Blog

This morning, Stephanie Gerding and I delivered a ½ hour Introduction to TechSoup webinar for Oregon public libraries (thank you to the Oregon State Library for organizing this!). The session was designed to introduce staff in Oregon public libraries to TechSoup resources.

Windows MultiPoint Server is a thin-client or shared-resource-computing software solution in which one host computer is shared by multiple users simultaneously. Basically, it allows one computer to serve several people in a lab or library at very low cost and with minimum maintenance.

Anythink (CO) does such interesting things! I've been following tweets (here and here and here) about their TechFest, which is happening today and it sounds great. Donna Feddern from Escondido Public Library (CA) is a keynote speaker. If you can't hear her in Colorado today, you can check out the webinar she delivered with us last fall. Escondido's LibraryYOU is an inspiring project.

Microsoft's Windows MultiPoint Serverthin-client or shared-resource-computing software solution in which one host computer is shared by multiple users simultaneously. Basically, it allows one computer to serve several people in a lab or library at very low cost and with minimum maintenance. Find out more in our upcoming webinar, Lower Your Public Access PC Lab Costs.

Do you want to find ways to make it easier and cheaper to set up, improve, or simply maintain your public library computers or training lab?

Huge thanks and kudos to Joe Olayvar from the WA State Library, who skillfully presented our most popular TechSoup Edge Initiative webinar yet: Basic PC Troubleshooting. Missed the session? Don’t worry! It was recorded. A number of resources were shared during the session and I’ll include links to those here. We'll be going through the questions that were asked during the session and will create a blog post to respond to those that weren't answered.

Come On In! at the Skokie Public Library (IL) offers specialized services, programs, and resources for families and encourages children with special needs to "Come On In!" and enjoy the library.  The Youth Services Staff has been trained to better understand and serve children with disabilities. Join us for a free webinar to learn more about this successful program, with special attention to the technology involved.

If you haven't already subscribed to our monthly newsletter, you can sign up here. We'll email you (usually the first Wednesday of each month) and let you know about all kinds of TechSoup news, including software donations, free webinars, free resources and success stories. We usually try to put at least one librarian in the spotlight to share their insights and how they've handled common issues with library technology. 

Why was I thinking about the Library Edge technology benchmarks while watching a Super Bowl ad? The connection was sparked by the RAM trucks farmer commercial. Here in Kansas, pride in farmers and their work is something people think and talk about on a regular basis.

I like to look outside of the library world on a regular basis to see what issues, trends, and ideas are making an impact. Last night, for example, I attended a social media presentation delivered by the team behind the online presence for the University of Kansas (KU) Athletics. Thinking about the ways this group engages sports fans inspired me to think about ways libraries use social media, too.