Until recently, there has been a disappointing level of adoption of schema.org structured data in traditional core library systems such as catalogues and institutional repositories. But there is still hope! In this session, l'll briefly (re)introduce you to the schema.org vocabulary as expressed in microdata and RDFa and convince you that it matters to libraries, explain how our W3 Schema Bib Extend group participates in the schema.org development process, identify library systems that now publish schema.org structured data by default, and explore emerging possibilities for enhancing libraries' presence on the web with structured data.
In 2012, the Anoka County Library received an LSTA grant to expand accessibility of both physical and digital library materials. Titled, "Anoka County Library on the Go", this new service offers library patrons a variety of kiosk-based services to make access to library materials more easy and convenient including book vending machines, MediaSurfer iPad tablet dispensers, locker based book delivery services, and 3M Discovery Stations touchscreen kiosk that allow patrons to browse and checkout the library's collection of ebooks. Attendees will learn how this service was implemented and lessons learned over the course of the grant period.
Uglifying, minifying, bootstrapping, prototyping, and guerilla testing: these are a few of the techniques we’ve used at the University of Minnesota Libraries to redesign our website. We redesigned our site to be responsive (so it works well on phones, tablets, desktops, etc.), to match our new discovery system, to improve accessibility, to significantly reduce page size and increase page speed, and we think we've done it without angering our users (or more remarkably, our staff). Join us for a discussion about why website speed matters and how prototyping in public helped us meet our redesign goals.
Web accessibility is a growing concern for many libraries and higher education institutions. Temple University is currently undergoing a campus-wide effort to increase accessibility of web technologies for users with disabilities using guidelines modeled on Section 508 of the U.S. Workforce Rehabilitation Act and the WCAG 2.0 document released by the W3C for best practices in web accessibility. As part of this effort, the University Libraries is evaluating its information technologies to ensure that university web accessibility guidelines are met. Library public services and technology staff alike are faced with remediation of content and information systems. This session will offer insights into the opportunities, obstacles, and options of applying web accessibility guidelines across a library’s vast web presence. Presenters will discuss general tools, standards, and guidelines for content remediation and the outcomes plus challenges. The session will highlight concrete strategies for educating and training staff on web accessibility, working collaboratively across library departments and units, and communicating with vendors.
New technologies are often referred to as 'game-changers' or as being 'disruptive'. We hear about these technologies but often do not have an opportunity to learn the details or interact with them. This informal and highly interactive session is meant to provide this opportunity.
We've all heard about it and have probably seen people wearing it - Google Glass. But what is this technology? How do users interact with it? What are possible practical uses for it? Join us for a short conversation with Kate Agnew, managing director of Girls in Tech Minneapolis/St. Paul and someone who is among the early adopters working with Google to test this technology. She will start off this session with a brief talk describing Google Glass and share her experiences. Then we'll break into 'demonstration mode' where participants will have a chance to come up and try out and ask questions not only about Google Glass, but also other new technologies that are changing the way that we interact with technology. Other technologies will include:
Do you love local history? Do you love a good treasure hunt? Do you love high-tech gadgets? Put them together to get your library patrons out and about in your local area. Learn how the Ramsey County Library teamed up with the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society to teach about local historic sites using geocaches in this Legacy-funded program. Learn to play the high-tech game yourself using handheld GPS receivers or smartphones! Participants will go outside for the last half of the session so be prepared for the weather.
Libraries collect, update, analyze, archive, display, share, and discuss internal data as they assess the services and resources that they provide to users. This session will discuss two libraries' approaches to using and sharing internal data. Concordia University St. Paul used Google Apps and Sites, to build an internal site that tracks database usage and costs, student enrollment, and user demographics. They also created a dashboard for managing and assessing student workers. The University of Michigan built Datamart to give library staff an easy way for all staff to query the library system and generate spreadsheets. Datamart generates 50-60 reports each week, seamlessly getting data to where it can do the most good. The presenter will talk about creating the system, issues around transforming data from the ILS, and demonstrate the flexible query-building system and typical reports.
Hold onto your seat for this fast-paced session where staff from a variety of libraries do brief presentations on a myriad of topics! For more information on the specific presentations, visit libtechconf.org/lightning.
Loras College librarians transformed their library’s website into one that responded to users’ needs while meeting the library's teaching objectives and the College’s branding requirements - all with no budget, limited staff, and very little technical assistance. After learning about how this ACRL College Library Web Site of the Month was created using quick-and-dirty usability testing, open source code, and vendor-provided and home-grown widgets, attendees will have the opportunity to explore free tools discussed in the presentation at hands-on stations, including WireframePro, Jing, and card sorts. Participants will gain a knowledge of free tools that can be applied to their own library’s website.
Managing digital content over time can be challenging as one has to protect against loss of data, format obsolescence, natural and man-made disasters. There are small steps you can take now to help ensure access to your digital content in the future. If you want to determine that the files you are storing have not become corrupt, or be able to better track how much digital content you have and the file formats used, you may want to attend this hands-on lab. Presenters will show you how to use some of the freely available tools out there to help you monitor the health of your digital files. Checksum tools that tell you if your files have changed over time at the bit level will be demonstrated like Exact File and Hash My Files, and more. You will have a chance to work with file duplicate detection tools as well as with DROID, which assists with file format identification, captures file property information, and displays information to you in a readable report.