Rogers Public Library Tries To Keep Pace With Technology

STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE 
Robert Finch, assistant director of the Rogers Public Library, said Friday the library is still buying hardback books, but also is investing in technology to help patrons connect to the library by any device they have.
STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Robert Finch, assistant director of the Rogers Public Library, said Friday the library is still buying hardback books, but also is investing in technology to help patrons connect to the library by any device they have.

— Technology doesn’t quite move at the speed of light, but it does move fast enough Rogers Library officials find it nearly impossible to keep up.

“We are still buying hardback books, but we are also investing in technology to help our patrons connect to the library by any device they may have — from a computer, tablet or smartphone,” said Robert Finch, assistant library director.

“It’s difficult for us to keep pace with the ever-changing technology. About the time we have learned how to use one technology a new one comes along,” he added.

The Rogers library has an abundance of technology available, from reference material to children’s e-books, but library officials discovered about three years ago the public was unaware what the library had to offer in the way of electronic media.

“We did a survey and we were shocked to discover 99 percent of our patrons had no idea we offered e-books or other electronic media,” Finch said.

Library officials began an aggressive campaign to inform patrons and to begin to close the knowledge gap between what the library offers and what the patrons know.

Bryan Hinds, a Rogers resident, and his family was in the library on Friday to check out books. Hinds said he was aware the library features books and other electronic media online, but hasn’t ever used the service.

“We’ve talked about learning more about the electronic side of the library, but we haven’t really done anything yet, but it’s something I think we are going to look into next year,” Hinds said.

Hinds is the type of patron Finch said library officials want to reach.

“We are here to help people,” Finch said. “If someone doesn’t know how to get the maximum use of a smartphone, computer, e-reader or tablet, they can bring the device to the library. We have people trained to help the patron to set up and use the device.”

Library officials have taken that help a step further with Geek Day at the library.

On Geek Day experts from phone and electronic merchandising companies help patrons and nonpatrons learn more about whatever phone, computer or tablet the person has, said Jeanne Besaw, technical service supervisor for the library.

“What we do is help people feel comfortable with various electronic devices. We help them connect the dots so they can get more use from those devices,” Besaw said.

Besaw teaches a free computer class every Saturday with the help of six Rogers High School honor student volunteers to anyone who wants to learn more about the computer.

A club of technology gurus from Walmart, known as 3 NWA, provide technical assistance for patrons and they teach children how to build robots and other items from material regarded as junk, Besaw said.

Club members used a 3D printer to make an Iron Man suit to the amazement of the children, she added.

“We plan to get our own 3D printer this year. It can be used to make useful items such as seals for engines and other household items. It can also be used as a learning tool,” Besaw said.

Besaw said libraries are doing the best they can to keep pace with the changing times.

“We aren’t a book warehouse anymore. We still have hardback books, but we also have an electronic library that can serve our patrons even when we are closed, and that’s progress,” Besaw said.

The library has a program that provides students with an e-card that can open learning portals at the library. Any student with an e-card has access to the books, magazines and research data at the library.

Rogers’ New Technology High School students use the library for the majority of their assignments, said Lance Arbuckle, school director.

“We don’t have a library in the school, but our students, or learners as we call them, have access to the public library through their e-cards,” Arbuckle said.

Technology High School students are issued Macintosh laptop computers instead of books, Arbuckle said.

“Our learners use the public library and their laptops as a learning tool to access everything from videos to music to the best resource books,” Arbuckle said.

Danny Burdess, who teaches freshman humanities at the Technology High School, said the library’s school connection helps students learn how to research and find solve problems.

“The library program is a huge advantage for us and the students,” Burdess said.

Technology High students learn on a project-based system. With each learning section a project is due on the subject, whether it be an iMovie, PowerPoint presentation or some other type of presentation, Burdess said.

“The library program is awesome. Our kids have access 24 hours a day, at home, at school, just about anywhere. They can move at their pace and learn by solving problems. It’s a great resource for us,” Burdess said.

Librarians are by nature conservative and not fond of change, Finch said.

“We don’t like change, we want things to stay as they are, but we can’t do that,” Finch said. “It’s important we embrace and learn to use new technology as it comes along, and it comes along at a faster pace every day. We have to spend our money wisely and balance what we do. We still need books, but we also need electronic media. Technology is a great thing, but I think you lose some control as well.”

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