[Publib] Library adds video cameras to keep in touch

[Fred Beisser]

Kudos to all of you at McMillan Memorial Library!!!

Fred Beisser
Major USAF (Retired)
Trustee
www.elbertcountylibrary.org
(Colorado)
and former Wisconsin resident of Sheboygan Falls

Andy Barnett wrote:
> 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.
>
>
> To view the contents on www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com, go to:
> 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.
>
>
>
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