MLA Offline 2008 Sessions
Brought to you by the MLA Offline Interest Group
This is the lineup of the fine techno-librarian Offline presenters and their topics.
Martin Borg: Learn the Basics of ITconfig (Preconference)
With ITconfig you can
Martin Borg, Large Account Management Specialist from Gale, will teach you how to take advantage of these features.
- Enhance patrons' search experience by modifying the search options and interface.
- Run statistical reports to do an analysis of how Gale usage has changed over time.
- Add your library holdings to let patrons know that you own a particular magazine.
Mark Sheehan: Future Technologies for Libraries and Librarians: You Tell Me!
Mark Sheehan, who for seven years has spoken to Offline participants about the trends in information technology that touch librarians and their patrons, will turn the tables this year and lead a group discussion of the foreseeable future and what it holds for our profession. Dust off your imagination and your sense of wonder and join Mark for an hour and a half on fast-forward!
Mark Sheehan (Ph.D. 1979) was a professional botanist once but was lured into information technology early in the Reagan administration by the prospect of stimulating work and steady eats. He spent the next 25 years as an IT administrator, first at his alma mater, Indiana University, and then at Montana State University in Bozeman. In 2006, Mark followed twin itches to become a scholar again and to write for a living by accepting a research fellowship at the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research. ECAR is a think-tank of sorts embedded within the higher education IT world's principal professional association. There Mark studies the behavior of machines, people, and institutions in various contexts and combinations. Mark, his family, and their old-souled poodle, Sophie, now live on the outskirts of Boulder, Colorado and miss Montana intensely.
John Greer: Vista Can You See Clearly Now?
This presentation will highlight the advantages of the MS Vista operating system, new features will be demonstrated and ways to make your experience better will be shown. Free utilities and customizations will be covered that will help you make the most out of your new system.
John Greer is currently the Head, Technology & Systems Services for the Mansfield Library @ UM. He has held this position for 6+ years and works with all aspects of libraries and technology. John has experience working with Windows 95 on up, several flavors of Linux and Unix, and Mac OS X.
Megan Stark & Audra Loyal: Wii would like to play (in the library!)
Barbarians and wizards at your library door? Welcome them with gaming resources introduced in this workshop! From web-based games to Wii, Dance Dance Revolution to table-based role-playing, there’s something for everyone here. Join us to discuss how games and libraries are not mutually exclusive. You will leave this workshop with strategies for harmoniously implementing gaming in your library. No matter if you are a novice or a Jedi master…come ready to play!
Megan Stark has long been interested in gaming in libraries. She currently lives in Missoula and works at the Mansfield Library. She is also enrolled at the University of Washington’s iSchool where she is pursuing her MLIS.
Audra Loyal is a Conservation Technician at University of Montana's Mansfield Library. Her long-time affection for video games began with "Odyssey: the Compleat Adventure" for Apple IIe, and "Warlords" for Atari. From MUDs to 1st person shooters, to Diablo, Starcraft, RPGs and now Nintendo Wii, she's happily romped in many gaming pastures. She is currently enrolled in the University of Washington's distance MLIS Program while continuing her study of the Japanese language. In her free time, she devours non-fiction, makes pottery, and tinkers with electronic gadgets.
Ron White: PC Tuneup For The Technically Challenged
Ever wonder how to clean out the garbage everyone says is in your computer? Want to know how to tell how fast your system is or how much memory it has. Want to know the difference between Ram and HardDrive space? This class is for everyone, no matter the level of their technical skills. Ron will walk the class through cleaning out the junk, reorganizing the good stuff, checking the specs and what they mean, and how this stuff works together.
Ron White is a non-geek, friendly, computer tech with 20+ years of experience.
Samantha Schmehl Hines & Lauren McMullen: Give Your Library a Social Presence Online
Learn from Lauren and Samantha about tools and tips to get your library connected with social software. Hear what other libraries are doing and get started on your own projects. Participants will have an opportunity to practice using social sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Flickr and set up accounts for their library.
Samantha is the Social Sciences Librarian and Distance Education Coordinator at the Mansfield Library, University of Montana. She got her MS in Library and Information Science from University of Illinois in 2003.
Lauren is the Training Specialist at Montana State Library. She received her MLS from the University of North Texas in 2006.
Matt Beckstrom: Open Source Software
Not everyone realizes what a wealth of applications are available for free, for everyone to use! In this session, we will discuss the open source movement, what it means and how it works and play with some of the best free programs available including office applications, web software, games etc.
Matt Beckstrom is the Network Services Manager of the Lewis & Clark Library and has been tinkering with computers for almost 30 years!
Ben Miller: It’s a Jungle Out There: Computer Security
Learn how to successfully guide your small network through the security jungle. Learn tips and tools to help your library avoid common security pitfalls. There are big spiders on the web and you don’t want to get caught with your guard down.
When he is not busy being a local rock star, Ben Miller is the Information Services Technician/Library Assistant and keeps the technology humming at the Missoula Public Library.
Kami Griffiths: TechSoup MaintainIT Project
Learn how libraries tackle public computer technical issues in an informative and interactive session, where difficulties are aired and solutions are shared. Kami Griffiths, from TechSoup's MaintainIT Project, will pass on techniques and stories the project gathered from public libraries in Montana and beyond, and ask YOU to participate by sharing your triumphs and your tragedies so we can all learn from each other. Come prepared to learn about the resources both the MaintainIT Project and TechSoup can provide you and your library!
Since 1999, Kami has devoted herself to bridging the digital divide and creating educational programs for underserved communities. Kami began contributing her computer skills to non-profits while working for the human rights organization, Global Exchange. She then went on to the City of New York Parks & Recreation, teaching computer skills to welfare-to-work participants. Wanting to help all ages in our society, she launched a volunteer led children's literacy program and adult computer literacy program. Kami is currently a Senior Program Associate at TechSoup, providing technology solutions to non-profits nationwide and internationally. She continues to work on adult literacy issues by volunteering for Project Read in San Francisco.