Presented at Emerging Technologies Interest Group preconference, 2007

1. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Give ‘em a playground and
they’ll learn
Challenge-based technology training
Gillian Byrne, QEII Library
Memorial University of
Newfoundland

2. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Introduction
 Proposed pilot program at MUN that
involves participants solving one basic
technology-related task a week, with the
prizes awarded at the end
 Motivations
 Characteristics
 Pilot Structure
 Task Development

3. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Genesis
 All good things happen over drinks
 Kissin’ cousins:
 Learning 2.0 Program (Public Library of
Charlotte & Mecklenburg County)
 Google development time program
 E-skills passport (UK)

4. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Motivations
1. Instill confidence in staff & librarians in
their technology skills
2. Ensure all librarians and staff have the
same basic computer skills
3. Encourage staff to take ownership of
their computers
4. Create a culture of “play” when it
comes to learning technology

5. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Characteristics
 Self directed
 Volunteer
 Practical
 Incentive based
 Incorporated into current work
 Fun!

6. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Population & Structure
 Population
 Open to all staff who wish to participate
 Supervisors must be able to ensure participants
are given the time to do the pilot
 Structure
 One task per week for four months
 Tasks get progressively harder
 10 “hints” available to each participant

7. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Tasks
 Characteristics:
 “Tasks”: Doable, achievable items
 Take no more than one hour to research and
complete
 Universal: applicable to all staff (software &
platforms)
 Learning opportunity: ideally completing a
task provides some insight into how
computers work

8. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Infrastructure
 Email: Initial task announcement &
reminders (shared calendar feature of
Outlook)
 Shared Drive: workspace
 Blog: resource & communication centre

9. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Answers & Learning Opportunities
 At the end of each task period a pre written
answer will be made available detailing the
answer, how it was obtained and hints for
further development
 Personalized responses will be sent out as
necessary

10. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Example
 Task
 Create a folder with your name on it in the R:
drive. Take a screen capture of the r: window
and save the image to your folder.
 Hint:
 Check out the first hit in this Google search

11. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Example
 Answer:
1. To open the r: drive, click on my computer, then select
r:. See this step
2. To create a folder, right click on the r: window and
select New…Folder OR File in the menu bar, then
New…Folder. See this step
3. To take a screen capture of the window, click
ALT+PrtSc. Open Microsoft Paint (Start…Programs…
Accessories…Paint) and select File…Paste (or
CTRL+V).
4. To save your screen capture to the R: drive, select
File…Save as…. Select R: and click OK. See this step

12. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Rewards
 All participants who successfully
complete all tasks are entered in a draw
for gift certificates to the campus
bookstore & computer centre

13. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Pilot Program
Assessment
 An qualitative assessment scheme will
be implemented with the pilot - a short
survey will be sent out at the completion
of each task.
 Quantitative analysis will also be
undertaken at the end of the pilot

14. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Challenges
 Buy in from administration
 Buy in from staff
 Task development
 Scale

15. Getting to Library 2.0 May 23rd 2007
Future Plans
 Fix?!?
 Expand
 Automate
 Teamwork