Task #10 - New Website

Well, I just got through going over every possible feature of the new website and I honestly feel that is absolutely amazing!  I couldn't find anything at all that was lacking.  I especially liked the feature about "How do I...".  My only suggestion would be to not have it as a drop-down. but simply list all the common stuff that is there, but have it listed separately below How do I, as links to go directly to such things as how to check holds, renew books, etc.  After all, we are trying to eliminate drop-downs and these are very common things that we get calls about all the time.  It would be more user friendly if these common things just jumped out at you.

Other than that one tiny suggestion, I feel that the site is great.  I like the footers and the fact that on almost every link, things appear again and again, so there is virtually no way they can be missed.

By the way, I realize that per my suggestion, all these things are spelled out in services, but it would be nice to have it set up the same way on the home page

Task # 9 Universal Class

Wow!!!!!   What a wonderful new resource!  I did option B, but I did register in case I wanted to take a class later.   I can see thousands of applications where this site could be invaluable for our patrons.  For example: Maybe you have trouble writing letters with the proper grammar - take the grammar class.  You want to do your own taxes or design your own budget - take an accounting class.  Want to brush up on your medical skills - take the medical course.  The list goes on and on.

I think that we should have a staff meeting to go over how the site works and discuss other possible uses, since I feel that it will become very popular.

I think that when a patron goes to our home page, there should be a scrolling pop up like the ones we currently have such as: Get the Library App, Consumer Reports, etc.  It could say something like:  New at all Mesa County Libraries:  Over 500 online courses to sharpen your skills.  Or something to that effect.  Anyway, its a great new site.  And what a coincidence.  As I am sitting here at the computer lab desk, I just had a patron want to sign up for one of the classes!

Task #8 Espanol Libguide

I was a little dissapointed in my score of 60%, but since I didn't attend the meeting on Spanish Libguide, I guess I can live with it.  I did however, go back and check the answers that I had wrong and was able to find the correct answers to each.  I found this site very interesting and I can see how it would be very, very helpful to our ever increasing Latino population here in GJ. Also, it was very easy to convert it from English to Spanish and vice versa

Task #7: Cloud Computing

Although I am not using either Google Docs or Dropbox at this present time, I think that Google Docs would be my first choice.  Since I only have one desktop computer at home, I probably wouldn't use most of the Dropbox features.  One of the things that I would use from Google Docs is the file sharing.

I would definitely suggest both of these to patrons as it is another good tool to make our lives easier.

Task # 6 Helping Patrons

Most of the questions were common sense.  However, I did get #4 wrong but when I did more research on it, I figured out where I went wrong.

A patron has requested information on magazine articles about gardening

a) Tell them that you don't garden so you wouldn't be much help to them

b) Show them how to access Masterfile on the Library Database

c) Suggest Newspaper Source since there could also be good articles available in various newspapers about gardening

d) b and c

One of the Rolling Stone Articles that I saw for 01/09/92 was:  Michael Jackson   The Making of the King of Pop.

Please put towards gift certificate

Task #3 Extra Credit