Technology and User Experience Annual Report 2013 ! ! To: ! ! From: !!

Louise Berry John Blyberg

! This has been an exciting year for Darien Library and the User Experience department. Weve made a number of signicant changes and upgrades to our facilities and infrastructure, have initiated some interesting programs, and added some great new services. ! Last October, we were all affected by Superstorm Sandy. While we were unable to remain open during the storm, we were able to open shortly after it passed and after power was restored. Luckily, our network service came back online quickly and by the time we opened our doors to those seeking shelter, power, and internet access, we were fully operational. Thanks to the connection we have with the Connecticut Education Network, we were able to provide uninterrupted internet access during the recovery. ! We are well underway with our conversion This graph shows the spike in internet to virtual desktops. We have converted the trafc at the library in the days Technology Center and will complete conversion of following Sandy. the Power Library in October. The virtual PCs provide us the exibility to rapidly deploy and update applications on the desktop. Additionally, they are much greener than the old, large towers. They draw only a few watts and are much cooler, reducing both plug load and the need to cool the spaces they occupy. ! Throughout the year, we have been upgrading and replacing other equipment and software as well. We have upgraded our security system, several servers, and some critical back-end software that allows us to quickly back up and restore servers in the event of a data loss. Recently we replaced our large-format banner printer with a larger model that can print out 42 wide posters in superb photo quality. We also augmented our online presence this summer when we rolled out our mobile Darien Library app which is available on both iPhone and Android devices. ! Last summer, we opened the Digital Media Lab. Over the past year, it has grown in popularity and has become a true asset to the community. Residents and Friends have used the space to do everything from A Form1 3D Printer, one of the converting old camcorder tapes to DVD to designing jewelry new additions to the DML coming and printing out prototypes on the 3D printer. It is an exciting later this year. space and we are constantly looking for ways to add to it. Recently, we purchased a 3D scanner that allows users to place an object on a rotating plate and literally scan it in to the computer as a 3 dimensional digital le. Those les can then be printed out or modied. A major reason for creating the DML is so that we could provide users with the tools to convert their analog artifact (photos, videotapes, and now objects) to digital content. We plan to build on that concept and we are currently working on ways to catalog and post that content online. We will be starting with the librarys archives then looking ahead at ways to preserve the heritage of Darien by inviting the public to submit content that tells the story of their lives in the town.

! This spring, we were excited to offer the Attack of the Drones program where participants built and ew their own drones using an Arduino-based autopilot chip running open source software. It was an exciting program and participants learned about aviation, electronics, and a little programming. ! We have also initiated and launched a cooperative effort with eleven other libraries in Faireld County to create a multi-town Minecraft server. Minecraft is a very popular computer game among teens and children. The Faireld County Minecraft Server One of the Darien Library Drones in ight. provides a safe and friendly environment for those kids to play online with their friends while also instilling a broader sense of regional community. ! In the coming year, we will be continuing with our rolling upgrades of equipment and software. We will be expanding our virtual desktop roll-out to include the rest of our patron PCs and a good number of staff PCs as well. We see many exciting opportunities with digital content and improving access to electronic books and movies. We are planning for a web site redesign using the new Drupal 8 platform, due to be released next year. In the meantime, we will be upgrading the back end software that powers our online catalog. We would like to integrate more digital content and blend in many of the suggestions weve received about the current system. ! As always, technology undergoes a continuous, iterative evolution. We are always scanning the horizon for emerging trends and we feel strongly that Darien Library is a place where we can make new technology available, early on. However, one thing never seems to change--if its not working right, try turning it off and on again.