[Publib] Library adds video cameras to keep in touch

[Andy Barnett]

Library adds video cameras to keep in touch

If you don't have a family member serving overseas, chances are you know 
someone who does.

Years ago, when loved ones were at war, options to communicate with them 
were limited to postal mail. Now, thanks to the technology of computers, it 
is easier -- and faster -- to get in touch with people thousands of miles away.

McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids just installed two webcams 
for public use, with a goal of connecting family and friends with loved 
ones in the military. Local library staff members got the idea from a 
library in Alabama.

"Since we have two staff members who have children deployed with the 32nd 
Brigade, we thought this was a great idea," said Andy Barnett, assistant 
director at McMillan Memorial Library. Andy's son, Jonathan, is one of them 
-- currently training in Texas for overseas missions.

Adults with library cards can talk using Skype and TokBox once they set up 
a free account, unless they already have one. Skype can be used for live 
video, as long as both users have accounts. The TokBox has the capability 
of sending video e-mail messages, which recipients can read at a later time 
and also lets people make video calls through instant message accounts such 
as MSN, AOL and Yahoo.

"This is useful for people who are deployed," Andy said. "They don't have 
to be free or awake."

The webcams are available for everyone. Andy gave me a demonstration, and 
it was quite fun. The TokBox has options to send messages with graphics, 
which were pretty hilarious.

"It's not just people in Iraq," Andy said. "It could be grandchildren, 
people you just don't see very often."

There was no grant available for this in Wisconsin, so the minimal cost of 
the webcams came out of the library budget, and there was no charge for the 
software.


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http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200903280357/WRT0101/903280538

Just an added note. We looked at the Alabama experience with webcams and 
thought it needed two extra pieces.

First, a good headset, so that people weren't using the webcam microphone / 
computer speakers in the library and could have some privacy. With a good 
headset, there is no reason to talk above a regular speaking voice.

Second was Tokbox in addition to Skype. Skype is synchronous (both sides of 
a conversation need to be live), whereas Tokbox makes video email very 
easy. When trying to contact someone who is nine time zones away, being 
able to leave a message that can be responded to at any time is helpful.

Tokbox also would like Meebo for video, that is, it lets you use video with 
all the major IM services without having to load (and keep up to date) all 
the software. That said, Skype is my personal software of choice, since it 
has provided me with a better connection with less delay.


Andy Barnett, Asst. Director            McMillan Memorial Library
490 East Grand Ave. Wisconsin Rapids, WI  54494
                 www.mcmillanlibrary.org
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that 
matter.  -  Martin Luther King, Jr.