Technology
Core to library services, access to technology requires active and ongoing planning. Technology plans should support library strategic planning, include more than just computers, accommodate new and emerging technologies, and include staff training. This section has tips for planning as well as inspiration for what your plan could include.
Articles and Resources
Data for Good
Publish Date: News / 8 October 2024
Businesses make use of data analytics to gain valuable insights about their services, customers, and growth opportunities. Similarly, libraries are well positioned to play a pivotal role in analyzing raw data to assist community partners in identifyi...
Case study: Raising awareness of data analytics in Pottsboro, TX
Publish Date: News / 7 October 2024
Pottsboro, a rural community of just over 2,500 residents in north Texas, is part of an area of the state referred to as “Silicon Prairie.” Sherman, Texas, about 30 miles from Pottsboro is home to a new microchip factory which is expected to have an ...
Empowering Informed Communities
Publish Date: News / 18 June 2024
Public libraries are uniquely positioned to support communities facing current information-related challenges. To do this, library workers need research-based resources and tools on information literacy and misinformation.
Researchers .....
Media and information literacy: Resources that address misinformation
Publish Date: News / 6 June 2023
At a time when the concept of truth is frequently being challenged, media and information literacy enables people to question critically what they have read, heard, and learned.
Media and information literacy includes having the knowl.....
Libraries get reel: Connecting to community with short videos
Publish Date: News / 7 March 2023
The Milwaukee Public Library has been making headlines for their creative TikTok posts that have reached millions of people. After opening their account in summer 2022, it didn’t take long for their posts to start going viral. And everyone gets in on...
Localizing the misinformation escape room
Publish Date: News / 11 August 2022
Even before the official launch of Loki’s Loop in June 2022, the research team at the University of Washington Information School received numerous requests for collaboration from across the world. The first two organizations they agreed to support a...
The Euphorigen Investigation: Backgrounder
Publish Date: News / 13 June 2022
Are there patrons at your library who seem to be influenced by misinformation? Have you tried to provide them with trustworthy information, or offered tips on how to better search? Have you provided digital or media literacy programs that teach criti...
Closing equity gaps with community partnerships: Key resources from WebJunction
Publish Date: News / 17 May 2022
At the Public Library Association’s 2022 conference, Dr. Audrey Barbakoff gave a talk on "Digital equity through community partnerships," in which she discussed how community partnerships can be building blocks for sustainable digital inclu...
Drive social media success that connects on a personal level
Publish Date: News / 4 January 2022
How can you engage purposefully on social media with the different communities your library serves while also addressing larger, system-wide goals and policies? The concept of “social care” offers a clue. Social care differs from traditional customer...
Host a new virtual misinformation escape room at your library
Publish Date: News / 25 October 2021
Is your public library looking for a fun way to teach community members about spotting misinformation in social media? Do you know people in your community who like to solve puzzles, play live-action adventure games, or who are craving some structure...
Return to the real: The library as social connector
Publish Date: News / 28 January 2019
Slides and related resources for a session presented at the 2019 ALA Midwinter conference in Seattle, by Betha Gutsche and Jennifer Peterson.
Best Practices and Planning for Digitization Projects
Publish Date: News / 23 May 2018
Alyce L. Scott, a lecturer with the School of Information at San Jose State University, explores the best practices and planning needed for digitization projects.
Social media and libraries survey summary
Publish Date: News / 13 February 2018
WebJunction and TechSoup for Libraries collaborated on a series of free webinars focused on Libraries and Social Media. In conjunction with the 2017 series, we invited participation in a survey to learn more about how libraries use social media. The ...
Social media policy examples
Publish Date: News / 17 January 2018
In fall 2017, WebJunction cohosted a series of webinars with TechSoup on social media in libraries. In conjunction with the series, library staff were asked in a survey, if social media policies were in place in their libraries. The most common respo...
Two opportunities to develop tech skills with Geek Squad Academy and Best Buy Teen Tech Centers
Publish Date: News / 28 November 2017
Scientific discovery and technological innovation play a major role in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. By expanding participation in STEM education, libraries are helping to prepare the next generations to meet these challenges.