19th Sep 2007
Foundation OKs $12K for Computer Lab
I’ve been sitting on this since last week because I had to wait on the Trustee vote, which happened last night. But, I just got the permission to post from my director, and I can’t stand it a second longer.
Ruth Urell, the director of my library, is on a mission to do as much infrastructure improvement as she possibly can at Reading Public Library, where I work. A few months ago, she revealed to me that part of the plan was to hopefully revamp our little Computer Lab into a more hospitable, presentation-ready space by proposing a plan to the Reading Public Library Foundation.
Because of Ruth’s much appreciated hard work in presenting the plan, the Foundation approved it unanimously. They are excited to help the library to improve that particular space, given how much our technology and technology services have improved in the past two years, and, apparently, in part because of the work and efforts of a certain technology librarian in reference ;). It was definitely really nice to hear that my efforts are so appreciated in such beneficial ways for the library. The Reading Public Library Trustees subsequently approved the plan last night, and we have been given $12,000 to improve the space! w00t!
Ruth gets all the credit for the main plan for the space, and many thanks for involving me in the process and taking all of my concerns and plenitudinous input into consideration. User habits were of high concern and my teaching habits were a top priority in planning the space, so I am quite pleased with the whole thing. Some of the changes in the plan include:
- A SMART Board
- Some sort of projection system, ideally ceiling-suspended (we have a tin ceiling behind the drop ceiling, so we’ll see what can be done)
- 6 new flat panel monitors
- New chairs
- New desks
- A presentation stand for me and a laptop
- A door
I believe that new windows and painting will come from the library’s funds, as well as windows and window treatments (blinds, likely, but perhaps a non-glare glaze/treatment as well).
While the ideas to expand the lab, or even add more computers to the existing space, were tossed around, there really isn’t enough space to expand into, and adding more desks would mean configuring the room such that people couldn’t just face forward to see the board. So, we’ll stay with the 6 station lab for now.
That’s OK, though, because my dream is to land a grant that allows us to purchase 25 laptops, which can either be lent out to patrons inside the library, or used to convert the much larger Meeting Room into a very large classroom. One of these days, in my oh-so-copious spare time, I’ll find the right grant and file the application.
For now, I’m super stoked! I’ll keep you posted on how things progress.
Tags: classes, computerlab, Reading Public Library, technology, training, work
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Congratulations Andrea!
YAY!!!! I hope you post before and after pics!
That is very awesome! We have to keep up with quality computers and quality spaces. Your next issue may be bandwidth
Hi Andrea,
Yay! Congratulations! You do great things there and this will only enhance them, I’m sure!
We recently moved into a new building and I’m loving having a new lab, too. One thing I’m finding in classes is that some people like to bring their own laptops, so we’ve adjusted the seating so there are spaces for that. I am guessing that it will be an increasing trend (we train librarians, not the public though).
I feel guilty - have had the SMART board for years, but I under-utilize it and treat it like a plain old projection screen most of the time. We have also not yet mounted our projector in the new space and I’m wondering if we will. It’s sort of cool to leave it flexible.
Will look forward to reading more about your lab re-do!
Karin: Thanks! Will do. We like to take before and after pics for renovations and stuff at my library (although we often don’t publish them). I think the Foundation would really appreciate us highlighting the extent of the before and after!
Jeff: So far, our bandwidth has been awesome for the 25 computers in the library. There are 4 T1 lines (Level 3 Internet) at the NOBLE library network center, which connect to a T3 pipe that goes out to 2 T1 lines that serve 33 libraries. We’ll soon also be connected to the Town’s fiber pipes, as supplement/backup internet. So I think we’ve got that covered for now.
Brenda: Thank you for such kind words. Where are the pics of your new digs? I wanna see!
My plan for the SMART board is to be able to use notes from slides to improve class plans, as well as add those additions to slides, or even as animations to screencasty tutorials for the forthcoming new site. While I’d like to have a portable board, I think the room is too small, but we’ll see what we can get.
Great news - Congrats!!!
That is super-awesome! Congratulations!