SCLS Technology News

New Virtual Reality Kits

Virtual reality is new and improved for library programs this year!  We have just purchased 2 new Oculus Meta virtual reality headsets to loan to libraries. 

The Oculus Meta Quest 2 is a new VR headset that allows users to play, work out, explore, and learn in a virtual world.  The kit includes the headset, controllers and everything else you need.  A TV/projector is not included or required, however it does allow everyone in the room to watch and enjoy.

There are 2 different VR kits to choose from:  The Oculus Meta Quest 2  or the PlayStation 4.  They both can play virtual reality games and videos, however they are a little different.  They also have some different games, please check website for current list of games.

Oculus doesn't require a TV or projector (although one can be used so everyone in the room can watch, is easier to set up, and has less cables and more freedom of space.

PlayStation 4 requires a TV or projector, has lots of cables, but can be used just as a gaming console with disc games. 

 

Reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be confirmed with an email from myself.  The kits can be checked out for up to 10 days, but only one kit at a time.

This equipment is intended for in-library use only and only for reservations by library staff members.

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the reservation form or send me an email at [email protected].

 

Check availability and reserve the kits here.

 

Learn more about the Meta Quest 2.

 

Mobile Circulation Kits--Easy as a Picnic Basket

What do picnic baskets and the SCLS mobile circulation kits have in common?

--They are portable
--They contain cool and useful things
--They are great to use in the summer

By now you probably have your summer programs all planned out but it may not be too late to consider using one of the mobile circulation kits for remote programs. They can enhance the program by providing wi-fi for the attendees and you can even register patrons, check out books and print receipts!

The following are actual uses of the mobile hots spots (which are included in the circulation kits) during the pilot program last summer:

--Patron registration at Farmer's Market and County Fair 
--Outreach program in rural town hall
--Played music at a summer learning presentation in a park
--Presentation on library apps at local restaurant
--Outreach at local park

Reserve yours today! 

 

Embed from Getty Images

 

Reminder: Mobile circ kits are still available

Is your library interested in taking your checkout desk on the road?

Although our Mobile Hotspot Pilot Project is finished, SCLS still has 2 mobile circulation kits available for reservation by SCLS libraries until December 2017. Each mobile circ kit includes:

• laptop (with charger, case, and mouse)
• Verizon hotspot and charger
• battery-powered receipt printer and charger
• USB barcode scanner
• surge protector
• extra receipt printer paper
• setup guide

The mobile circulation kits provide a great opportunity for libraries without hotspots to try one out, or for Koha libraries to test out a battery powered receipt printer for doing checkout outside the library.

Libraries may reserve a mobile circ kit for up to two weeks.

Mobile Maker Mania!

In 2015 SCLS used federal LSTA Technology grants (and other resources) to compile several mobile maker kits that libraries may borrow. These kits include a scanning kit, sewing machines, and a stop motion animation & video editing kit in addition to the Lego Mindstorm labs that were available in 2014. More information. Some of you have already incorporated some of these kits into your programming and we are hearing good things about them.

If you are curious about the kits, there is an open house this coming Thursday (4/14) from 9 am to 3 pm at the McMillan Public Library in Wisconsin Rapids (called Mobile Maker Mania!). Registration is not required and you may drop in at any time. More information.

3D Printing and Scanning Kit

SCLS has a 3D Printing and Scanning kit in the works!

The kit will contain:

• a 3D printer
• an iPad with a 3D scanner
• and a laptop with software for both!

The techs have been experimenting a bit with the printer and with the 3D scanning software in preparation for putting the kit together and writing the documentation. Here is a peek at some of the nifty things they've been up to...

Time lapse video of the printing of a 3D octopus

Scanning Craig with the 3D scanner

Printing the techs in 3D

Interested in learning more about the 3D Printing and Scanning Kit, as well as other SCLS Mobile Maker Kits? SCLS will be hosting 2 Maker Kit Open Houses -- one at SCLS HQ on March 2, and another at McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids on April 14th.  Sign-up is not required. Stop by one of the Open Houses to see them in action and try them out!

September 2014 Project Report

© 2012 Robert, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio

Technology Report for 9/10/14 Technology Committee Meeting

Library Fiber Project - The bandwidth upgrade project is nearing completion. 25 libraries have had bandwidth increases to-date. 7 libraries have completed the inside-the-building pre-requisite work necessary to bring fiber into their library. We are now working on moving most libraries that have moved to Charter and VPN back to BadgerNet. 5 libraries have moved from a VPN solution back to BadgerNet after fiber had been installed.

Library-MUFN - The Madison Meadowridge Branch is the third Madison Public Library System to come up on MUFN (Metropolitan Unified Fiber Network). The next library in the queue is the Hawthorne Branch.

E-commerce - There is one last issue that surfaced during the final software setup phase that is an issue with Envisionware and VeriFone. It is back in the hands of Envisionware. Once that issue is fixed, we will announce implementation plans. We are asking ILS for a 4 month period to work out how fines / fees will be distributed.

O365 - Things are going GREAT! Between June and August 90% of SCLS libraries participating in Office 365 have migrated. The Office 365 team is working with the remaining libraries to schedule their migration dates. The next phase of this project is to move SCLS-hosted email lists to WiscNet over the course of the next few months.

Windows 8.1 - Most new staff computers will have Windows 8.1 installed on them. SCLS Headquarters and Monroe are the first locations to have new Windows 8.1 staff stations. A Windows 8.1 configuration for public stations is being developed right now. Both the staff and patron configuration will be very similar to the Windows 7 configuration.

Limited Term Employees - We hired two new half time LTE employees to assist with covering the Help Desk, prepping PCs and data entry work. They are Jordan Rueden and William Allington. Both Jordan and Will are participating in IT programs at MATC. We are happy to have them on board!

Madison Public Library Meadowridge Branch - SCLS Technology services staff have worked with Madison Public Library to meet the needs for the new building. This included preparation of the network, installation of PCs, support for VendPrint and Enterprise Wireless. All the work is complete and ready for the library opening which is slated for next week.

Drupal - 20 of 40 member library websites have been migrated to Drupal. This summer, we welcomed DFT and DCL to the list of Drupal sites hosted by SCLS and kept sites up to date with security releases. Samuel Streiffer has returned to SCLS for the next year as an LTE and will be assisting with website content migration and programming.

2015 LSTA Grant: The 2015 LSTA grant technology was submitted on Monday, September 8. The grant includes the following:

• Purchase network equipment to increase the bandwidth in libraries with a critical need ($15,000)
• Provide assistance for libraries planning to join the shared ILS (LINKcat) using the open source LibLime Koha software ($2,000)
• Provide a Discovery Layer for the LINKcat OPAC of the shared ILS ($18,000)
• Create maker kits for libraries to use in their programming ($8,900):
• Sewing machines and cases (6)
• Portable 3-D printer and filament
• iPads for stop motion videos (also light boxes, microphones, lights, tripods and software) (6 total)
• 6 photo/slide/negatives scanners.
• SCLS will purchase laptops to support the kits for a total approximate cost of $3,000.

SCLS Technology Day--April 29 at Madison Public Library Central

SCLS to hold a Technology Day, April 29 9:15 to 3:45

Come and check out the new Madison Public Library Central branch and hear Head Bubblerian, Trent Miller, talk about the new and innovative programming happening at the library. Then take your choice of table talks and find out more about LINKcat/Koha, OverDrive (including some new devices), Square for payments, LibraryBox, Awesome Box and 3D printing, or brainstorm with your colleagues about new technologies and how you can utilize them in the library. Stay for the afternoon and get a sneak peek at Office 365 and a tour of the Library.

Registration

Registration is open and available here:

http://host.evanced.info/scls/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=1969

 

Full Agenda

 

9 - 9:15 Registration & Refreshments (Chocolaterian)

 

9:15 - 10:30 Bubbler & Hackerspace Programming with Trent Miller, Head Bubblerian, Madison Public Library

 

Hackerspace, makerspace, community workshop. Call it what you will but they are popping up all around the nation, including several in Wisconsin. Jesse Vieau and Trent Miller from Madison Public Library will share their experiences in creating the Bubbler, a community maker program that is featured in Madison's newly remodeled downtown library.

 

10:45 - 11:15; 11:15 - 11:45; 11:45 - 12:15 Table Talks

 

Koha/LINKcat Mobile Technologies Table (ILS Staff)

 

ILS staff will talk about ways that libraries are using Koha for mobile checkout, and mobile uses for reports. This will also be an opportunity for library staff to share what they have been doing.

 

Gadget/OverDrive Table with Jean Anderson

 

Jean will have a couple of new gadgets to share with you. In addition, we’ll talk about OverDrive Support and how your library can provide the best patron support possible.

 

Square for Payments with Sue Ann Kucher

 

Online credit card payment will be available for LINKcat users in late spring, 2014.  However, this service will be limited to fines and fees in Koha.  Hear how the Reedsburg Public Library uses Square as their cash register. In addition to fines and fees, they use Square to collect payments for Friends merchandise, donations, and Local History materials.

 

LibraryBox, Awesome Box, and 3D Printing with Ben Miller

 

Ben will talk about boxes in the library - the LibraryBox, Awesome Box, and 3 D printers (which are kind of box shaped) - and how Sauk City is using all three of these in the everyday life of the library. Bring your questions or examples and join the discussion.

 

Library Technology Innovations (Vicki Teal Lovely and Technology Staff)

 

This will be an open-ended brainstorming session to discuss miscellaneous technology needs.  Those present will set the topics.  For example, we could have an impromptu discussion about maker spaces.  Or, perhaps you want to try providing tablets for your libraries and you are wondering how others are accomplishing this. You can bring questions and/or your ideas to share.

12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)

1:30 - 2:30 p.m Office 365 Sneak Peek (repeated at 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)

You’ve heard about Office 365, now it’s time to experience it!  Join us for a demo that will include an awesome overview, a chance to ask all of your great questions, and an opportunity to learn about what’s coming next! We’ll even have a few computers set up so you can try it out!

 

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Tour of Madison Public Library (repeated at 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)

 

E-Readers now available as kits

For over a year, SCLS has provided E-readers such as Kindles, Nooks, and Sony E-Readers for members to use in their libraries.  The readers were available ala carte, and as a kit.

Starting in August, we're combining the e-readers with a laptop in a custom case, creating two separate kits for you to borrow: 

E-Reader Kit I - which includes a NOOK Color, Kindle Touch, Sony Reader (Touch edition) and a laptop.

E-Reader Kit II - which includes a Kindle 2, NOOK - 1st Generation, Sony Reader, and a laptop.

You can check the availability of the E-Reader kits any time by viewing the Gadget Calendar.