Digital Signage
ROCHELLE MAZAR, Emerging Technologies Librarian

Signage in the HMALC has gone digital with 11 new, high definition display monitors placed strategically throughout the building. This combination of flat–screen monitors with a dedicated computer delivering content — text, images and digital video — to one or multiple locations provides Library patrons with fresh news feeds, local weather updates and most importantly, news and information related to Library programs, services and resources, as well as campus events of an academic nature. The digital signage is also electronically linked to the new Library website so that breaking news and information posted on the website using our blogs and Twitter is automatically sent to the digital signage. Through RSS feeds we can deliver breaking news from U of T Mississauga and U of T news sources as well. The Library’s digital signage is a strategic part of our multi–channel approach to communicating with our patrons.

The Ubiquitous Web: Digital Signage

There’s so much great information on the web — a lot of it critical and time sensitive. Watching and waiting for information on the Iinternet and constantly checking email and refreshing websites contributes to what is known as "Information Overload". The pressure to stay updated and informed can get in the way of getting things done. As we grow more sophisticated with our use of information on the web, we are learning to distinguish between information that we need to seek and information that should seek us out. The Library’s first step toward the ubiquitous web is its new digital signage.

Using signs to deliver information is not new, but only now is it easy to create signs that shift and change at will. The Library’s digital signage, set up at each elevator door and throughout the RBC Learning Commons, are designed to help library patrons get the information they need without having to search for it or approach a computer. We show current Library lab usage maps so students can find a place to sit and work. We display the number of laptops currently available for loan. We draw breaking news headlines from respected new sources and we post critical local news and announcements to our digital signage via Twitter. Walking into the Library is now an act of gleaning web information without touching a keyboard.

The Library continues to refine the information available on the digital signage as more and more local, relevant, useful information sources become available.

U of T Mississauga Media Survey Results In
SIMONE LAUGHTON, Instructional Technology Liaison Librarian

The U of T Mississauga Library recently asked instructors to provide the feedback and suggestions about their requirements for the use of digital media in academic courses. The survey sought to:

• gather information about U of T Mississauga instructors’ current practices related to creating, using, organizing and storing digital video, audio and images within academic courses;
• collect technical data related to current and planned file sizes (typical and largest), formats, frequency, etc., that can be used to inform underlying system requirements; and
• better understand storage and delivery requirements (e.g. class sizes, permissions, etc.)

Seventy–nine instructors responded. In reviewing this information, the Library’s Learning Technology Team gained a clearer understanding of current and planned digital media usage at U of T Mississauga, which assists with future planning. For instance, 80 per cent of respondents create or use digital video, audio and/or images in their academic courses. A third of the instructors indicated that they need help creating digital video and audio content and over one quarter of instructors noted that they need help organizing video and storing video, audio and images. This suggests that, to help, it may be most beneficial for the Library to provide instructional support and information on best practices.

Based on the survey results, the Learning Technology Team developed recommendations and is working together to advocate for these issues at various levels within the U of T Mississauga campus and the University of Toronto. A copy of the report is available online at: http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/~w3itl/dvai_final_report.pdf

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