News from Takaka Thursday, Feb 26 2009

Like other libraries in the District we have had a very busy summer and weary staff are taking much deserved holidays.  Doris did a round of presentations at the local schools to celebrate the completion of  the summer reading programme.  She was escorted by Batman, unfortunately the batmobile was in for a warrant.  Batman proved a hit with the children and has ensured there are plenty who are keen to take part in next summers reading programme.

Doris and Batman with some SuperReaders!

APN – the busy summer has caused us some angst with APN & unforseen problems, especially in terms of the numbers of wifiers in the library.  As with anything new it takes time for systems to evolve.  What we have in place at the moment seems to be working – booking by whiteboard, one computer for TDC cardholders only & limiting the wifiers to the meeting room & one desk in the YA area. The downside is no table for those who like to spread out a newspaper, but we are working on it. Nothing is set in concrete & I am sure there will be further changes as we respond to changing situations.

Tish.

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Aotearoa People’s Network Wednesday, Sep 10 2008

Workmen have installed the Fibre Optic Cable into Richmond library.  Next they will be sorting the DSL connections for Motueka, Murchison and Takaka.  It is definitely happening…..

Here is a blog post from the Central Hawkes Bay experience: click

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Aotearoa People’s Network – 9/May-meeting notes Tuesday, May 13 2008

Ethos of Aotearoa People’s network includes:

*”Libraries are a creative public space”*

*Equitable access to Information*

*Digital Citizens of the 21st Century”*

Issues to be aware of- prior to installation:

Safety/Netiquette

Managing Success/Managing Demand

1. Policies in place to deal with change in library use- new demographic-
2. APN brings in people who have not used libraries before
3. training of all staff  (ICDL) in technology

APN – issues -

1. Long Term sustainability – costs of maintining high standard service
2. Measurement – useage of the APN-End User survey underway to evaluate impact on communities
3. Content – EPIC content at the front
4. Political issues – (local government/central government)
5. Training – ICDL is not ideal but is web based and is accessible to all
6. Equipment -
7. Branding – branding project is underway – logo via Qualmark
8. KETE – all APN libraries including waitlisted are entitled to a kete!
9. Filtering – industry best practice = webmarshall with daily blacklist updates
10. All updates done remotely
11. Online booking system – not currently in use – but if an electronic system is put in place it is all or none – so needs to suit all libraries
12. To see APN in practice – click link below to youtube video of interviews with librarians and users

 

 

 

 

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Some bits and pieces Monday, Apr 21 2008

Aotearoa Peoples Network — I have received an invitiation to a meeting in Wellington in a fortnight re: the Aotearoa People’s network. I think this must be a good sign regarding our waitlisting status – esp as they will fly me up there for the meeting.!

LTCCP  – today I delivered the “dry run” of the presentaiton about libraries to Paul Wylie, Susan Edwards and the LTCCP team.  It went reasonably well and I got some useful feedback.

The actual presenation to council will be Next Tuesday 29 April.

 Karen and I have had a discussion  about the option of working with a library consultant to plan how to maximise the bequest money so that Motueka will get the most from the opportunity created by this bequest.  I have subsequently contracted Nicki Moen a library consultant from Christchurch to work with us for couple days to this end.  Nicki will be coming up in the first week of May to spend the day at Motueka library talking with staff there about their needs and seeing the current situation in the library. 

Nicki has recently been working with Upper Hutt libraries on a new library there and previously was responsible for new libraries and  redevelopment of libraries in Fendalton, Parklands and Upper Riccarton.

She will also soon be working with the Hokatika library to help with their plans for a new library.

Wishing everyone a really pleasant Anzac Day weekend

Lisa

 

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News from Aotearoa Peoples Network Wednesday, Apr 2 2008

The Aotearoa New Zealand Peoples Network, which provides free access to broadband Internet services in public libraries, is picking up speed with 22 libraries online and another 70 expected to be on board by the end of the year.  Our aim is to have every public library in New Zealand connected to the Internet so that New Zealanders from all communities, both large and small, can benefit from creating, accessing and experiencing digital content, says Sue Sutherland, Deputy Chief Executive, National Library of New Zealand. Reaction to the service has been fantastic. It’s attracting a wide range of people, both young and old, as well as those who previously never visited the library, says Mrs Sutherland. We’re also seeing library customers use the service in lots of different ways, from researching family histories to catching up on social network services like Bebo.National Library of New Zealand
The Aotearoa People’s Network will complete its first phase by the end of this month, with 147 computers placed in 34 libraries across 13 regions. Planning for phase two is now under way with the following libraries involved: Easst Coast region – Wairoa Centennial Library, HB Williams Memorial Library in Gisborne, Waipawa Library and Waipukurau Library in the Central Hawke’s Bay district; South Taranaki District Libraries; Southland District Libraries; Waikato Region – Hamilton City Libraries, Hauraki District Library, Otorohanga District Libraries, Te Kuiti in the Waitomo District, Thames-Coromandel District Libraries, Waikato District Libraries. Wait-listed for inclusion in phase two are Rodney District Libraries, the Timaru/Mackenzie region and the Top of the South region.
The Network is a collaboration between the National Library of New Zealand, public libraries and business, with initial funding from the Government’s Community Partnership Fund. That covers equipment, networking, training and access to web-based tools and services. It is part of the wider Government Digital Content Strategy to unlock the nation’s stock of content and build opportunities for New Zealanders to access it.

Serene Ambler

Communications Adviser

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