Userful July 2009 Newsletter

In this issue...

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NEW BTOP GRANT APPLICATION GUIDE - GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE SOON
Meet & Greet: Reminder - Visit us at ALA July 9 - 15, 2009
Issues: How to Reduce Your IT Headaches
Expert Series: Marshall Breeding - Comprehensive Cost Planning Yields Successful Tech Projects
Support Tip of the Month: Changing Your Hours for the Summer, or for a Holiday?
Resources & Tools: Helpful FREE Tools for Libraries
Impact: How Important is Public Computing in Your Library? (share your story and be entered in a draw for a FREE IPOD)
Talk to Us: We're Here for You

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NEW BTOP GRANT APPLICATION GUIDE - GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE SOON

If you're seeking funding to expand your public computer program, here are some great resources for accessing money through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The time frame is tight which may mean this is the easiest round of funding to win. It also looks like funding may go to those who are ready as opposed to those who are most in need, so if we can be of help in your application process, do let us know.

If we can help in any way with your application, simply email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 800-301-9018.

Meet & Greet: Reminder - Visit us at ALA July 9 - 15, 2009

Just a reminder to come and visit us at our booth #1324 at the American Library Association Annual Conference this year. We'll be there from July 9-15th with our booth all decked out in Userful workstations. Yani, Daniel and Ken from our Userful team would love to meet you in person.

Issues: How to Reduce Your IT Headaches

What happens when your IT director leaves and you are left hanging? We've heard about IT folks leaving with vital passwords, with documentation nowhere but inside their heads, budgets that are too tight for replacements. Even best laid IT plans can be derailed costing you extra time, headaches and of course, money you can ill-afford to waste. Here are 3 ways in which you can win with your library IT needs:

1. Call us. That's right. Even if you are already a customer, if you need help - give us a call. If you're experiencing a headache related to your public computers, network or printing system, we've likely encountered it before. We want to give you some great advice. For free.

2. Use our resources. We've got free resources from IT Cost Calculators, TCO estimation tools, Green Computing Analysis and Public Computing Security Analysis tools. And of course, we've also got resources on accessing new public computer funding such as the BTOP grants. So yes, please use our resources.

3. Let us do the work. With Userful Desktop, the computer itself takes on management of your workstations. All the updates and patches are included. And of course, you can call our support any time -- we're basically your IT department for your public computers.

Expert Series: Marshall Breeding - Comprehensive Cost Planning Yields Successful Tech Projects

Welcome to our new 'expert series' feature. This month, our expert is Marshall Breeding, the Director for Innovative Technologies and Research for the Vanderbilt University Libraries in Nashville, Tennessee.

One thing that is important for any library embarking on a long-term IT project is to understand requirements and ongoing costs. This can prevent a lot of headaches in the long run. This month, Marshall talks about how to manage IT projects by taking the time to understand the costs involved. Click here to read more...

Support Tip of the Month: Changing your hours for the Summer, or for a Holiday?

It is easy to change your hours of operation using Userful Manager. Just log into Userful Manager and select Solutions Expert. Under "Locations" you'll see a list of your locations and Operating hours. Choose the "Operating Hours" and input your new hours. If you are closed one day, select the Closed option in the first column for that day.

Resources & Tools: Helpful FREE Tools for Libraries

Here are some helpful links and tools that we've found in our online explorations that we thought might be useful to you.

There is so much talk these days about budget cuts and their effect on libraries, yet just as much talk about the current popularity of libraries for job seekers and others who otherwise wouldn't have computer access - well, we thought this 'Library Use Value Calculator' was a timely tool. It can be embedded on your library site, so people can easily see what value their library use is to them.

Here's a great way to use social networks -- learn a foreign language with LiveMocha! This free tool allows members access to free tutorials and to build networks of friends to chat with in various languages.

Impact: How Important is Public Computing in Your Library? (share your story and be entered in a draw for a FREE IPOD)

This summer, we're looking for stories from Userful customers about the impact Public Computing has had in your library or community. If having Userful in your library has made a positive difference in your community, please tell us why or send a photo of people using your computers! We'll do a draw a winner for a free Ipod from all of the responses we receive and post the winner's name in an upcoming newsletter. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it right now!

Talk to Us: We're Here for You

We want to provide a great resource for you with our newsletters. They're an ideal way to share information and to remind you each month that we're here for you and we're only an email or phone call away. If you want to share a story or if you have a question or concern, our team is here to listen and are always happy to help you.