include:
No Vacancy
An intimate look at a South Asian family who owns and manages a motel in South Central LA. Directed by Tina Bhaga, Elena Bovetti, and Alexandra Lewis, 11 minutes, 2004.Selling Louie’s Village
One family’s experience of owning and operating a Chinese Restaurant in small town Oregon. Directed by Jason Mak, 14 minutes, 2004.Metros Es Para Todos: Grandma Hee Pok Kim & The Bus Riders’ Union
Hee Pok Kim, an elderly LA Koreatown denizen, recounts her growing sense of political involvement as a result of her activities with the Bus Riders’ Union. Directed by Eurie Chung, 8 minutes, 2006.Beyond the Sea
The story of three Filipino Navy men and the impact their military service had on them and their families. Directed by Mark Villegas, Gena Hamamoto, and Kristina Nierva, 10 minutes, 2006.Homecoming
A personal documentary that recounts the filmmaker’s experience as a second-generation Chinese American and her relationship to her grandmother from Malaysia. Directed by Vivian Wong, 8 minutes, 2005.
It should be a great night. Hope to see you there!
May
3
What if everyone read the same book?
Filed Under Books, Libraries, Web Design | Leave a Comment
When Nancy Pearl, the model for the coolest action figure on the planet, was the Executive Director for the Washington Center for the Book, she asked the question, “What if all Seattle read the same book?” Well, she made that thought come to life by creating the first-ever “One City One Book” program and soon after libraries all around the country began creating similar community-wide reading programs.
For the past 6+ months, I’ve been a part of a dedicated group of people (mostly Library staff) committed to bringing this “One City One Book” concept to Thousand Oaks. It’s easily the biggest project I’ve been involved with since I started here, and I have to say, it’s going to be an incredible program. The book that the committee chose for the inaugural Thousand Oaks Reads is Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. If you haven’t read it yet, you really should pick it up.
In the Fall of this year, there will be several weeks when book discussions (at the Library, coffee shops, bookstores) and special events will take place all around the City. Jonathan Safran Foer is even visiting Thousand Oaks to talk about his book and his work. I’m really excited about this project because it really represents many of the positive things that libraries bring to their communities. It’s meant as a celebration of reading and literature…it’s meant to strengthen the community…and it’s meant to enrich people’s lives.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out the project’s website at thousandoaksreads.org. Working on the website has given me the chance to become more familiar with Wordpress and learn a bit more about web design and CSS, so I’m very happy about that. It’s very much a work in progress, so if you have any suggestions on how to improve it, please let me know.
By the way, when I was in grad school at UM-SI, I heard Nancy Pearl give a lecture on campus and she was truly inspirational. Afterwards, I approached her to say hello and have my Nancy Pearl action figure autographed (yes, that makes me a certified librarian geek!). I told her that I planned on becoming a librarian and she asked me what type. I told her I was interested in public and academic libraries, and she encouraged me to become a public librarian. I believe her exact words were, “Public. Go with Public. We need more good people in public libraries.” I took her advice 
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