PLA 2012 Social Networking, Gaming, and Summerreading.org

Vikki Terrile, Queens NY

Andrea Vaughn, Brooklyn, NY

Andrew Wilson, NYPL

Andrew Wilson, NYPL

Will be available very soon as an open-source Drupal code, before 2012, Flightpath did many of the updates, and can develop it. 

 Started in 2005 w/grant from the Wallace Foundation, for kids, teens, and adults.  2010, revamped, put in Drupal platform in-house at NYPL.  Log items, write reviews to get badges.  Avatars, badges, Google map of branches.  Avatar was so real name never showed on screen, auto-generated a three word phrase: “fantastic blue fox,” ex. all to protect identity.   Avatar creator was very popular.

Front/User End

Automatic Book Logging – from collection to ILS.  So they didn’t have to type each item, could choose to display it in profile or not.   All from circ scanning a barcode into the website.  If something was misspelled or simply not held, it could still be entered into the website.

First question on log-in was how much was read since last log-in.  Second was finding what you’re looking for, linked to Worldcat, which would link it to branch of choice.  Third was entering badge code, “read25” was reading to others.  Administrators could give them out too.  “Trigger” badges automatically gave badges...first book, fifth book, review (if liked, bonus), if you liked a review, etc.  Librarians could create badges if they thought of something new.   Safety warning with each review box.  Filtered reviews for inappropriate material with keywords.  Also, patron could report something they didn’t like.  Every one had to be approved, though.

Read Down Your Fines – Reading goals/hours would lead to a badge and a clearance of fines.

Certificate Maker – It pulled up number of books, hours, badges, time reading, etc.  Great to show teacher at end of summer.

Large Avatar – Print and hang up on the wall.  Bookmarks had avatars.  Inspired curiosity and promotion.

Back End

Registrants, books logged, media logged, badges won, hours spent reading.  And could be configured to show just a branch or full system.

Drupal form for badge creation would make badge available for everyone.  A new one was a book log, picture books read at story time.  All 10 ISBN’s were attached to “Picturebook25” and every registered kid would get those books logged just for being at the storytime.  Around 100 badges.

Summary List – Birth-5, 6-12, 12-17, then adults were the age groups.   Shows ages, reviews, can link to them, like them if no one’s doing that.  Etc.  Can also see popular titles.  Also, statistical breakdowns – showed what kind of info was in there and what was being inputted, helped to show what may need a promotional push.

Messaging Feature – Branch could send messages to all users.  Great to publicize programs.  Only appropriate to branch, age range (?).  Also system messages.  Expired when no longer relevant.

Different permission levels – admins could do more than branch staff. 

At schools – passed out papers with pertinent information asked for.  Gave them log in based on part of last and first name.  They were signed up, would log in to create and change profile, etc.

Vikki Terrile, Queens NY

3 separate library systems, 1 giant school system.  They work related.  But not totally together.  Very confusing for patrons.  Collaborating on SRP helped to make appropriate for unique patrons (160 languages spoken here!)

Outreach: schools, preschools/daycare, street fiars, clinics/hospital waiting rooms, family shelters, the beach (gave away beach towels.  Table outside subway, sign them up on the street.

In-library: SRP registration = advocacy (coincides with time of year, when fighting budget cuts, tell users that the numbers show community support), piggyback programs on summer meals, grant funded MLS-level interns, traditional summer reading club meetings.

Andrea Vaughn, Brooklyn, NY

2.5 mil residents, 60 million residents.  Celebration of reading, prize drawings, not based on amount read.

Print board -- stickers put on gameboard.  Flat Panda  -- another badge for making this fun craft, and taking it on subway, to Maine, etc.

Sign-up form -- First Name, last name, birthday, age category.  Use name and birthday to create unique username.  Spanish on reverse.  Print on demand in 7 other languages.

Cooperations -- RIF, Yankees, Favorite Libraries. Badges and outreach in one.

Outreach -- Powerpoint created so community leaders could show it to their groups.  Demo'd to school librarians, sent info to schools to be included in digital info, email blasts to parents, etc.

Adds terrifically to what's already there, doesn't replace traditional SRP.