DMLs in Mississippi: Part 2

Mississippi's Millsaps College has not been left out of the digital media lab advancements that have come to be important in academic libraries.  Inside the Millsaps-Wilson Library, there are several rooms by which students can make use of media to enhance their studying and group/individual projects.  Televisions with built-in DVDs/VCRs are available in some rooms as well as music listening stations.  Their digital media lab, supported by the Parents' Council, is available for use by all faculty, students, and staff which is reserved purposefully for multimedia work in video, photo, and audio.  For video, the lab offers equipment for checkout such as digital video camcorders.  For their photo section, the lab offers digital cameras along with tripods and lighting equipment.  Lastly, their audio section comes complete with high-tech microphones, audio adapters with comparable accessories, and audio recorders.  One of the more interesting accessories that this DML offers is the accessories for the iPhone in which one is called the mCam Lite for iPhone 5 and iPhone 4/4S. According to their site, this equipment allows for both photo and video capture with interchangeable lenses to create more stunning effects.  As a final note, the computer hardware available at this small college contains such items as iMacs workstations, MacPros, a VHS-to-DVD conversion terminal, and an HR Epson scanner.  With this digital media lab being in the state's capitol of Jackson, this college has provided its most promising students with a wide array of media and hardware to produce amazingly creative art in any format.

DMLs in Mississppi: Part 1

What would a blog about digital media labs be if I didn't at least try to find some in my home state?

I'm a former Mississippi State University student and frequent library user so it was not a question of when I would mention their multimedia center (same as a digital media lab so don't judge), but if I would gush over it like the true "anything bulldog" fan that I am.   It is cool to have their lab close to home and neighboring cities as well as being usable by the community who are loyal to MSU without apologies.  I promise not to gush too much, but I have to brag a little, right?  Here goes...

Mississippi State University's Instructional Multimedia Center (IMC) is a state-of-the-art room within the Mitchell Memorial Library.  Their mission "...supports teaching, learning, and research at Mississippi State University [...and] can lend you equipment or media, help you design and create projects and presentations, teach you software skills, and more" (Libraries and Centers).  I think this part alone is worth sharing simply because they are willing to help you with so many parts of the creative process.  In another section of the library, they even allow you to rent equipment such as camcorders, digital cameras, and tablets.  Some of the hardware available for immediate use in the lab space are: 28 PCs, (2) 21.5' iMacs and (2) Mac Minis, (4) Music Composition Stations, and (3) Digital Video PC Capture Stations.  The software they have available for these different pieces of hardware are way too many to list here, but you can browse through them here.  

So as you can see, Mississippi State's Instructional Media Center is really top-notch when it comes to preparing students, faculty, or even the community to meet the demands of this digital world with up-to-date hardware and so many different software types that will make even the novice creator/designer feel comfortable to let their creative wings soar.  Those bulldogs aren't just excelling on the football field, in basketball, or even from the baseball dugout...they are showing Mississippi how a media lab/center should be done and done well! 

All of the bragging in this blog post was strictly stated from the author's own personal feelings and not those of Mississippi State University who most certainly did not pay the author to boast of how amazingly awesome their media lab is.  But, I'm sure they wouldn't disagree! ^-*

Picture taken from within the Mississippi State University Mitchell Memorial Library (photo courtesy: Nicole Minor)

References

Libraries and Centers: Instructional Media Center.  (2015).  Retrieved from http://lib.msstate.edu/imc.

 

 

Scholarly Research on Digital Media Labs: Part II

A Screenshot from Erin Collins’ Digital Story, Girl Scouts of the Sierra
Nevada. (Reproduced with Erin’s permission.)

For this post, I'd like to focus on the usage of digital media in academic libraries.  Coincidentally, there was an article that I came across which was a direct connection to one of the classes I am taking this semester about multicultural societies.  The focus of the assignment was to participate in service-learning.  It required me to volunteer at a service provider to learn up-close about a particular society and their needs.  After completing twenty hours, I was required to write a reflective essay about what I learned.  This is where the article I came across comes in.  A similar class conducted the same service-learning assignment, but instead of a completed essay as the end result, they created digital stories with the help of the University of Nevada, Reno Libraries' Dynamic Media Lab.  The course instructor worked closely with the media specialist and the librarian to teach students how to create their digital stories with images and video editing.  Five class periods within the library were devoted to helping over 50 students conceptualize and create their digital story based on their experience at their community service provider.  In essence, the students took images, created narratives, connected appropriate videos, and used music to produce their own digital stories.  These projects were so incredibly put together that some of the students were asked to join their respective community service provider's media and marketing team.  I have included a picture from the research article where a student was the winning presenter for this assignment.  Additionally, I have included below one of the digital stories that a student created.  This just shows that digital media labs are really the wave of the future and libraries would do great to incorporate them and connect them to classroom assignments. 

References

Blithe, S. J., Carrera, W., & Medaille, A. (2015). Stories of service-learning: Guidelines for increasing student engagement with digital storytelling. Journal of Library Innovation, 6(1), 60-74.

Scholarly Research on Digital Media Labs: Part I

Scholarly research on the topic of digital media labs is slightly scarce as this new phenomenon has taken the library world by storm.  It's important to know that digital media labs have been more prevalent in academic libraries due to the availability of funds as well as the needed security for the specialized equipment included in the lab that academic libraries are more able to provide.  On that note, it was surprising one of the first research articles I found documenting about digital media labs came from Jamie Mayo, the manager of the Central Youth Services Department for the Kansas City Missouri Public Library.  (In her brief biography, it notes how she co-wrote the proposal for one of the learning lab grants that I mentioned in a previous post that comes from the MacArthur Foundation).  The fact that a public library entered the realm of digital media labs is astounding and shows the dedication they have to provide their community with up-to-date technology that inspires creativity, collective innovations, and life-long learning opportunities.  Mayo speaks of how teens have become more intrigued with technology and its creative usages by mentioning a study conducted by Mizuko Ito where it was found that teens have three levels of engagement which included a basic interest in technology creation to a totally "geeked" level where they are technological masterminds (but in a good way).  No matter the level, Ito found that the learning labs are "expected to offer opportunities for fostering all three types of engagement..."(p.32) which would appeal to different teens in different stages of creativity levels.  The solidity of digital media labs being a force of greatness in the teen world is what makes this article so fascinating that it is appealing to the needs of our future inventors, singer/songwriters, etc. in the most creatively and freest way possible.  Kudos to this library for recognizing a need and encouraging other libraries, both public and school, to follow suit.

                   The Kansas City Public Library’s mobile digital media lab has been in the making since 2012.  (Images courtesy of Andrea Ellis)

References

Mayo, J. (2013). Learning labs learning curve. Young Adult Library Services, 11(2), 32-34.

Literature on Labs

With so many libraries stepping up to the call to include digital media labs within its four walls, librarians have found it difficult to understand the new technologies, softwares, etc. that would be worthy to call a DML.  Additionally, with budget cuts, its almost impossible to pay someone who has working knowledge of those intricate 'ologies and 'wares, so librarians have to buckle down into their own sort of work-study to be the face of their new lab.  How do they combat this, you ask?  How else but to read up on it!  There is a slew of literature on the subject of digital media labs and the best books on the subject have recently been compiled by Goodreads.  This list contains 63 books consisting of both digital media lab subject material and makerspace subject matter (makerspaces are a space dedicated to the creation of materials with the use of technology).   The number one book on the list has quite an interesting title and received a four star rating.  How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro by Steve Stockman explains that most American households have some type of video equipment and knowing how to use it in ways that make it great instead of just good is now a priority.  Libraries would most certainly benefit from having a book like this on hand for not only themselves, but also for their patrons who would use their digital media lab for video purposes.  Along the same lines of this book, the number thirty-six spot focuses on teens and the video craze of YouTube. Filmaking for Teens: Pulling Off Your Shorts by Troy Lanier gets teens to make their videos stand out more from the others by applying his tools.  One example topic includes how to shoot using HD or high definition.  This is an important format for teens to learn how to use since this type of format would be more crisp and clear-cut.  With such great books detailing some of today's new technology, it won't be hard for librarians to learn a few things quickly so they'll be able to share it with their patrons in a flash.  




Reference

Middleton, A.  (2015, February 26).  Books for digital media labs & makerspaces.  Message posted to https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/85377.Books_for_Digital_Media_Labs_Makerspaces

Grants for DMLs

When most people hear any title with the word "digital" in it, the first thing they think of is money.  That's understandable as most libraries are constantly having to juggle budgets that are truly scarce in their available funds.  Not to worry, though.  No need to fret, my fellow librarians.  The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has made it their business to support these organizations with digital tools to reach the masses.  One such grant they are connected to, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, has garnered a large amount of prominence as it has helped several museums and libraries across the nation help feed the digital needs of their respective communities.  This foundation's main focus "supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world" ("About Us," 2015).  The entire pledge really sums up what digital media labs seek to accomplish and how libraries that choose to incorporate them are knowledgeable of just what an inclusion of such a lab would bring to their patrons.  As of 2014, this foundation has authorized $203.5 million grants.  That's impressive and it shows their commitment to helping institutions like libraries fund digital media labs that will greatly benefit all who use them.  Just ask the Kansas City (MO) Public Library who received $100,000 to develop their DML specifically for their teen population in 2012!

References

About us.  (2015).  In The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved October 26, 2015, from https://www.macfound.org/about/. 

creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world - See more at: https://www.macfound.org/about/#sthash.yMWoVvMo.dpuf

creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world - See more at: https://www.macfound.org/about/#sthash.yMWoVvMo.dpuf

Skokie Public Library: A DML for Every Age Group

The Skokie Public Library seems to really be catering to the needs of their users as their About Us page on their website states "we help you discover and learn new things, enrich your life, and exchange ideas with our materials, technologies, and experiences" ("About Us," n.d.).  I like that their message is personal and grabs at you with key terminology that makes you want to purposefully step into their library to see what they have awaiting for you inside.  Their Digital Media Lab is just as impressive. It boasts three different age levels to which users can identify with as they let their imaginations run wild with creativity.  The first age level is for adults with a second level for high school users; the last age level is dedicated to their youth.  Equipped with four Apple computers with an array of different software to choose from, the Adult Digital Media Lab is really prepared for the user who has a keen sense of digital productivity.  It has the usual lab essentials such as microphones with stands, headsets, and multimedia speakers, but what I found to be really cool is their musical collection that would surely be inspiring to a budding artist.   They have for use a USB turntable, an electric drum set, and an electric guitar that can all be connected to the computer where further editing can take place.  Basically, anyone could drop in, write a song, perform the song, and mix it with other sound recordings and they’d have a full-fledged rock-star single on their hands!  To see how one of their patrons has made tremendous use out of their DML technologies, check out the video out below.   

 References

About Us.  (n.d.).  In Skokie Public Library.  Retrieved October 21, 2015, from https://skokielibrary.info/about/

 

"The Spaceship" at UC San Diego Is Getting a DML!

How would you like to travel into space while reading a book, browsing the computer, or studying for the next coming test?  Well, you can't actually do that at "The Spaceship" known as Geisel Library located at the University of California at San Diego, but by the way the picture looks on the left, it seems to feel like it's possible, right?  You may not go into space, but the new Digital Media Lab coming to this prestigious university definitely is ready to step up to the demand for services catering to the multimedia needs of its campus.  After an extensive student survey of the multimedia capabilities available to students, it was found that they felt the services in this particular area were "lack[ing] sufficient space, equipment, and/or software to complete the assignments" (McAvoy, 2015, para. 2) they were given.  The interesting and mind-blowing movies, audio clips, or websites dedicated to space travel that these students will be able to create might just emerge the next George Lucas!  It's hard to believe that a monstrous building such as "The Spaceship" would not already have such a prominent feature in their library, but that's the beauty of technology.  It's not going anywhere and its functionality can be incorporated whenever the need arises.  The problem is that many libraries just haven't recognized the need, yet.  With the Geisel Library, this need for a new digital media lab might not have been recognized if it hadn't been for the generous donation of its most philanthropic supporter, Audrey Geisel, who donated a whopping $3 million toward the library's interior renovation.  The library world needs more support such as this to help all information centers have the ability to move from infinity to beyond...


References

McAvoy, S. (Ed.). (2015, May 5). Coming soon to UC San Diego library. 

DMLs and Teens

YOUmedia has a studio recording space where teens can use instruments and learn to mix tracks.

Reaching the teens of this 21st century is one of the most paramount obstacles facing libraries today.  This is especially true since it seems that most teens do not like to read; thus, the alarming numbers of high school graduates unable to read reflects this sad outlook.  With technology being the bridge between these young minds and the actual use of libraries beyond the books (but just might influence their reading), it is amazing to see so many libraries incorporating digital media spaces specifically for today’s youth to take part in.  I, for one, am jealous at the special “place[s] where adult patrons are not welcome” (Grinberg, 2014, para. 1) like in the Nashville Public Library and where kids can hang out, create masterpieces without judgment, and generally just get to be rowdy, opinionated, and conscience kids with a plan to change the world.  They certainly did not have these types of concentrated areas when I was growing up reading V.C. Andrews or The Babysitters Club where kids like me could get together and hold lively discussions on air in a kids-only talk show.  Bitter?  No, not at all.  I am actually happy that the minds of teens are being cultured for something other than complaining about how much they hate school.  I feel we all have benefited from the joys of library spaces that encourage learning, period.  That’s exactly what the Nashville Public Library has done for their teens with their new digital spaces geared directly toward creative learning. 

References

Grinberg, E. (2014, June 2). Reinventing libraries for 'hanging out, messing around and geeking out'.  Retrieved September 1, 2015, from http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/02/living/library-learning-labs-connected-learning/.