What are we already doing related to the question?
If we wanted to consider starting this initiative or expanding what we are already doing, what do we want to learn about it from our future speakers? What questions do we want to ask during our upcoming speaker series?
We could be doing a lot more in this area. I think equipping the computer in the study room with camtasia, speakers, webcam, microphone, audacity and any other software we can think of with that nice large monitor would be fabulous. I also think we should check out cameras, video cameras and special laptops equipped with dreamweaver, photoshop and camtasia would be great (and of course the laptops should have microphones and webcams). We could check out digital recording equipment, too. Oh and while I am making a list, a color printer for the students would be nice, too. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThere is a shortage of space for some departments doing human subject research. In particular the recording equipment (audio and video) could make it possible for grad students (and in some cases faculty) to engage in research that might otherwise be out of reach.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn the oral history program we're frequently approached with requests to loan out video and audio recorders, but since we depend on this equipment for our own projects, we're pretty restricted in what we are able to do if the project isn't tied to the OOHRP. At other universities, I have seen specific departments whose entire focus is on lending and supporting multimedia hardware. Sometimes these departments are in a library, but I have also seen them in other areas of the university. I do think that it would be helpful to students, staff, and faculty if the Library (or someplace on campus) were able to provide this type of multimedia support.
ReplyDeleteIn the past we could refer students to AV in Cordell for video and audio recorders, but now it is getting harder for students to obtain. Some colleges provide equipment, but that leaves out many. As we start lending laptops, MacBooks, and now iPads, we might consider offering other digital recording equipment to our holdings. It will help us be a central place to which students can turn for multimedia production.
ReplyDeleteColor printers are nice but the cost of ink/toner gets very expensive... fortunately there is a full service copy shop on the strip (Cowboy Copy) that we can refer patrons to. It is less than two blocks away.
ReplyDeleteI can say that room 102K is easily our most requested/sought after room because of the computer & monitor in the room. Expanding that setup to other rooms will only increase the desirability of the study rooms. I would also include speakers with the computer. When playing a DVD or watching a presentation from the computer the sound source is the computer not the monitor, so users cannot hear anything without external speakers. This has been an issue in the past and probably will be in the future unless it is addressed.
Also... projectors are often being requested at the circulation desk... as are graphing calculators... of which we have neither.
ReplyDelete