The future of libraries is changing; technology is having a big impact on what we thought of as “that quiet book place.” The Liberty Hill Public Library is fortunate to have recently been awarded a grant for a Texas Workforce Commission workstation. Sometime during February or March, we will be receiving a fully outfitted computer from the TWC that will be dedicated to job seekers. This spring, libraries across the state will be joining together for classes on revamping computer use policies, giving job seekers and those taking online classes priority to computer use.
Our local Central Texas Library System has partnered with two other systems to bring ResumeMaker to the Liberty Hill Public Library and our patrons. Links are being added to our website and to all access point so that this software can be accessed from within the library or from your home.
Our local library system has also listened to requests the LHPL and other libraries have submitted regarding a need for beginning computer classes. In approximately 7 months, we will be seeing classes such as “Computers for Beginners” being unveiled within the Liberty Hill community. Our four computers will be utilized and our regional system will be bringing in laptops and instructors so that we may maximize exposure to the class. Dates are not yet set, but be assured that the classes will be FREE to all participants. Once local staff has been trained to teach, these will become ongoing classes.
Currently, our staff is participating in a learning program called “23 Things”. It is a program dealing with web 2.0 technologies that are in use today and enveloping us in the use of them. Web 2.0 includes such things as blogging, avatars, flickr, virtual worlds, twitter and many of the mashups in existence. The internet is now a two way street, not just for information reading, but for users to build and be a part of. Ask us for help, you might be surprised how up-to-date we are on technology knowledge!
The Liberty Hill Public Library is involved in social networking and other technologies, believe it or not! Follow us on:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liberty-Hill-TX/Liberty-Hill-Public-Library/61011038795?ref=nf
Twitter http://twitter.com/LHPL
delicious http://delicious.com/lhpl for reference help
Sandy has a blog located at http://lhpl.blogspot.com/
Susan’s blog is at http://theheartofthehill.blogspot.com/
LHPL website at www.lhpl.org has links to all on the front page.
Oh, by the way, we also have a chat window you can contact us through for immediate answers, again located on our website.
One very simple piece of technology you need to know if you have a computer.....you can access your library account online. Again, head to our website and midway down the page you will see in red, “YOUR ACCOUNT.” Click this link and follow directions to log into your account. You now have the ability to browse our catalog, review books, read reviews, renew and reserve books, among other things. We will soon be adding the option to pre-reserve books by the most popular authors.
Keep your eyes open. Technology changes fast and we are staying at the forefront. As we’ve been reading in the library journals, we as library staff must embrace and use this technology or be left behind. We look forward to helping you in any way we can. Remember, we are YOUR free community library. Come check us out!
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