Fusion!

Monday, February 3, 2014


So January was my first month as a member of the Board of Trustees for Douglas County Libraries. It's an exciting time to be involved with the Library, as there are three new libraries being built in the next several years, a new Library Director to hire, and many other exciting projects in both the near and the medium term. My head's still spinning a bit from all I need to learn and do, but I'm excited about all the DCL hope to achieve in the next several years.


On Saturday, the Smart Man and I attended the Grand Opening at the Parker Library of one of the technology projects that began before I joined the board - Fusion - A Media Lab. This a pilot project for us, and will act as a test bed for other facilities in the three new libraries. As the Chairperson of the Technology Committee, I'm really excited about this. From the website:

Fusion is a digital creativity space, located in our Parker Branch, where your ideas come alive. Use it to:
  • Convert your novel into a published ebook
  • Record a stand-up comedy routine and upload it to You-Tube
  • Produce a manga or anime video
  • Create and edit a musical composition
  • Make a short film or video
  • Create animated gifs for Tumblr
  • Digitize old home videos
  • Record a video resume for your professional website
  • Make a photo poster
  • Create your own brand
  • Convert VHS to DVD
  • More!
People of all ages and skill levels can use our state-of-the-art software and equipment to create top quality products. Fusion is available to any patron with an active library card. Reservations are available in three-hour blocks. 


The equipment is top-notch, and there are also opportunities to learn new software for those who may not be familiar with multi-media creation. There's a music station, a video station, a photography station, and more. And there's a Green Screen for those who REALLY want to get creative.



This is the type of project I'm excited to be a part of, and one of the reasons I wanted to serve on the Board - it's an opportunity to give people access to the technology that will drive our country into the 21st Century, and a chance to help close the digital divide for those patrons who may not have access to the complex technology that drives our world.

Well done, DCL staff. Well done, indeed.

6 comments:

vince said...

That is really awesome. I wonder what it would take to get something like this at our library.

Janiece said...

Vince I can try and find out how much it cost, if you wish. I suspect it was pricey, however, not only because of the hardware/software requirements, but also because of the training required to bring the Library staff up to speed.

Anonymous said...
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Janiece said...

*TONG*

Carol Elaine said...

Pretty freaking cool!

mom in northern said...

Coolness abounds for sure...