Joyce Claypool Kinnerly and Linda Lupro
“Be at the table, and be a player.” That advice from Roman S. Bohachevsky, Director of Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL), is offered to any librarian wanting to be in the forefront of telecommunications and distance learning. He speaks from experience, being a player at the table led to the development of the Distance Learning Center at Fort Bend County Libraries’ George Memorial Library in Richmond. As far as we know, this is the only distance-learning center in a public library in the United States.
In the early 1990s, while Bohachevsky served on a Community Advisory Committee for the University of Houston/Cinco Ranch, he became aware of the academic community’s keen interest in distance education. His awareness increased while serving on the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers of Fort Bend County with an official from Wharton County Junior College (WCJC). Soon, becoming an active player in distance-learning initiatives became a FBCL priority. The George Memorial Library in Richmond already had the capability to downlink satellite broadcasts, using a dish installed in 1987, and the time was right for developing into usable space the expansion area on George Memorial’s second floor--why not incorporate a distance-learning classroom?
It was no surprise, therefore, that Bohachevsky embraced a grant proposal for linking the University of Houston, WCJC and FBCL with microwave technology, which was presented to the George Foundation, based in Richmond. The foundation’s board chose not to fund the proposal, but indicated that it could support a project more centered on library innovation-- possibly a project linking local school districts to the library and providing links among branches. FBCL quickly presented such a proposal, and in November 1993, was awarded $72,665 to support creation of a distance-learning center.
While the latter project was being proposed, a staff team from George Memorial Library was preparing a building program for the unfinished portion of the library’s second floor. Funds for the development of this expansion came from part of a bond issue approved by Fort Bend County voters in 1989. The team recommended that the second-floor project include a new Audiovisual Services Department, two classrooms for 30 to 50 people and a conference room for ten (all three rooms could be developed into distance-learning facilities), and several small study rooms. Ray Bailey Architects, Inc. was engaged for the project, and the architects were kept apprised of technological needs as the library staff evaluated telecommunications and wiring options. Construction began in April 1994.
Into this process came the George Foundation’s suggestion as described above, leading the library administration and Danea Hall, manager of audiovisual services for FBCL, to continue to research various options. Questions arose about proceeding with microwave technology, which now seemed less and less the technology of choice. Then, in another of the “falling- into-place” occurrences that has marked the distance-learning project, Dee Koch, grants administrator for the George Foundation, brought two representatives from Texas A&M to meet with library staff. Texas A&M had approached the foundation with a proposal to set up a distance-learning link in far west Fort Bend County. Ms. Koch encouraged consideration of a site more centrally located in Fort Bend County, such as the George Memorial Library in Richmond. A courtship quickly ensued, with staff from FBCL visiting distance-learning facilities at Texas A&M to learn more about the type of digital, interactive videoconferencing via T1 links being proposed. Texas A&M is the hub of the Trans-Texas Videoconferencing Network (TTVN), which provides videoconferencing connections to more than 50 Texas locations. Thus, an affiliation with TTVN was presented as an opportunity for FBCL to be linked via T1, using part of the line for each classroom’s distance-learning activities and the remainder for an Internet connection.
The funds from the George Foundation grant were adequate for fully equipping one classroom with necessary pieces of equipment--Ascom Timeplex multiplexor, VTEL Medimax BK225, ceiling-mounted microphones, a fax machine, and a “Professor Stand,” a specially designed podium wired for videoconferencing that includes an Elmo camera and other equipment. Both classrooms and the nearby conference room were fully wired in preparation for the future. The long-range plan for distance learning at FBCL includes adding equipment for the second classroom and the conference room, as funds become available. Editing and other related equipment will be purchased in accordance with the plan for developing expanded capabilities. To adequately meet the furniture needs of a distance-learning classroom, the library turned to a long-time, generous supporter, Mrs. Mayde Wadell Butler, who provided funding for classroom tables and other fixtures in the room that now bears her name.
On January 20, 1995, the Distance Learning Center at George Memorial Library was formally dedicated and opened with a ceremony that included local and Texas A&M dignitaries as well as a host of potential users of the center. Prior to the grand opening, Hall gave preview demonstrations for the news media, other Fort Bend County agencies, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Brazoria County agencies, and the University of Houston/Victoria. Excitement was high in the business community, the educational community and other governmental agency departments. Demonstrations given on the day of the opening had everyone thinking of ways they could use the new technology.
Propitious circumstances continue to surround the Distance Learning Center. Because of FBCL’s affiliation with the TTVN, the library was approached by Texas A&M to participate in a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Commerce Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program. This grant was to fund a demonstration project bringing distance learning, the Internet, and electronic literacy and information services to unserved populations in five Texas communities. In addition to Texas A&M and GTE, the partners involved include South Dallas County Agricultural Extension, Spring View Housing Project in San Antonio, Somerville schools, Progresso Community Center, and Fort Bend County Libraries. Regular meetings of the participants are held via videoconferencing, and one of the outcomes of the project is regular interaction among the five communities.
The total amount of the grant is $2,791,557, of which $850,000 is federal funds; $1,941,557 is Texas A&M University, GTE, or local funds match. The grant period is October 1995 through April 1997, and an extension has been requested by Texas A&M. The library’s part of the project involves equipping the nearby Fort Bend Family Health Center with a distance- learning classroom; eight computers will be placed in the library, the Health Center, and the office of Literacy Volunteers of Fort Bend County.
Since its opening, the Distance Learning Center has been used in all the variety of ways that had been envisioned. First, there are the obvious links to the academic world. With more than 50 members and connections to the University of Texas System, Texas Woman’s University System, Sprint Meeting Channel, and the Texas Education Collaborative Network, among others, the TTVN provides a variety of opportunities for staff development and public education. Adult education and literacy providers have taken classes through TTVN. Hall has begun a program that will lead to an advanced degree in Distance Education; she merely crosses the hall from her office to take courses such as Introduction to Distance Learning, Communication Networks, and Distance Learning Center Management.
Continuing education short courses have included study skills and TASP remediation classes presented by St. Phillips College in San Antonio. In the summer of 1996, St. Phillips launched a particularly exciting program--a “summer camp” class in sign language for children in grades two through six. The class originated in San Antonio and was broadcast to George Memorial Library from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, July 22-26. It was deemed a great success by the 20 children and two FBCL youth services librarians who participated.
FBCL assisted in a distance-learning demonstration for Texas legislators, serving as the classroom site for several nursing students from the University of Houston-Victoria College. Other students were in Austin and College Station, as the instructor taught correct methods of measuring medications. The Texas Agricultural Extension Service has used the room for training of 4-H leaders, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has used it for training of both adult and juvenile probation staff. The Houston Museum of Natural Science provided a teacher inservice training program--originated from George Memorial Library--to 12 sites across the state.
An example of a staff development activity directly involving the Distance Learning Center is the 1996 TLA pre-conference sponsored by the Media and Related Technologies Round Table (MRT2), Support Services Interest Group and Library Support Staff Interest Group. Staff from St. Phillips College and Texas A&M participated in the pre-conference, providing demonstrations of both the techniques and the technology. The staff of Audiovisual Services has arranged demonstrations for other groups of librarians, county departments, civic organizations, and for the Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce as well as the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. (The Leadership classes of both chambers include an orientation to the Distance Learning Center as a regular part of their Education component.)
Early next year, Fort Bend County Libraries will participate in the Smithsonian “Voices of Discovery” program planned in conjunction with the massive traveling exhibition (which will be on display in Houston) commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution. On Thursday, January 9, 1997, David Pawson, a curator from the National Museum of Natural History, will speak on “The Most Prickly Animals in the Sea.” This program will originate at George Memorial Library and be presented as a distance-learning program at five sites around the state, for at-risk and underprivileged children. On Wednesday, January 15, 1997, “Borders and Identity,” focusing on United States-Mexico borderlands culture, will be presented by Olivia Cadaval, a folklore specialist in the Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies, Smithsonian Institution. This program, too, will originate at George Memorial Library and will be available to five sites around Texas, in areas of low socio-economic levels. Presentation of the Smithsonian talks as distance-learning programs is being supported by the Smithsonian and by the TIIAP grant in which Fort Bend County Libraries is a partner.
According to both Roman Bohachevsky and Danea Hall, the highlight of their experience with distance-learning thus far has been knowing that they are at the forefront of a development in public libraries and that, by being players, they are helping to provide opportunities for others. Hall notes that the challenge of distance-learning is to get the program to come together. Building and furnishing a facility with distance-learning technology can be a simply matter of funding, but using the technology most effectively, which is what she defines as the “program,” is the more difficult task. She urges prospective managers of a distance-learning project to be “at the table,” i.e., join the United States Distance Learning Association and Texas Distance Learning Association, as well as applicable listservs and users groups. It is no secret that technology in all arenas is changing rapidly; the distance-learning arena is certainly no exception, so it is crucial to make special efforts to keep up to date.
Finding what is available for the library user via distance learning can be a challenge as well. As librarians, we want a reference guide for all classes, all short courses or seminars, all training opportunities, etc., but such a comprehensive guide apparently does not exist for distance education. Librarians with a distance-learning facility on-site will need to build such a guide for their users, matching user needs to the opportunities found available through printed directories and electronic sources, a task already familiar to most reference and public services librarians because of its similarity to a collection-development exercise.
Bohachevsky believes that if public libraries want to play a significant role in their communities in the next century, they must recognize that the local library will be a much different place than it is now. “But learning, educating and communicating is going to be part of its role, and distance-learning technologies will be the tools of choice in the new millenium.” And then he repeats his strongest advice: “Be at the table and be a player.”
Linda Lupro is coordinator of adult and branch services, and Joyce Claypool Kennerly is the public information officer for Fort Bend County Library.
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Last Modified: 3/25/1997