Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does this online learning program work?

This is a self-discovery program which encourages Tinley Park Public Library staff to take control of their own learning through exploration and play. Library staff are encouraged to work together and share with each other their discoveries, techniques and how-to’s both in person and through their blogs. We have tried to make things easy by giving you all of the information you might need upfront, so there are no time-consuming manuals to read.

2. Is this program open to all Library staff or just some?

This program is open to all full and part-time Tinley Park Public Library staff. All full-time employees will be required to participate. All other staff are encouraged to participate as a continuing education activity.

When performing any work for the Tinley Park Public Library non-exempt employees must do so in the library. Thus, those non-exempt employees participating in the Technology Tune-Up must work on the Tune-Up either during their regularly scheduled hours or make arrangements with their manager to add an additional hour a week to their work schedule. If the Computer Classroom is not in use employees may ask their manager to use the classroom or one of the library’s laptops.

3. How long do I have to complete the program?

The program starts Monday, February 1, 2010 and ends Friday April 16, 2010. You have eleven weeks to complete this program.

4. How long will each task take?

Everyone works at a different pace. We estimate one hour per week to complete the Technology Tune-Up. Some people may take just a few minutes to do a Tune-Up, while someone else may take a full hour. If you are getting close to your hour and are not done with your Tune-Up, check in with a Technology Tune-Up team member. We want to keep frustration levels low.

5. Will I get paid for doing the Techology Tune-Up?

Yes. If you are a full-time employee, you will have time during your regularly scheduled hours to complete the Technology Tune-Up. If you are part-time, you are eligible to receive one hour per week during the scheduled program (for a total of 11 hours) outside your regularly scheduled hours. You and your Department Manager are responsible for finding time to work on the Technology Tune-Up.

6. Will there be any training classes offered to show staff how to do this?

No, this is a self-directed learning program. If you have questions about the program, the Technology Tune-Up team will make themselves available in person, e-mail, and through comments on the Tune-Up blog. You are also encouraged to be resourceful and to find a colleague who can help. We will list the blogs of everyone who is participating so that we can all share and help each other. You can visit the blogs of your fellow staff members to see what they have done and leave a comment. Be sure to share your knowledge and expertise too! If you have a good tip to share, you can post it as a comment on any of the Tune-Ups. For more information, visit the help page.

7. How do I track my progress for each of the Tune-Ups?

Each participant in this program will be required to a blog to rack his or her progress. We will track your progress by visiting your blog.

8. I would like to participate but don’t feel comfortable with my co-workers reading my blog, can I participate anonymously?

Since you control all the information that you share on your blog, you can choose to use a screen name to identify yourself to keep yourself anonymous. However, in order to quality for any incentives you will need to identity yourself by informing one on the Technology Tune-Up team members. We will not share your identity with anyone on this blog site.

9. Are there prizes involved?

The first three people to finish by April 16, 2010 will receive a $10 gift card and be entered into the raffle drawing for fabulous prizes to be awarded on the April 22, 2010 Staff In-Service day. All finishers will be entered into the raffle drawing regardless when they finish. Staff who do not participate at any level will not receive any of the Technology Tune-Up prizes.

10. What if this program is too easy/too much of a challenge for me?

If you are already completely comfortable using this program’s Web 2.0 tools, you use them regularly and you do not wish to go through the Technology Tune-Up program you may offer your services as a Buddy. If you sign up to be a Buddy you will be paired up with another staff person who has requested ongoing assistance. This will count as your participation in the program.

If you aren’t yet ready to delve in the Technology Tune-Up program you have the option of arranging for One-on-One computer instruction classes or doing some other type of online learning that is better suited to your current skill level. Your Department Manager can help determine which classes you should take.

Whether you think you fit in either of those categories, you may want to start the Technology Tune-Up program regardless. You may learn something new or discover skills you never knew you had!

11. What if I don’t have easy access to a computer?

The computer classroom will reserved for various hours during the week. See the calendar for specific days and times. Since the computer classroom only has twelve computers you will have to register using the library’s program registration software. The password is available from your Department Manager. The library also three laptops available, see your manager to check on their availability.

We are recommending the use of the computer classroom for those whose computer access is through a thin client. Currently the thin clients are unable to accomodate the various videos recommended in the Tune-Ups. However, most of the videos are from a company called Common Craft and they have a written transcript of each video. If you don't feel it is necessary to watch the video and would prefer to read the transcript, then using a computer classroom computer for the Tune-Up activity is not necessary.

12. Where can I go for help?

If you have questions about the program the Technology Tune-Up team will make themselves available in person, email and through comments on the Technology Tune-Up blog. You are also encouraged to be resourceful and to find a colleague who can help. We will list the blogs of everyone who is participating so that we can all share and help each other. A Technology Tune-Up team member will also be in the computer classroom during the time that is listed on the calendar. For more information visit the help page.

The Technology Tune-Up team members are: Joy Anhalt, Glenn Kersten, Rakshanda Ahmad, Amy Lukich, Klaus Fiebig, Susan Dienes and Joy Wilder.