Blog

The 2012 Digital Storytelling Challenge is here! Learn how to share your library’s story digitally, through five photos or a one-minute video, during TechSoup’s Digital Storytelling Challenge (also known as #TSDigs). Throughout February, join us for webinars, tweet chats and discussions to find out how to create a compelling digital story, and then submit it by Feb. 29^th for the chance to win prizes that help you create your next digital story.

In the last fiscal year, Sacramento Public Library increased its public program offerings by 32% over the previous year: 133,725 people attended some 5,213 programs throughout our 28 branch library system. At least part of the reason we’ve been able to increase our programming, despite all the "tough economic times" (this is Sacramento, California, remember) has been through the development of boxed programs for our staff.

At a recent ALA MidWinter session on the Edge Initiative, Larra Clark from ALA OITP ended her remarks with, "the benchmarks are meant to be kicked. So kick it." Thus launched a focus group exercise where approximately 50 attendees were asked to provide feedback to a draft set of public access technology benchmarks.

On January 19, I had the pleasure of assisting in our app-inspired webinar, App It Up! You can now view a recording of the webinar on YouTube.

Boost your fundraising efforts with valuable grant-finding tools! On January 24 and 25, 2012, get GrantStation for only $99 — a $160 savings. Identify private and government grantmakers with GrantStation's online database, and use the tutorials to secure funding. Already have a GrantStation membership? Add another year during this two-day offer.

Mark your calendars! On January 24 and 25, 2012, get a one-year membership to GrantStation for only $99 — a $160 discount off the regular admin fee. Identify thousands of private and government grantmakers with GrantStation's online database and use the step-by-step tutorials to secure funding. Already have a GrantStation membership? Add another year during this two-day offer.

The American Library Association's (ALA) Digital Literacy Taskforce is calling on all libraries to put a social media megaphone to their activities planned for Digital Learning Day, February 1.

In this free, one-hour webinar, we will share valuable information regarding creating and using apps in libraries and nonprofits. Thanks to a grant from Microsoft, TechSoup’s App it Up project has enabled us to learn about the kinds of apps nonprofits and libraries are using to engage constituents, tell stories, and accomplish their goals. Discover popular apps you can put to use right now. Listen in when Shawn Michael of NPower explains how her organization effectively uses apps.

TechSoup Global has been working on the Public Access Technology Benchmarks project for over a year now, and we're excited to share what we've learned, and what we hope will be useful tools for the library community.

This Cool App Roundup from App It Up highlights how apps can help libraries connect with patrons and provide services in new ways.

Many libraries accomplish this by creating standalone apps or a mobile-friendly website and library catalog. But these aren’t the only ways apps can help organizations share resources or get their message out. We hope the ideas below will inspire libraries (and nonprofits!) to think about innovative ways to use apps and mobile technology.