Blog

4 Feb 2016 - 1:51pm | Ginny Mies
Have you ever written an annual report, PowerPoint slide, or article and thought, "This could really use some sort of visual." But then when you started plotting out what you wanted to show and how you were going to show it, you hit a roadblock and thought, "Oh my gosh, I am not a graphic designer." Well, think again, because even the most design-impaired people can make a pretty snazzy infographic or chart with the right tools and some basic design principles. As a not-so-design-savvy person myself, I recently attended WebJunction's excellent webinar, Data Visualization for the Rest of Us: A Beginner's Guide. The webinar was presented by Linda Hofschire, a research analyst at the Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library. Hofschire's sensible tips and tool recommendations left me raring to start infographic-ing (is that a word?) everything. I recommend watching the full webinar, but here are some of the highlights.
17 November 2014 - 2:53pm | by Ginny Mies

Public librarians, academic librarians, LIS students, library staff, and library supporters from all over California gathered in Oakland at the California State Library Association's (CLA) annual conference. TechSoup for Libraries was in full force at the conference. We've compiled our highlights, learnings, and favorite ideas. It was a great way to see what libraries are doing on a local scale, but it was also an indicator of some trends that might take off nationally.  

10 November 2014 - 3:22pm | by Ginny Mies

Financial literacy can be both an intimidating topic to learn and teach. In October, we explored it in our Making Cents of Financial Literacy: Tech Tools and Innovative Programs webinar.

Our presenters came from libraries of different sizes:

They shared the innovative ways they're making financial literacy fun — for both patrons and staff!

8 October 2014 - 3:08pm | by Ginny Mies

Did you attend our Teaching Internet Safety webinar a few months ago? Have you received donated security software from us? Or perhaps you've used some of our helpful online security resources at your library? Tell us how your library is taking practical steps to keep your staff and patrons safe online for a chance to win a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet! 

3 October 2014 - 9:38am | by Ginny Mies

If you're a small or rural library, you probably have had to find some creative ways to advocate for your library. Storytelling is a powerful way to share the impact you have on your community. Best of all, it can be done digitally through video, social media, images, audio, and more.

TechSoup's own Jim Lynch was featured in The Daily Yonder sharing his expertise on digital storytelling for rural nonprofits, charities, and public libraries. While Jim shares examples from a number of inspiring rural organizations, the one nearest and dearest to our hearts is the Pottsboro Library.

2 October 2014 - 1:15pm | by Ginny Mies

Your library is making an impact every day. Whether you're helping an adult apply for a job, teaching a teen how to code, or helping a sixth grader complete a research report, you're doing amazing work for your community. But does your community know it?    

23 September 2014 - 3:25pm | by Ginny Mies

TechSoup's Storymakers campaign empowers libraries to tell stories, increase visibility, and make an impact on their communities through digital storytelling.

Before you start your video, check out these basic tips about composing a great shot.

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