We have conceived of a process through which Middlebury College community members can propose LIS resources for digitization, and also conceptualized a committee that would evaluate those proposals and prioritize projects.

The first step is the nomination of a project.  This can be done by a curator of a collection or any faculty or staff member or student who feels an LIS resource should be digitized.   The form for nominating such a project is here and we would like to get feedback on it from anyone who has it to offer.  The final version would presumably be a web-based form, but this would be up to the committee.

Here are the guidelines we suggest the committee use to evaluate nominated projects.  Numerical points (on a scale to be established by the committee) would be assigned to each element.  (The guidelines will be made available to nominators so they are aware of the judging criteria when they fill out their nomination form.)

Please pass along your thoughts either in a comment here or email me at holzapfe AT midd….

Deliverable
-Develop an ongoing program to learn “FIVE NEW THINGS” in TEN WEEK time chunks
-Menu of FIVE THINGS” that evolves to match new tech trends and directions
-Self-paced; self-scheduled menu of learning platform choices to suit schedules and work demands – web-based; workshops; 1:1 and small group tutorials
-Menu of modules to choose from – with Liberal Arts model of distribution areas, requirements and electives; with a focus on tangible tools and practical, applicable know-how
-System to track accomplishments and incorporate into performance process

Possible menu of competency modules:
-Blogging – read, comment, publish; rss; tagging
-Wiki – add a page; edit a page; be able to seach and find documentation; tagging
-Library Resources -how to search Library data-bases and catalog
-Print/copy – troubleshooting
-Smart classroom – troubleshooting; how-to
-Personal computing
-Photo and image – search, edit, resources
-Web bookmarking tools
-Web-based/cloud applications and computing
-Podcasts, video, streaming, music
-Personal web pages -iGoogle; Drupal profiles ; College Directory
-Real-time trends – twitter etc.
-Geo and location
-Mobile computing
-Social Gaming
-Personal privacy issues
-Social web

Outcome
-Stay current with trends in library and information services
-Develop a “Change ready” attitute
-Gain confidence in ability to learn new tools
-Bridge LIS work areas
-Decrease fear of learning new things
-Open minds to new ideas
-Encourage discovery and innovation in the workplace
-Encourage staff to explore new tech with an eye to integrating into daily work
-Engage in activities to inspire imagination, curiosity
-Learning as its own reward
-Have fun
-Collaboration across User Services and LIS
-Foster team ethic
-Share knowledge – learn and teach
-Create an environment and have expectations for staff to work together
-Develop generalist knowledge of LIS resources and tools; and emerging technologies

Delivery
-Inventory skills; identify experts – May ‘10
-Develop the list of competency modules – July ‘10
-Create a system of MY FIVE THINGS to track individual and group progress – July ’10
-Every staff member in User Services contracts to accomplish at least 5 modules from menu – Sept ‘10
-Celebrate the accomplishments – Sept ‘10
-Evaluate and assess program – what worked/did not? Re-evaluate effectiveness of program, system, platform – go/no go of program – Nov ‘10
-If go –develop new menu offerings – Jan ‘11

Resources
-Align with newly formed Training Team to support leaning opportunities
-Partner with Web Team to learn about WordPress and Media wiki
-Curriciular Technology Team as a resource for identifying new technology learning meeds
-Internal “experts” identified to direct learning modules
-Collaborate with LIS Liaison program

Viability
-Minimum outcome – all US staff exposed to 5 new skills
-Maximum outcome – 50% US staff exceed goal – and go beyond the 5 new things
-Low cost – potential to tap into existing low cost/free resources and tools
-Flexible
-Partnering across User Services
-Non-threatening, self-paced, self-scheduled learning
-Realistic – 5 small steps at a time
-Allows participation by all
-Fun and productive; self-motivating
Possible barriers:
-Changing LIS org structure
-Time
-Pressing demands of day-to-day work
-Fewer staff resources