What is this page?

 

At the first Cambridge Librarians' TeachMeet, held on 27 September 2010, everyone was invited to pose questions for speakers on post-it notes, to be answered after the event. So here are the questions, and answers should be appearing soon.

 

Contents

• Katie (Facebook Research)
• Chris (Flashmeeting)
• Anna (Prezi)
• Vanessa (Project blogs)
• Jenny (school to uni transition)
• Isla (Cephalonian inductions)
• Sarah (online tutorials)
• Libby (learning hubs)
• Niamh (LAT network)
• Clemens (3 banner problems)

 

Questions and Answers

 

Katie (Facebook Research)

-         can having a facebook presence undermine the institutional pages?

-         Are there issues with image/ branding/ ownership from under institution?

-         Did you ask about using FB for enquiries?

 

Q: can having a facebook presence undermine the institutional pages?

A: I think if your Facebook presence is wildly more successful than the institutional pages, then, yes, I suppose it could.  But if your Facebook page really does turn out to be meeting user needs so much more than the institutional pages, it may be that those institutional pages need work.  I know that's not always within librarians' power to do, but maybe that kind of undermining could be what it takes to make those in charge sort institutional pages out? That's quite a strident response, I know, but I think the converse approach - "we won't have a Facebook page because it might make our other pages look bad" might just be looking at the problem from the wrong angle. 

 

In summary: yes, I suppose they could, but I'm not sure I think that's a bad thing.

 

Q: Are there issues with image/ branding/ ownership from under institution?

A: This wasn't mentioned by anyone I spoke to - no-one said 'I do/don't like library Facebook pages because they do/don't match the library/institution brand'. But my gut instinct is that it does have an impact on how the page is perceived - the lack of branding might indicate that it's not trustworthy or reliable, or it might make it look less intimidating, or austere, or outdated, than institutional pages.  So the branding issue may be positive or negative.

 

Q: Did you ask about using FB for enquiries?

A: No, I'm afraid I didn't, and no-one brought it up themselves. My personal opinion is that if you use Facebook for enquiries you have to be prepared to answer very quickly otherwise users might well become disgruntled with it.

 

Chris (Flashmeetings)

 

Q: Flashmeeting – is it something that works better for a small group or a large conference? 

A: I think it is probably best suited to small to medium sized events. However, to a great extent it depends on how the technology is used. In a meeting type situation – it makes sense that all can take equal part, and that as well as ‘sitting’ in a queue to talk one can use the interrupt feature. However in a conference it makes more sense to concentrate on the speaker, with the attendees using the written chat facility during presentations, and only using the video facility to speak during intervals etc. The main issue whatever the size of the event is the quality of the recording ...which can only be as good as the equipment used (and making sure that the camera is set-up in such a way as to make the presentations visible and readable by those taking part)

 

Q: Love the idea of flashmeeting, will try it out when I get home!

A: Great :)

 

Q: Flashmeeting – what is the advantage over Second Life? Seeing people rather than avatars?

A: As I’ve never had a go at Second Life, I am not sure I can really comment on this. As long as the presentations could be properly displayed, and the speakers heard, I guess it is probably down to a matter of personal preference, and deciding if enough people used Second Life (or had the equipment to take part in a Flashmeet) before deciding if either was viable.

  

Q: Flashmeeting – does it allow screencasting?

A: There is a facility for the session to be recorded and the link to it to be put on the wiki. I need to spend more time looking at it to see what features are available within this.

 

Anna (Prezi)

-         Can prezi open presentations created in (eg) Powerpoint, impress, or similar?

-         Does it take very long to set up a prezi presentation?

-         Prezi – how long does it take to get the hang of it and write a presentation?

-         Clipart in prezi – or do you get it from elsewhere?

-         Prezi – is it at all accessible to those using screenreaders?

-         Are there any other similar programs out there?

 

Q: Can Prezi open presentations created in (eg) Powerpoint, Impress, or similar?

A: No. You can save a Powerpoint as a pdf (using Zamzar or the free Cutepdfprinter) and embed it into the online version of Prezi (you can synch online and offline versions.) but the Powerpoint will be flat and not interactive. But you can not use it to open Powerpoint or Impress from scratch, its not that sort of program.

 

Q: Does it take very long to set up a Prezi presentation?                        And

Q: Prezi – how long does it take to get the hang of it and write a presentation?                                                                                                   

A: Can you remember when you learned to use Powerpoint? It is similar. It took me about an evening to learn, watching the three minute instruction video (that opens automatically) over and over whenever I got stuck. My first presentation looked quite boring then I spent another two evenings making it bolder and better. Much as one would with a Powerpoint. When I came to make my second one (this one) I’d forgotten everything and had to learn again. Next time I will remember.

 

Q:Clipart in prezi – or do you get it from elsewhere?                         

A:You load up your own jpg png or gif files up to 2880 by 2880 pixels. I used some fun signs I made free from http://www.signgenerator.org you can embed files of up to 50MB  into a Prezi which will open when you click on them in the Prezi. File types include sounds, pdfs and even swf eg videos made with Jing. You can link to online videos too (risky- depends upon a reliable connection at the right minute.)

 

Q:Prezi – is it at all accessible to those using screenreaders?

A: This is a good point.  Unfortunately it seems screen readers cannot parse Prezis.

 

Q: Are there any other similar programs out there?

A: There is a similar program, similarly with a free version, called Ahead, see http://ahead.com/#view/lilaspaces/main/welcome?scene=HOME

 

Vanessa (project blogs)

-         what’s the funniest spam comment you’ve had?

-         I loved the footballers moustaches!

 

Jenny (school to uni transition)

-         Please come back and do an hour long talk / brown bag lunch

-         Can university librarians help school librarians?

-         In ideal world what would you put on your blog?

 

Q1 Please come back and do an hour long talk / brown bag lunch

A1 Would be delighted this will have to be in half term or outside school hours as I don't escape very often.

 

Q2. Can university librarians help school librarians?

A2. Yes, it would be useful for 6th formers in particular to have an idea of university libraries, how they operate, what is expected of students in behaviour, work laod etc. I think it would be a real eye opener. It would also be helpful for school librarians to be aware or have contact with all our local University librarians.

 

Q3. In an ideal world what would you put on your blog?

A3. In an  "ideal world", information on latest fiction, q & a with students on their information requests, links to my school library online resources, author videos, book reviews and trailers, anythuing to encourage reading.

 

Jenny Horler: jhorler@harlington.org

 

Isla (Cephalonian introductions)

-         what do you do when no-one asks a question?

-         Have you tried this with more in depth teaching sessions (eg IL)?

-         How do you handle info that is not covered by the questions?

-         Do you try to avoid negatives in this method? Or at least bundle them in with the positives?

-         Will you sneak things in at the end they didn’t ask but really need to know?

-         If you have a list of things that you think library users need to know, how easy is it to make sure you cover them all in the informal setting?

 

Q - what do you do when no-one asks a question?

A.  Sometimes I wait - there's bound to be someone who can't stand the silence. Sometimes I prompt them with (potentially patronising!) charade type miming of a book, and sometimes I re-phrase the question - from "what do you hope to get out of this library?" into "what did you use the last library you used for?"

 

Q - have you tried this with more indept teaching sessions (eg IL)?

A - Not yet - but it's an interesting possibility - perhaps you could try it, and report back at the next teachmeet?

 

Q - how do you handle info that is not covered by the questions?

Q - will you sneak things in at the end they didn't ask but really need to know?

A - to a certain extent the 2nd question answers in the first. My answers are never just the answer to the question, but a broader answer (eg when are you open? is answered with "we're open from 8am-10pm, and there's always someone on duty whom you can ask for help", "how many books can I borrow?" "you can borrow 5, and the loan period is 4 weeks, and you can renew loans once.." and so on. So to an extent it's not sneaking information in at the end, but more a case of answering a bigger/broader question that was actually asked. 

 

Q - Do you try to avoid negatives in this method? Or at least bundle them in with the positives?

A - Not sure I know what you mean - perhaps a negative is the fact that we charge fines for late return, but we send email reminders that your book is due back? If so, then yes, I try to balance "negatives" with positives. Doesn't membership of a library have responsibilities as well as rights? and so any responsibilities which are ignored might be penalised (a negative?) Let me know if this was not what you meant.

 

Q - If you have a list of things that you think library users need to know, how easy is it to make sure you cover them all in the informal setting?

A - So far, I've found it fairly easy - but that might not be helpful to you. I think I find it easier the more I do this style of introduction - you see the opportunities certain questions offer to talk about more than just the obvious answer.

eg "how many books" can lead to the catalogue as easily as email reminders, "what journals do you have?" leads to suggestions that you might need to search a database such as web of knowledge before you know what articles you need, as easily as it does to talking about paper plus e-journals, and passwords, and catalogues etc.) 

I'm never expecting anyone attending to remember absolutuely everything I say (sadly), but what I hope to convey is an impression of a friendly, open library where people can ask questions - so when they can't remember how many books they can borrow, they'll (hopefully) be more relaxed about asking in the future. 

 

Sarah (online tutorials)

-         would you be happy to give a workshop on how to create an online video tutorial?

-         Adobe captivate – can you share the e-journal video? Interact with university medic service(?)

-         have you had any user feedback on videos?

-         Adobe captivate – but how much does it cost?

-         Hits on video tutorials? Are they watching them all, or is it just number of hits?

 

Q. Would you be happy to give a workshop on how to create an online video tutorial?

A. I would gladly show anyone how to use Adobe Captivate. I have already taught my colleagues how to use it, one to one. However I have also demonstrated other software to a class of 50 students and I think it'll work well in that format as well. Contact me at: s.burton@jbs.cam.ac.uk and we'll arrange something. 

 

Q. Can you share the e-journal video?

A. It is already shared via the world wide web. For the ejournals video and other examples of our video tutorials , just go to our blog: http://cjbsinfo.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/list-of-video-tutorials/

 

Q. Have you had any user feedback on videos?

A. We haven't had any comments on the blog, but the library survey results show that they are appreciated; they are the favourite remote training option, ahead of user guides. Obviously, students prefer training in person. 

 

Q. How much does it cost?

A. The university has a discount with Adobe, as well as several very favourable contracts with other suppliers. So you may well be able to knock off a considerable amount from the $800 that Adobe charges. I'm afraid our copy of Adobe Captivate was ordered by our IT department and we don't know the price we paid for it. 

 

Q. Hits on video tutorials?

A. When I quoted we had almost 200 hits, that was for the video tutorials page and not the individual tutorials. The number has now increased to 219.  

 

Libby (Learning hubs

Q. How obviously is it linked from faculty website? And how easy is it to get prominence for sthg like that on larger website

A. It is one of the 'quick links' on the website - one of 5 which I hope is as obvious as you can get. Our website is likely to change this coming year and so you may need to keep an eye on it if you link to any parts of it. In terms of getting prominence for something like this on a larger website it depends on promotion - we've made it part of the quick links - it will be embedded in various other places like our CamTools site, promoted via our fresher practical sessions (nearly all college fresher groups are booked into library practicals this year)

Q. Can we put a link to your learning hub blog on our blog?

Sure

 

Niamh (LAT network)

Q. inductions – amass resources about different ways of approaching inductions – this is a topic that I’ve heard loads about over the last few months.

A. Great suggestion, I'll pass it on to Jo.

 

Clemens (3 banner problems)

- been following the new blog and loving it!