DIY gamebased multimedia in your library Is it for you

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DIY game-based multimedia in your libraryIs it
for you?
Andrew Lewis

• Library and Information Services
• The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• andrew.lewis_at_rbwm.gov.uk

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Example 1 Marketing computers to sceptical
library users (2002)
Andrew Lewis

• Library and Information Services
• The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• andrew.lewis_at_rbwm.gov.uk

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(No Transcript)
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How much use?

• 200,000 in 6 years
• 33,000 per year
• 1000 per month
• 33 per day

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Example 2 How you deliver multimedia affects
user uptake (2005-7)
Andrew Lewis

• Library and Information Services
• The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• andrew.lewis_at_rbwm.gov.uk

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User Comments

• i like the library severses ther fab and i like
  the library because i love the magic kitten books
• The libray is very fun.I like all the
  activities.I adore reading so I take fiction and
  non-fiction.As I cycle here the thing the
  library needs is a bike rack
• the section for teenagers could be made bigger at
  cookham but otherwise cookham is a very good
  quiet libary. The staff are always friendly!
• tha it is vey nice and quite here and the staff
  are really nive here and that lots people get to
  do there homework in peace

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Other comments!

• dis iz st you beed betta games and less boffins
  in d library thanx and go ! ! !
• im 12 and i think that u should get some games
  for people my age im discusted i mean dont get me
  wrong the bgames are ok but they get really
  boring so please just hurry up and get ur act
  together and think of every one else apart from
  little children

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Delivery channels

• Web
• 10-20 comments in 2 years

PCs 250 comments in a year

• Web

PCs
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Example 3 Using game incentives to gather user
feedback (2007)
Andrew Lewis

• Library and Information Services
• The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• andrew.lewis_at_rbwm.gov.uk

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Subjects users say they like

• sad stories like jaqueline wilson
• stuff
• dolfhins
• Horror
• scary stuff
• cars
• Sex
• fire engines
• Magic kittens

• advenchur
• monsters.pooo
• l
• romance adventure
• facts
• romance adventure
• dinosars books

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Example 4 Using game data to understand user
behaviour (2005-6)
Andrew Lewis

• Library and Information Services
• The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• andrew.lewis_at_rbwm.gov.uk

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Big Bad World game data

• username test5
• date added Wed May 31 202447 GMT0100 2006
• health 100
• completed? false
• time_total 156513
• time_found_library_sign 66589
• time_access_first_library 4312
• time_access_rungo_book_1 0
• time_access_rungo_book_2 0
• time_found_rungo_poster 66552
• time_rungo_found 0
• time_rungo_returned 0
• rungo_exploded_total 0
• info_found_rungo 7,2,14,2,6,2,6,2,7,3
• info_judged_rungo 7,reliable,2,14,reliable,2,6,u
  nreliable,2,7,reliable,3
• RUNGO GAME NUMBER 0LOADED

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Things that have worked

• Using domestic equipment
• Freeware and web user groups
• Controlled delivery channels
• Using novelty for impact
• Income generation
• Gathering qualitative customer data
• Re-use the curriculum model
• Suck it and see, but drop if not working
• Piggy backing institutional technology

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Things that have not worked

• Over-complex development of pilots
• Changes to piggy backed technology
• Reliance on one person
• Not understanding the competition
• Making assumptions about user behaviour or
  motivation

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Technology

• Flash
• Swift 3d
• Web freebies
• Audacity
• File convertors
• Pencils
• PERL
• PHP/MySQL
• Trial software

• Digital cameras
• Mini DISC
• Web cams
• Mobile phones
• Flatbed scanners

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Content creation models

• Create once, use repeatedly
• Create once, have a finite lifespan
• Multiple self-contained episodes
• Single resource developed over time

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Return on investment check list

• Project the resources you will commit
• Ask how long you intend to continue
• Have a content creation business model
• Decide what success will be
• Have an exit strategy

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Delivery Channels and available technology

• The web via your sites
• Web 2.0 destination sites
• Email
• Podcasting
• CCTV / monitors
• Kiosks
• In house computers

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Is DIY Multimedia for you?

• Yes, if
• you need to try out new ideas
• you want control over content
• you have in-house skills or kit
• you plan it well

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End of presentation
Andrew Lewis

• Library and Information Services
• The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• andrew.lewis_at_rbwm.gov.uk