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MHLS Library Programming: Teaching Technology & Online Resources
Teaching
Technology & Online Resources
- Tips for Success
[MHLS Marketing & Program Advisory Committee]
- Excite people, be enthusiastic
about teaching them;
- Don't ask them what they want
to learn, ask them what they want to do (example: find magazine
article on the computer, learn e-mail);
- Make what is in it for
the user a focal point;
- Focus on the user, not the
technology;
- Address the "fear factor"
- "You learn by making
mistakes."
- "You can't break
it."
- Make it easier for staff to
help patrons:
- Standardize staff
training.
- Create consistency
with a standardized desktop setup, standardized list of Favorites
(bookmarks), same version of browser and software at each terminal;
- Consider using
software that will "freeze" your
desktop setup;
- Request Customer
Service Training at your library.
- Develop your Information
Literacy Skills to best help patrons understand how to recognize valid
information on the Internet.
- Tools
- Training "on-the-fly"
Tips [MHLS Marketing
& Program Advisory Committee]
- List the most frequently asked
questions you receive and develop a brief (5 minutes or less) trainings
to address them, for example:
- Setting up a free Email
Account
- Post some relevant FAQs by
the computer where patrons can benefit from them;
- Have your public access computers
arranged so you can easily see them , and can send help to a patron before
they become too frustrated or too lost;
- If patrons need a lot of help
at a time when you cannot assist them, set up a specific time for them
to come back when you will not be so busy.
- Training
/ Workshop Ideas & Tips:
- Listen to the need. What are
patrons asking for?
- What's in it for them? Saving
money, communicating with family, planning a trip, health information,
recipies...
- Hold a training session for
your library trustees;
- Go outside your own building,
provide a program for a community group at one of their own meetings:
PTA, Rotary Club, Car Club, Fire House, etc.
- Do computer training when
the library is closed;
- Separate classes for seniors
or those who are new to computers;
 Offer
one-on-one training appointments- Demonstrate what you are doing
by using a data
projector
- Check the EZ
Library Program Database (topic = computer or Internet) for ideas
- OPAC searching - "Learn
how to find more books at your library."
- "When you leave this
class you will know how to...."|
- Ideal class length: 60-90minutes
- Teaching New Users
- Teaching
Older Users
- Information
Literacy
- Marketing & Advertising
- Marketing
& PR Resources [MHLS]
- [COMING
SOON] Tips
for Talking about Databases
- Tips:
- Talk about what
is in it for the user
- Word-of-Mouth
marketing is the most effective
- Computer
Maintenance
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