Staff have long served as technology instructors to our communities; what does that role look like in the year 2018 and beyond? This presentation will look at common topics, suggested curriculum, and best practices. A variety of approaches will be covered, including one-on-one, small group, drop-in, and passive instruction. With the right preparation, libraries can continue to help our patrons navigate the rapidly changing tech landscape!

1. TEACHING TECH
TO PATRONS
THE CURRENT L ANDSCAPE
N I C K TA N Z I , A S S I S TA N T D I R E C T O R
S O U T H H U N T I N G T O N P U B L I C L I B R A R Y

2. LIBRARIES HAVE LONG PROVIDED
ESSENTIAL TECH HELP
• Traditionally, this took place on library-owned resources.
– Microfilm/microfiche machines
– Access to word processors.
– Computer/internet access & training
– Classes on common software applications.

4. MORE RECENTLY, MOBILE DEVICES
HAVE COME TO DOMINATE
• Overwhelmingly, patrons are seeking help on devices they themselves own.
– Smartphones
– Tablets
– eReaders
• This presents its own challenges!
– How do you train staff?
– How do you prepare both parties?

5. THE CIRCLE OF TECH

6. AS MUCH AS THINGS CHANGE, THEY
REMAIN THE SAME!
Disruption occurs: new
tech is prohibitively
expensive, confusing to
many people
Library provides training
and access to this new
tech.
Patrons become comfortable
with the technology, price
point drops, and the need for
library-provided
training/access subsides.
New technology comes
out!

7. SO HOW CAN LIBRARIES ASSIST
PATRONS WITHIN THIS CYCLE?
One-on-one help Small group instruction
Drop-in assistance Passive approaches

8. ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP

9. THE STRUCTURE OF A ONE-ON-ONE
TECH APPOINTMENT
• One instructor and one student.
• Done by appointment on a specific concern.
– Reference interview.
– Intake form (Google Forms!)
– Staff preparation.
– Patron preparation too!
• Generally lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
– Follow up!

10. COMMON TOPICS IN A ONE-ON-ONE
TECH APPOINTMENT
• Mobile devices
– eReaders, smartphones, tablets
• File management
– iCloud, Google Drive
• Photo/video editing
• Social Media
– Personal accounts
– Business pages
• Wordpress/Blogger
• Digitization
– Home movies
– Photos

11. EMERGING TOPICS IN ONE-ON-ONE
TECH APPOINTMENTS
• Wearable tech
– Smart watches
– Fitbits
• Smart speakers
– Amazon Echo
– Google Home
• Privacy Concerns
– Managing personal info
– Password management

13. BEST PRACTICES IN SMALL-GROUP
TECH INSTRUCTION
• One instructor (plus assistant for hands-on classes)
• Effective for topics where all students are on the same page.
– Establish pre-requisites!
• “must know how to…”
• “Must bring…”
• “Need to update…”
• Follow up
– One-on-one appointments
– Related classes
– Info on complimentary services.

14. COMMON TOPICS IN SMALL GROUP
INSTRUCTION:
• Mobile device classes
– Intro to Android
– iPad/iPhone basics
– How to take/manage/edit photos & video
• Chromebooks
• Internet basics
• Social media
• Common software applications
– Microsoft Office
– Google Docs, Sheets
• The digital library
– eCollections
– Online account management
• Web design
Help!

15. EMERGING TOPICS IN SMALL-GROUP
INSTRUCTION
• Cable cutting options
• Artificial Intelligence
• Blockchain
• Virtual & Augmented Reality
• Drones
• 3D Printing
• Video Games
– What is Fortnite?
• eCommerce
– Side Hustle
– eBay

17. 54%Percentage who carry a 2nd source of income
out of necessity.

18. 35%
Freelancing
7%
Etsy Shop

19. PERCENTAGE OF MILLENNIALS WHO HAVE
STARTED A SIDE-BUSINESS

20. TECH INSTRUCTION TO MATCH THIS
TREND:
• Setting up an online marketplace
– Etsy
– eBay
– Facebook
• Website Creation
– Wix, Wordpress
– SEO
• Social media marketing
– Electronic newsletters
• Business-oriented software applications
– Accounting/bookkeeping

21. DROP-IN INSTRUCTION

22. BEST PRACTICES FOR DROP-IN
CLASSES:
• Consider your ratio of staff to length of instruction.
– Longer tasks = more staff needed.
• Great volunteer opportunity!
• Define the material covered
• Define what the patron should bring!
• Have readily available access to your ILS
– Card lookup, troubleshooting

23. COMMON TOPICS IN A DROP-IN
CLASS:
• Using library digital services:
– eBooks/audiobooks
– Streaming movies & music
• Bluetooth/smart speaker interfacing
• Simple tech demonstrations:
– AR/VR experiences
– 3D Printer/scanner
– Other library tech

24. EXAMINING SOME PASSIVE
APPROACHES TO TECH INSTRUCTION
Let’s examine
things more
closely...

25. DISPLAYS
A good, interactive display can impart as much
information as a standard class!

26. DEVICE LENDING
• Lending tech ensures access & helps
familiarize patrons with the unknown.
• “Try before you buy!”
• Incorporate library services when possible!

27. ONLINE LEARNING
• Staff-drive
• Blogging & social media
– Adds immediacy to
information!
• Curation of online resources
– Safe online shopping
– How to spot fake news
• Recorded classes
– Maximizes your time spent!
• Library-supported services
– Lynda.com
– Niche Academy
• Don’t forget about the free
ones!
– Khan Academy
– EdX
Staff-driven 3rd Party

28. WHY TAKE A PASSIVE APPROACH?
• Less labor intensive.
• Learning takes place on patron’s timetable.
• Ability to reach those who don’t like taking classes.

29. IN CONCLUSION:
• There’s no one way to teach tech!
• A multi-pronged approach offers the best way
to reach different types of learners.
• Do your homework ahead of time.
• Don’t underestimate the importance of
providing access to technology!

30. CONTACT
Nick Tanzi
ntanzi@communitylibrary.org
(631) 399-1511 ext. 398
the-digital-librarian.com