Troubleshooting Website

Hello friends! I completed the assignment for this week and we were encouraged to share it with our group and get their opinions on it. Below is a link to the site I created for different equipment in the Library that would have troubleshooting. Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

https://sites.google.com/site/libtroubleshooting101/wireless-internet-trouble

Children and Technology

Back when I was a little girl we didn't have all the new technology they have 20 some years later ie now. I remember I didn't start using the computer until I was in 6th grade which now a days is kind of shocking for some as they started using the computer when they were 6 or younger with their parents helping them. My sister got into the computer and the internet way before I did, I remember telling her "I don't want to go on the internet, I want nothing to do with it." that didn't last very long as I had to use it for school a lot and I had to ask my sister how to use the computer and the internet. Now with all the sites and games and programs on the computer they have today for children, parents are introducing and teaching their children how to use the computer really early. Not that its a bad thing its a great thing to teach them when their younger how to use technology in this age where technology is ever advancing. But like teaching senior citizens how to use technology, these are children, you need patience and to probably, go over it a few times before they grasp it. Also speaking in a way they understand helps too.

Digital Divide

Do I believe that digital divide still exist in the United States? You bet I do! So many people in the United States can't afford a computer/laptop/notebook and if they do have one they can't always afford to pay for internet. Now a days with schools that have online registering and homework teachers give that require tons on online research or typing an essay, or jobs that you apply to online, it makes it really hard to survive without internet let alone a computer. I think that it is definitely the library's responsibility to address this issue. Why? Because libraries tend to the need of the community around them. If they don't have computers then where is someone who doesn't have a one or access to one going to go for their homework or work? So, yes, libraries should be concerned with this issue. If libraries don't have any computers then they aren't tending to all of the community's needs.

Library Adaptive/Assisstive Technology

I visited my local library the Temecula Public Library. Its very big with two large community rooms that seat up to one hundred and can connect to seat up to two hundred, a kitchen, 4 study rooms with seating for 8, the Grace Mellman Heritage room with a conference table that seats twelve people. It also has more than 40 computers anyone can use and with the Technology Homework Center has 24 computers and the children's section has seven computers. The computers have an one hour time limit then it automatically logs you out but you can log in again and have another hour, however when that session ends you are done on the computers for the day. They do have free wifi for those who bring their own laptops with no time limit. The study rooms can be rented for a small party and whenever they are not in use the library users can use them free of charge and the same goes for the Grace Mellman Heritage room. The computers in the children's section are low to the ground for them with special keyboards for pre-school age children, the children need their parent/guardians permission to go on the computer and the code on the back of their parents library card. The computers have educational games on them for the children to play while their parent/guardian(s) watch them, help them, read, or go on one of the adult computers as there is always a librarian at the desk watching the children at the computers in the children's section. I think that they have a very nice set up but I do believe they could do with more computers in the children's section.

Computer for Visually Impaired

Teaching Technology to Seniors

I think it is important to remember that some seniors have had little exposure to technology. A good example is my mother who was so terrified of using the banks ATMs that she would have a younger family member meet her at the bank and do her withdrawal for her. Another example is the CSIT computer skills class that all of us library tech students must take in order to earn our certificate. I signed up for this class in fall of 2011. It is a beginning class and at least four of the students described themselves as not having much computer skills (i was one of the four) our instructor had been teaching computer classes for over 20 years and it was second nature to her. Sadly she had no sympathy for anyone who did not understand what she was talking about. I felt especially sorry for one lady of about 65 who so wanted to gain skills and competency on the computer. By the third class the teacher announced "if you are having trouble now, you won't pass this class." I got up walked out and drove home where i dropped the class. We need to remember that for some seniors even though it's our millionth time doing something with computers or technology it may be someones first time and the terms we use might as well be in Russian. Patience, a smile and willingness to explain something in easy to understand language are of the utmost importance. I plan on taking the computer class again in the fall (with a different teacher.)

I visited the Escondido Public Library, it's one of my favorite libraries for many reasons. The library has a nice neighborhood-community feel about it. They recently did some remodeling and freshening up with great results (in my opinion) unlike the vista Public library which now has a too modern, sterile feel about it, the Escondido public library seems to combine the best of two worlds. It still has that comforting library feel about it while combining the latest technology. The best thing about this library is their staff who go out of their way for every patron. As part of my library tech studies i have visited many libraries, one stands out in my mind as being beautiful but with a remote and cold staff. All it takes is one time for someone who may be a first time library user to be turned off be staff who act as though a patron is interrupting them or encroaching on "their space." For someone who is disabled and needs to use adaptive technology it is extremely important that library staff be approachable. The Escondido library has a special computer for the visually impaired. It is equipped with a large screen with magnification capabilities and features a special text magnification mouse. When i spent three hours shadowing a reference librarian last semester in this library, i observed several patrons asking for help with this special computer. The library also has some special Braille audio players. Serving the needs of all it's patrons is an important task for libraries.