HPL Techstarz FAQ

Welcome to Hershey Public Library Techstarz!
This is a technology exploration program designed by the HPL IT Department to provide you with a range of opportunities to expand and strengthen your tech skills. HPL Techstarz is an online, interactive learning program: it's learning by creating! This program has a Focus on Fun -- a no-pressure program at your own pace, in your own space. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the purpose of HPL Techstarz?
HPL Techstarz has been created to make sure that everyone at HPL is comfortable working with emerging technologies that are reshaping our world, libraries and beyond. By engaging with these nineteen steps over seventeen weeks, you will be able to confidently field patrons' questions about the latest Internet-based tools and work with HPL to use these tools to expand and improve our services. We hope you find this program useful in improving your experiences at work, and even in opening up a few new outlets for creativity and communication to explore outside of work. The goal is not to make us all raving technogeeks, but rather to give everyone an opportunity to explore, develop skills, and share ideas (positive and critical) about this technology.

2) Who participates?
This program is open to all HPL staff (full- and part-time) You will receive one hour of paid time per week during your regularly scheduled hours to work on the program. Participants who complete the entire course will receive a certification of completion and flash drive and will be entered in a drawing for other prizes!

3) How does HPL Techstarz work?
This is a self-discovery program which encourages HPL employees to take control of their own learning and draw upon their lifelong learning skills through exploration and play. Employees are encouraged to work together and share their discoveries, techniques, and advice both in person and through their blogs. Each weekly unit focuses on a unique technology through one or two steps that will help you explore that particular skill. Click on the link to get details for each step. Complete the activity described and post briefly on your personal blog to log your progress. If you have a helpful hint or point of clarification from your experiences with the exercise that you think would help a fellow participant, please post it as a comment to that week's exercise.

4) What is the timeline?
The program begins on September 9th with the Kick-Off Meeting and ends on January 26th with the Wrap Meeting. You are expected to work on one unit a week. You may work ahead of course!

5) How do I schedule my HPL Techstarz?
One hour of cover per week will be provided for you by the IT Department. Please sign-up at least 24-hours in advance on the calendar to schedule your session. During your hour, you are welcome to use the laptop, IT staff computer, or another available computer to work on the program.

6) How do I record my progress?
Your progress will be recorded via blogging. In Step #2, you will set-up your own blog and register that blog with the IT Department. After each step, you will post briefly about your experience. This can include questions, thoughts, opinions, suggestions, descriptions, etc., of what you did or found. These posts will serve as record of your completion.

7) How do I get credit for completion?
In Step #19, you will post a final reflection on your blog; this will inform the IT Department of your completion and enable us to award your certification and prize!

8) I would like to earn my certification and prize, but I don't feel comfortable sharing my blog posts with co-workers. Can I participate anonymously?
Since you control all the information that you share on your blog, you can choose a screen name to identify yourself to keep yourself anonymous. However, in order to qualify for certification and other prizes, you will need to identify yourself by sending an email to the IT Department (kmahraj@derrytownship.org). We will not share your identity with anyone.

9) Will there be any staff trainings for HPL Techstarz?
No, this is a self-directed learning program. You are encouraged to be resourceful and to find a co-worker or other staff member who can help. And be sure to share your knowledge and expertise, too! Visit the HPL Techstarz Participants blog to see a list of participants.

10) How do I get more help?
Please use the HPL Techstarz blogs to post questions. If you have a general question, you can post it as a comment here. If you have a question about a particular step, please post your question as a comment directly on that step. Questions will be answered via the blog, so check back to the appropriate comments section for our response. By posting questions and answers online, other participants with similar questions can benefit! For everything else, email hpltechstarz@gmail.com.

11) How did we develop HPL Techstarz?
This program is inspired by and indebted to the San Jose Public Library and San Jose State University Learning 2.0 Project's "The 23 Things" and the many programs on which they drew to develop that project. The SJPL and SJSU Staff modified the Learning 2.0 Program designed by Helene Blowers at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and loosely on Stephen Abram's article, "43 things I (or you) might want to do this year" (Information Outlook, Feb. 2006) and the website, 43 Things.

12) What's with the color-coding in the Exercises?
To help you navigate (a.k.a. work your way through) this text-laden blog, there is a system of color-coding. Hope it helps!

• Words in this color appear at the start of each step to indicate the expected timeline.
• Words in this color appear immediately below to summarize the activity for that week.

• Words in this color appear throughout the description of the activity to break it down into smaller steps.

• Words in this color appear to highlight definitions and important take-away points.
  
• Words in this color indicate "Notes" such as crucial reminders and clarifications.