The Idea Studio has been open just over a year. Part of my tasks as an intern were to aid in the the expansion and promotion of the Studio’s offerings, as well as providing technical reference to the patrons who visit.
Reference during Open Studio required me to work one on one with patrons to assist with any problems they had with their phones, laptops, computers and tablets and help them navigate through their software and hardware issues. I also became proficient in learning how to use Idea Studio equipment and software in order to teach them to patrons and help them with their various projects.
To promote Lifelong Learning in the community, the Studio is expanding its offerings into independent learning areas. I designed a Soldering Station and wrote an Equipment Guide and Project Tutorial with directions written so that anyone from the ages of 8 to 80 could sit down and teach themselves how to use a soldering iron. I created projects that allowed patrons to learn at their own pace, either in one sitting or on different visits, without having to wait for a librarian.
I was also responsible for updating and maintaining many features of the Idea Studio website. I kept our calendar updated with the latest classes, programs, and Open Studio schedule, wrote news stories advertising new equipment and major schedule changes, and designed slider images to advertise our major upcoming programs and events. These duties are part of unglamorous but necessary promotional machine. No matter how interesting or requested our offerings are, if we can’t get that information out to the public we’re utterly useless.
Working in the Idea Studio required me to be constantly learning new skills and techniques. In keeping with the GSLIS Foundations and Digital Media outcomes, I utilized multiple disciplines and critical thinking skills in order to best meet the needs of users looking for information for themselves or about our equipment.
