Question #3 - What is the newest “techie” gadget that you have/would like to have, and how do/would you use it to improve the work relationship that you have with your primary clientele?
Marilyn Bromley – SLA Candidate for Director, 2011
In February, I wrote a post for SLA’s FutureReady blog on taking to heart Outsell’s imperative to “get on the device train.” The BNA Library has always tried to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new technologies, so a few years ago when social media first came to everyone’s attention, we put on a well-received workshop series with the “make it obvious” title of New Tools and Technology. Not only do we want to help employees work smarter and more efficiently, we want to help them use what they’ve learned for product development/enhancement purposes.
As I pondered Outsell’s advice, I decided that the Library needed to have its own iPad. Once we had it in-house, we began looking for apps to support the work of our legal editors - legal dictionaries, court directories, legal news and other resources. Equally important, we installed some competitors’ apps (it was fun picking those apart!), and finally, apps with cool features and functionality which could be used in BNA products.
When I thought we had enough to demo, our iPad became the star attraction at one of our monthly open houses. I’m still finding new apps to load and show to interested editors. In a few short minutes they learn some tablet basics and scope out the competition, while we continue to align Library services with company goals and try to stay ahead of that fast-moving curve!
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