Tag Archives: Edge initiative

Are you attending ALA Midwinter? Join us for the Edge Update on Saturday, Jan. 26

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Library EdgeJoin the Edge Coalition at ALA Midwinter to learn about the completion of Edge Benchmarks Version 1.0 and get an update on the Initiative. The Edge Information Session will take place on Saturday, January 26th at 10:30 a.m. in Room 611-614 of the Washington State Convention Center.

The Coalition will share how we’ve used feedback we received from the library field to strengthen and improve the Edge benchmarks, when and how we plan to roll out the Initiative to the field and how you can get involved.

A panel of library leaders and Edge Coalition members will share their perspectives on why the Edge Initiative is an important leadership and planning tool for public libraries. Panelists include:

  • Susan Allen, Director of Technology Services at Worthington Libraries (OH)
  • John Bertot, Edge Coalition Member and Professor at Maryland’s iSchool
  • Bob Bocher, Edge Coalition Member, ALA/OITP Fellow and Library Technology Consultant with the Wisconsin State Library
  • Marcia Johnson, Library Director, Miami Public Library (OK); and Edge Pilot Library

The panel discussion will be moderated by Edge Senior Program Manager Jake Cowan.

Edge will help libraries evaluate public access technology services and advance digital inclusion in their communities. The Edge Initiative will provide tools and resources library leaders can use to engage staff and local government officials in understanding where the library stands in relation to its peers, highlight how public access technology helps achieve community goals, and identify new ways of conducting business through best practices.

For more information about this public session or the Edge Initiative, please contact Alison Saffold at asaffold@urbanlibraries.org or visit www.libraryedge.org.

About Jacob Roberts

Jacob Roberts is the communications specialist for the ALA Washington Office.

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Posted in Accessibility, Library Advocacy, OITP, Public Libraries, School Libraries

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Edge public library benchmarks: Learn and comment at ALA12

Posted on June 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Over the past year, the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) has worked with the Public Library Association (PLA) and a host of other leading organizations that represent libraries and local government to draft a set of public access technology benchmarks as part of the Edge initiative, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As part of this work, the Edge coalition also has organized focus groups, interviewed librarians and hosted public meetings to discuss and share working drafts of the benchmarks and materials to support their use.

With the recent launch of the Edge website and an Annual Conference program planned for Sunday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m., you have another two opportunities to learn more and provide feedback on this important initiative. The Edge benchmarks (currently in beta) are intended to help already-busy library staff efficiently assess, improve, and support public access technology services for their users. Related training and support materials are in development to support library staff in using benchmark data to advocate for maintained and increased funding for technology services.

The Edge benchmarks are divided into three main groupings that assess community value (e.g., services that support digital literacy, education or e-government), engaging the community & decision makers (e.g., community needs assessment and community partnerships) and organizational management (e.g., technology planning, staff continuing education and technology deployment). In addition to seeking wide public comment on the current draft, the beta version of the Edge benchmarks will be pilot tested in select libraries in summer 2012.

Now is the time to share your comments and feedback on what works well, what could work better or even what might be missing in the current draft. The benchmarks are here, and there is a feedback survey link here.

You can also bring questions and comments to the Sunday program in Anaheim:

Join us in Anaheim to learn how Edge will help libraries
Sunday, June 24, 10:30 a.m.
Anaheim Convention Center, Room 201B

Join the Edge coalition in Anaheim to learn how Edge will help libraries assess, improve and advocate for enhanced public access technology services for their communities. This session will include an update on the initiative; an overview of the executive tool that will help library leaders communicate with the local decision makers about the benefits of continually re-investing in public access technology; and a moderated panel discussion with pilot librarians, a member of the Edge coalition, and a member of the Library Directors Advisory Group.

Thanks to all the folks who already have provided input during the development process so far, and we look forward to your continued comments as the coalition continues to improve and refine the benchmarks and supporting materials.

About Larra Clark

As Director of OITP's Program on Networks, and Associate Director of OITP's Program on America’s Libraries for the 21st Century, Larra’s responsibilities include overall management of OITP’s telecommunications portfolio and day-to-day management of our projects in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Previously, she served as the project manager in the ALA Office for Research & Statistics for three years.

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Posted in Digital Literacy, OITP, Public Libraries, Telecommunications

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Get Update on Technology Benchmarks at Midwinter Meeting

Posted on January 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Join the Edge coalition for an update on the development of public access technology benchmarks that will help public libraries strengthen the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of public access technology services to meet community needs.

The Edge update will take place Saturday, January 21, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center, Room A130/131. This forum will provide an overview of Edge, share early feedback from the field, and provide opportunities to give input on the beta benchmarks (which will be pilot tested in the coming months) and the tools public libraries will need to utilize the benchmarks.

Edge, formerly known as the Public Access Technology Benchmarks Initiative, is an effort to create a set of national benchmarks designed to inspire continuous improvement and reinvestment in public access technology services in public libraries. Developed by a coalition of leading library and local government organizations, this groundbreaking initiative will provide local library, government and community leaders with a much needed tool for ensuring opportunity for all.

ALA OITP and PLA are among the coalition members engaged in this work.

For more information about the Edge session, please contact Alison Saffold at asaffold@urbanlibraries.org.

About Jacob Roberts

Jacob Roberts is the communications specialist for the ALA Washington Office.

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Posted in OITP, Public Libraries, Telecommunications

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