Wednesday, October 26, 2011

My Interview with Barbara Keef at the Windham Public Library


The following is the write-up of my interview with Barbara Keef at the Windham Public Library:
 
  • What is your job title? 
  • Reference and Technology Librarian.”
  • What is your job description? 
  • “My job covers many areas including basic reference and research, helping patrons use the public computers, organizing displays, and updating the website.  I also facilitate the library’s Book Group, keep the monthly Newsletter on track, help out with the Library Teas every 6 weeks (with the Children's  Librarian), and figure out some programs and the Adult & Teen Summer Reading Programs…there probably is more, too.  Oh, yes, I schedule the Meeting Room and attempt to keep our blog going…”
  • Are you the main person who maintains the website?
  • “Yes, with Sally Bannen.”     
  • Were you trained on-the-job, or do you keep taking classes?  How do you stay up-to-date?
  • “It’s funny, because I was not a computer-techie kind of person.  I started here in 1995 when computers were just getting used in libraries, so we were just beginning to automate.  The town offered some introductory courses and I was intrigued – it’s all information and it opened up a whole new world.  I’ve never been afraid of trying new things, which you can’t be if you’re going to be a librarian.  So anytime I saw there was a workshop or anything I went for it.  Then when I began my Master’s  coursework, many of the courses were online and focused on  internet resources.  At that point I knew I either had to go with all of this or not.  I do know some people who decided that this shift to online work was too much for them.  You either love it or you don’t.  It’s a balance between print and online material, and the important thing is to find that balance.  I just want to connect people with what they need.  So, if I can find it in a book, fine.  If it’s online, fine.  Where’s the best place?  That’s how I look at it.  I don’t put computers up on a pedestal.”
  • What is your favorite task?
  • “Helping people learn something new about the Internet (email, uploading photos, etc.).”
  • Least favorite?
  • “Resolving printing issues.”
  • What types of technology are available to patrons at the Windham Public Library?
  • “Public access computers, Wi-Fi 24/7, Downloadable audiobooks & e-books.”
  • What types of technology are available to staff?
  • “Same.”
  • Does anyone else help manage the technology? 
  • “The Town of Windham IT department.  He really is good.  He does all the updating now, which I used to do, but that took a lot of time…so that’s changed, although as it is now, I am really the one in charge of the computers and helping people with problems on their laptops.”
  • Are paraprofessionals and volunteers taught basic troubleshooting techniques?
  • “No.”
  • As to the budget, how much is spent on technology, specifically databases, music, movies, software, etc?
  • I learned from Inese (Library Director) that the town deals with the budget.  As to the equipment budget, it is approximately $7200.00 per year and non-print is about $5400 per year.
  • Do you have a budget for new technology or upgrades? 
  • “Yes, but not sure of the dollar amount.”
  • Are your computers networked?  Is there wireless internet access available?
  • “Yes and yes.”
  • What type of connection is there?  (i.e. cable modem, ATM - Ethernet, T-1)
  • “There are two T-1 lines.”
  • Is the WPL automated?  If yes, what is the name of the system?
  • “Yes, we have an open source system – Koha.”
  • I didn’t see an Acceptable Use Policy on your website.  Do you have one?  What, if any, are the time limitations for computer use?
  • “We do have an Internet policy online.  It’s under Services, Public Computers, and it’s under that link.  Patrons have to accept the policy when they get online.  You don’t have to have a library card to use the computers.  Anyone can come in and use them.  It’s very nebulous.  We’re not the school.  As to the time limitations, we have a time management system where you log in, you get an hour, but if nobody’s waiting, then it just kicks it over.  Some libraries only let a person use a computer for a certain amount of time every day.  Even if there’s nobody waiting, and I think ‘Why?…So you’d rather have them sitting there empty than let people go over their time limits???'  That’s bizarre.”  The link to the AUP is:  http://www.windham.lib.me.us/internet-usage-policy
  • Do you accept E-rate funding?
  • “Yes.  We had to, and in order to keep it we chose the lowest level of filtering we could possibly have.  Filters don’t really work anyway.  For example, if people want to look up something about breast cancer, they might not be able to.  We have an anti-virus program and that is handled by the town’s IT department.”
  • Have you had any problems with unacceptable computer or Internet usage?
  • “We haven’t really had any problems.  I know people often confuse what the school requires and what we require, and I’m still amazed that some libraries still require people to sign something to use the computers and to sign something for their kids, and I think, ‘What?  What is that?’  It’s public information access.  If parents have issues with what their children are looking at online, they should  come in with them and supervise their internet usage.  We haven’t had a lot of problems with patrons looking at pornography or things like that, maybe because of the way that we’re set up, with the computers facing out and visible to everyone.  A few times, we’ve had people looking at stuff and we ask them not to access those sites.  Generally people come across things inadvertently and they freak out saying they didn’t mean to do that.”
  • Do you have an IT person if no one on staff is able to fix the technology-based problems?
  • “Yes.”  This was covered earlier in the interview.
  • Do you have any equipment that can be lent out to community organizations, patrons, used for town council meetings, etc?
  • “No.”
  • Do you feel there is enough space for the computers?
  • “Yes, although we could always use more space.”
  • Are there enough outlets/data ports to accommodate all of the equipment and other devices that may be brought in by patrons?
  • “For right now, yes.”
  • Was ergonomics addressed when purchasing furniture for the computer area?
  • “Somewhat.”
  • What do you have in the area of assistive technologies?  I know you have an automatic door that’s wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, but what in terms of technology and computer use is there?
  • “We do not have an assistive technology workstation, but we would always adapt a workstation to a patron.”
  • What works best, in your opinion, in terms of the technology available at WPL?
  • “Public computers.”
  • What doesn't work - what items of technology in the library need to be revamped or rethought for optimal use by or for patrons?
  • “We just purchased 8 new PCs – we also have 2 laptops – not sure what else we could revamp.”
  • Do you lend out materials such as CDs, DVDs, or VHS?
  • “We loan books on CDs (and still on cassettes), DVDs, and some VHS.”
  • I saw on the website that you can download audiobooks and eBooks for free through Maine’s InfoNet’s “Download Library.”  Has this been a popular feature?  What about iFlicks?  What do you think about the HarperCollins recent decision?
  • “Yes, especially now that Amazon/Kindle is compatible.  OverDrive is the program and has worked well. We joined a state-wide consortium which purchases the eBooks.  There are instructions on the Portland Public Website that are very easy to use.   It’s pretty popular.  No, not iFlicks.  As to the HarperCollins issue, I think that’s under question.  We went to a couple of conferences recently – a Tri-District Maine meeting and the New England Library Conference in Burlington, Vermont. From what was presented at both meetings, publishers are just going to have to get their act together.  They can’t just sit around debating, 'Is this the end of the print book?  What are we going to do?'  They have to work on offering books in many formats. Who knows how this will all end?  Things will continue to change and libraries will need to adapt their services.”
  • I never noticed your adult “Read Alike” suggestions before.  Is this new?  Has it brought in patrons that you know of?
  • “Not sure – people like these lists.”
  • I saw on your blog that OverDrive will begin adding Kindle compatibility to its networks.  I have a nook, and saw that it will (or already is) compatible with that too.  When is this to start? 
  • “Now.” 
  • Have you had any interest in this already? 
  • “Yes.”
  • I saw an article on WebJunction that librarians are helping the unemployed.  Is there anything WPL does in this area? 
  • “We cooperate with Windham Adult Ed.  They have a Career Center/help with resumes and also have public computers for people seeking jobs.”
  • Do you feel you offer a unique service?  If yes, what?
  • “The library is probably the only community center in the town.  Where else can people go to sit, read the paper, look at books, use computers, munch on their snacks – all for free?  The library offers help in many areas:  selecting books, movies, audio, research, projects and computers.  We also will help people download audios/eBooks to their own devices, set up email accounts, upload photos, etc.  Would you think of going back to Best Buy (or Staples, WalMart, etc.) to ask them how to set up an email account because that’s where you bought your computer?”

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