Teaching Managers about Emerging Trends

by David Lee King on March 23, 2007

Here’s something I’m doing at my library right now, and thought I’d share. The managers at my library meet every week (I’m a manager, too). Part of that weekly meeting is “my time.” We’ve been calling it simply “Cool Stuff” – I usually do a short presentation on a Web 2.0 product or concept, or talk about an emerging techie trend, then we hold a discussion about it. It usually lasts for 10-20 minutes of our 2-hour meeting.

So far, here’s what I’ve talked about:

  • mindmapping software (showed MindJet’s MindManager Pro)
  • discussed our library’s Digital Branch plans and progress
  • Google Docs & Spreadsheets
  • AADL catalog and AquaBrowser
  • How I keep up with blogs
  • Twitter
  • Toured our Second Life storefront and discussed plans

Outcomes so far? We’re purchasing a 10 user license of MindManager; all managers know the direction we’re going with our digital branch; they’re getting familiar with web 2.0 tools; they’ve seen what OPACs can do (especially timely, since we’re a Horizon site); and they have been introduced to Second Life and know what we plan to do with our storefront.

So, IT/Technology manager – what are YOU doing to keep your managers up-to-date with technology?

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  • holly

    Not an IT Manager, but I just started something similar at my library called “Tech Bites.” We have 2 monthly meetings with supervisors from around our district, and I’m taking about 15 minutes at each meeting to introduce them to a new website/technology thingie. We’re facing a fair number of branch supervisors who aren’t able to find the time to check all these things out, so I’m trying to help and make sure they at least know what these things are that our patrons are using (and asking questions about too). So far, so good!

  • holly

    Not an IT Manager, but I just started something similar at my library called “Tech Bites.” We have 2 monthly meetings with supervisors from around our district, and I’m taking about 15 minutes at each meeting to introduce them to a new website/technology thingie. We’re facing a fair number of branch supervisors who aren’t able to find the time to check all these things out, so I’m trying to help and make sure they at least know what these things are that our patrons are using (and asking questions about too). So far, so good!

  • http://gathernodust.blogspot.com Jeff

    Very cool concept on how to get everyone on board with technology. I have been trying to get my staff to subscribe to bloglines or to look at other library trends. This will give me more to work from, thanks.

  • Janice

    Once again, your blog is so very helpful for what I am trying to accomplish. I am trying to get our staff to take part in a “Reader’s Advisory” blog. They are going to be “encouraged” to post book reviews of their fav’s. Yahoo!
    I have not thought about Google Docs for staff before though, great idea, thanks again.

  • Janice

    Once again, your blog is so very helpful for what I am trying to accomplish. I am trying to get our staff to take part in a “Reader’s Advisory” blog. They are going to be “encouraged” to post book reviews of their fav’s. Yahoo!
    I have not thought about Google Docs for staff before though, great idea, thanks again.

  • http://www.librarianinblack.net/ Sarah Houghton-Jan (LiB)

    crying pitifully in the corner, begging for scraps of resources? :} i think your approach is the better one tho…

  • http://www.librarianinblack.net Sarah Houghton-Jan (LiB)

    crying pitifully in the corner, begging for scraps of resources? :} i think your approach is the better one tho…

  • http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?AID=252029&T=3509 Howard Bishop Ellis

    Doing grad work in Library Mgt. When you talk with your colleagues about technology, what comes up in the way of challenges libraries face with constantly evloving technology and societal expectations for information access?

  • http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?AID=252029&T=3509 Howard Bishop Ellis

    Doing grad work in Library Mgt. When you talk with your colleagues about technology, what comes up in the way of challenges libraries face with constantly evloving technology and societal expectations for information access?

  • http://gathernodust.blogspot.com/ Jeff

    Very cool concept on how to get everyone on board with technology. I have been trying to get my staff to subscribe to bloglines or to look at other library trends. This will give me more to work from, thanks.

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