From:
Rosa Maria de la Cueva Peterson
Date:
2006 Sep 12 13:29 UTC
Short link
St. Paul E-Democracy Outreach Project (Classes are held at Rondo
Community Outreach Library at 461 North Dale Street, Saint Paul, MN
55103. Phone: 651-266-7400).
First of all TABLING IS FUN! Sitting by a table for a couple of hours
at the library is a great opportunity to talk to library patrons and to
find out more about their needs. All it takes is a bit of listening and
assisting them with online-related requests, e.g. how to set an email
account, how to find information about a job, how to send an electronic
signature, how to find out about local government, how to navigate the
web, how to learn more about a discussion forum, how find out more
about a specific interest.
Do you have any questions about TABLING? Contact Tim Erickson, Mike
Fratto, and Gary Thompson. See them in action
http://wigleyandassociates.com/post/600, at Lexington Library during
spring 2006.
IT IS SIMPLE! A GREAT CHANCE TO TALK WITH OTHERS!
The following is sort of what happens:
1. When you arrive at the Library pick up St. Paul E-Democracy banner
and box with materials needed. Place St. Paul E-Democracy banner in
front of a table designated for St. Paul E-Democracy. Place a
handwritten poster saying “ask us to help you set up an e-mail
account/asks us about blog, podasting, etc.). Place on table flyer
about St. Paul E-Democracy; flyer on structure of government and links
to their sites; voter registration cards (patrons will mail cards
themselves); if you have a laptop set it up on the table (to attract
people). Many people are just waiting to use the computers at the
library and are killing time until their turn comes up. The library
sets aside one computer with Internet connection for our use during
those hours.
2. If anyone approaches the table, or slows down, ask “Do you have a
minute?” The response was, “what is this about?” Invited patron to sit
down. Introduce yourself as a volunteer for St. Paul E-Democracy, and
have informal conversation, asking whether they have computers at home,
if they use computers, where, and if so what do they use them for. Talk
a bit about the forum, and other digital tools, but be ready to ask
about their interests and listen carefully to their responses. When you
found out what interested them, and what they needed, we did next to
suit their needs and interest. When we go to the computer set aside
for us, we introduce the patron to SPIF. If he or she show some
interest follow up, otherwise follow whatever seems to excite the user..