The Connection
Community Outreach Newsletter
In This Issue
EAGLE-Net Alliance Highlights
CO State Library's BTOP Program
Technology and Libraries
Transliteracy and Libraries
WebEx Technology
Meet Our Staff
NEW!!
  
Articles of Interest

Read articles that have caught our attention:
 
 


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To learn more about EAGLE-Net Alliance, contact us at... 

 
Phone: 720-210-9500
Q1 2012
Greetings! 

In this issue, we are featuring articles about libraries and how they are using technology to further the experience for their patrons. As featured below, a Colorado BTOP sister grant, the Colorado State Library's BTOP Project, is helping to make technology in libraries a reality.
 
To learn more about EAGLE-Net's progress, see the "Highlights" section below.  Please follow us at www.co-eaglenet.net for the latest news and postings. 

 

EAGLE-Net Alliance Highlights
What's coming in 2012
EAGLE-Net Alliance is busy planning its next steps to completing the BTOP grant by August 2013. Here's a quick look at what's coming this quarter:
  • G4S Technology, EAGLE-Net's design and build contractor, is currently performing site surveys throughout the state.  This includes surveys of rights of way and paths for construction planning.
  • In February and March, EAGLE-Net will be launching a new communications program along with a statewide government roadshow.
  • A new Web site design is coming in February that will be easier to navigate and provide more information.
  • New! Community outreach materials coming soon:
    • EAGLE-Net 101 booklet
    • Industry segment brochures for education, government, libraries and healthcare 
Colorado State Library's BTOP Project 
CO State Library
Bridging Colorado's Great Digital Divide 
 
"This is a life saver"

"informative and empowering"

"I learned so much"

 

These are just some of the comments people are making about the new and enhanced public computer centers opening across the state as the Colorado State Library's BTOP project continues to roll out.

 

You may have read about this project, Bridging Colorado's Great Digital Divide, in our Q2/Q3 2011 newsletter. When we first wrote about this project, we mostly discussed how the public computer centers planned to improve Internet and computer access and foster digital literacy across Colorado.

 

The project, now one year in, has been focused on equipment purchases and staff training. Over 50 of the locations around the state have officially launched their computer centers and over one hundred and fifty hours of staff training on topics such as how to teach computer skills and technology troubleshooting have been delivered. 

 

Now that many of the locations are up and running, the project focus is shifting from technology acquisition to delivery of training and computer services to the public. The State Library is gathering many stories about how these computers are having a positive impact on Colorado communities: business owners gain new skills, grandparents connect with their grandkids online, and jobseekers learn how to create resumes and cover letters that win them jobs.

 

We look forward to even more opportunities to serve Colorado citizens through the public computer centers in 2012.

 

For more information on this project, please visit: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/BTOP/  

or contact Jamie Hollier, Project Coordinator, at [email protected] or 303-866-6123

Technology and Libraries
 
These days, if you want to read a book, send a note, or apply for a job, most likely, you will reach for some technology to do it. In fact, our society has become so technology oriented that new gadgets come out quicker than many people can learn how to use them.  Some people are falling behind in the tech craze and many are turning to a seemingly unlikely resource: their public library. 
 

Libraries are often the only option for free access to computers and the Internet, and the role of tech in libraries is growing beyond just computer access. If you need to learn to use the computer, download an e-book, load an app on your mobile device, or get assistance with your new tech gadget, your community library is the place to be. In Colorado in the past month alone 4,244 people received technology assistance in just 63 libraries. 

Transliteracy and Libraries
Article by Nancy Trimm

Transliteracy, as coined by Sue Thomas, Professor of New Media at De Montfort University and the Transliteracy Research Group, is described as "the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital social networks" (Thomas et al. 2007). Transliteracy definitions strive to set aside the typical "print versus digital" dichotomy in favor of a more holistic integration of the ways in which we utilize various mediums to access information and make meaning. From pen and paper to moveable type to social networking, technology has changed the way in which we interact with one another and with information. As The essence of transliteracy studies focuses on the "convergence of literacies" and the relationship between those various literacies such as computer literacy, media literacy and others. Transliteracy then encapsulates the plethora of literacies necessary for successful navigation in the 21st Century. 

 

Read the entire article...

 

Public Library Empowers Communities with Online Tools
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WebEx Technology

"WebEx technology is an integral part of our education and training programs," says Nicholas Kirlew. "It has helped bring technology skills to the indigenous communities and enabled libraries to promote literacy throughout Australia."

 

Find out how Webex technology assisted Libraries in Australia to facility on-line reading programs, engage remote learners and extend their Web 2.0 resources. 

 

Learn more...

Meet Our Staff
Doug Kissler
Doug Kissler

Director of Customer Relations

 

Doug Kissler joined the EAGLE-Net team in March of 2011.  His degrees include a Master of Arts in Teaching from Northwestern University, a Master of Science from the University of Denver, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  He has over 37 years of experience in the education industry, and the last 5 he worked as a Director of Technology Services for the Douglas County School district, a position where he directly helped over 50,000 students.  

 

At EAGLE-Net Doug focuses his efforts building relationships with school districts throughout the state by helping local technology planning teams discover the advantages of the EAGLE-Net broadband Internet network and how it can meet some of their education goals.  He enjoys these meetings and feels that as he continues to learn the education industry's current needs and challenges, he is improving education in Colorado.  He is a relentless problem solver able to see the 'big picture' who then uses his wide range of experience to help EAGLE-Net design solutions with the details to succeed.  

 

To contact Doug, please email [email protected] 
Thank you for a great 2011, and we look forward to much more in 2012.
 
Sincerely,
 


EAGLE-Net Alliance