About
We are the computer lab and emerging technology center for Charlotte and Meckenburg Public Library located in the lower level of Main Library. This blog was created to share information on the video content currently and previously playing on the two flatscreen TVs in the computer lab.
Most of staff here in PLCMC’s Virtual Village are self-proclaimed “tech geeks.” That’s why we love working with computers and teaching our patrons about all the great things they can do with computers on a daily basis. Imagine our delight when two flatscreen TVs, one 46″ and one 50″, were installed at our service desk in November, 2007 to provide active, up-to-date content and digital signage information for our patrons. The question then became: what do we display on these TVs?
Throughout the past seven months, we have developed an ever-changing content program that features a combination of information and entertainment, focusing on technology and computing. So far, the content on these TVs consists of information and schedules for the technology classes we teach in Virtual Village, information about system-wide events and exhibits, patron artwork created in our technology classes, “Patron Spotlights”, and videos featuring technology demos, computer animation, etc. One important thing for us to remember when choosing videos for the TVs is that, since we have music playing in the lab, all videos must make sense or tell a story without sound.
Our goal is to use these flat-screens as not only a “digital signage system” but also a tool that allows us to interact with our patrons and provide them with a place to showcase some of the work that they are creating in our library. The Patron Spotlight program was a simple way to begin this endeavor. Using a short questionnaire available at the service desk, a participating patron provides us with their picture, some information about themselves and some of the websites they enjoy. We then create a slide show of all of our “spotlighted” patrons to display on the TVs. This program was created to let the patron know that they are a valued part of our “community” here in Virtual and for them to share their interests with others. (Plus, it’s just really cool to see your picture on TV!) For privacy purposes, these slides will not be added to this blog, but come and visit us in the Virtual Village if you would like to to see them or create a Patron Spotlight of your own!
With this concept of sharing and community in mind, we created this blog to share with you all the cool new videos that we are presenting on our flatscreen TVs in Virtual Village. These videos are added to and removed from the flatscreens on a regular basis. This blog will serve to not only keep readers up to date on current videos, but archive all previous videos that are no longer displayed. Patrons can access this blog to find out more information about a video that they saw in Virtual Village.
W3V2 
Awesome blog Jennifer! I love your header image.
Great Job, Jennifer! This could be the start of something BIG!!