We have a great lineup of new games today, game testers. At 11 AM today, UPS delivered an advance copy of the next Harry Potter title, for testing. We’re running it right now in the office, and — so far, so great. We also have Tap It! and others. 3:30 PM, this afternoon.
Did you know that you can check out a video game as easily as you can check out a library book, at Mediatech? And our expanded summer hours make it easier to browse the collection of over 600 titles for Wii, DS, PS3 and more. Drop in & check it out!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
* June 15, Monday, 7 - 8:30 pm. Facebook for Grownups. Learn what Facebook is, how it works, and how to create your own page. No technology experience required. This jargon-free presentation will be by Michelle Ritger, Supervisor of Educational Technology, Flemington-Raritan Public School District. Bring a laptop (optional). $5 donation.
* July 1, Wednesday, 7 - 8:30 pm. Jersey Adobe Multimedia (JAM) Meeting. Show & tell your work and learn techniques in Flash, DreamWeaver, PhotoShop and others from local experts from around the county. Public welcome, no donation requested. Contact Andrew Kear (akear@comcast.net) for questions.
* July 6, Monday, 7 - 8:30 pm. Introduction to Computers for Absolute Beginners. How do you turn on your computer, get online, search and check email? Come find out with this hands-on session for “the rest of us” — people with little or no technology experience. By Michelle Ritger, Supervisor of Educational Technology, Flemington-Raritan Public School District. $5 donation requested.
* July 6-10. 9:30 AM to noon. Computer Programming Camp for Kids. This one-week, 1/2 day workshop will teach children how to program using MIT’s Scratch language. A flash drive is required to save work, or bring a laptop. Space is limited. To register, call 908-284-2006 between 3-5 pm. For ages 6-up, $5/day donation required.
* July 13-17. 9:30 AM to noon. Computer Programming Camp for Kids. A repeat of the first week. Call 284-2006 during open hours to register.
* July 27, Monday, 7 - 8:30 pm. Introduction to Blogging. Explore the latest tools, such as Blogger or WordPress to set up your own blog or ask questions about your existing blog to make it better. By Rob Mancabelli, Director of Technology, Hunterdon Central Regional High School. $5 donation.
* August 7. Friday, 7 - 9 pm, Five Year Anniversary Public Meeting. To mark our fifth year, the Mediatech Trustees will host a pubic meeting to show off our accomplishments and collect ideas for the next five years. We’ll also send off two student pilots on a second attempt to replicate Charles Lindbergh’s famous trans-atlantic crossing. They will fly in realtime weather using a flight simulator. Location: Historic Courthouse on Main Street (tentative location).
* August 10. Monday, 7 - 8:30 pm. Introduction to Twitter. Come learn how to “Tweet,” and harness the power of this free microblogging tool. By Rob Mancabelli, Director of Technology, Hunterdon Central Regional High School. A $5 donation is requested.
Start out at the driving school and work your way up to facing other MySims racers and difficult tracks. You can race against a variety of MySims opponents or compete against friends in one-on-one duels or 4 player races. The more races your win, the more you can customize your kart by swapping bodies, changing paint jobs and adding gadgets. You can also add power-ups including heat-seeking jack-o-lantern pumpkins or bubble droppers. In addition, you can personalize your MySim’s appearance with racing-themed clothes and accessories. The DS version of the game ($30) allows up to four players to race each other using local wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi. Come and give it a try, at 3:30 PM on Friday!
Circulation statistics for Mediatech for 2009:
January 216 patrons 95 checkouts
February 228 patrons 145 checkouts
March 279 patrons 234 checkouts
April 259 patrons 185 checkouts
SGTC
Don’t miss an exclusive viewing of raw video from E3 2009 at Mediatech, at 3:30 today.
This 30 minute presentation was given at the WEMTA conference in Madison Wisconsin on the Mediatech Foundation — a community technology initiative in a small New Jersey town. Dr. Jack Farr — a school Superintendent, is shown at the end othe video, talking about the concept.
Take donations of used games and acknowledge the donation with a sticker.
Build a multiplatform collection over time. Remember that there are over 20 platforms.
Carol has found that clear, plastic VHS video tape containers are useful for storing Nintendo Game Boy Advance cartridges and manuals.
Treat game disks like DVDs (and be ready to clean them)
Use multiple marking systems, labels and stickers
Not all games are circulation friendly (e.g., may require passwords, peripherals or special installs). If a child checks out Nintendogs, for example, he or she needs to understand that his or her dog might be erased when somebody else checks out the game. This can be a good thing — you learn about others in your community.
Remind patrons to erase confidential information from cartridges. (CTR tags this information).
Use the ESRB rating system and descriptors, and be prepared to explain what they mean to parents. “We don’t allow M rated games, and use discression regarding T rating games” for example. In addition, we don’t let children bring in M rated games, and continually monitor screens for inappropriate content.
Mediatech Minutes, February 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:12 PM by Warren Buckleitner. In attendance, Trustees (voting) Lou, Mike H., Chris and Warren; Guests (non voting) Carol, Bob, Dar and Alese.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Lou Hosta went over the results of last year’s audit and reported that it passed his inspection. However, although he would like further clarification about the accounting from Mike Holk for the 2009. year. Mike and Lou will meet at Mike’s office to review the 2009 audit.
Two donations were reported — $3500 from the Large Foundation, and $1000 from Anne Thomas, bringing our balance to $6,554.48. Mike estimates that we have 18 months at the current staffing level. The report was filed for audit.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
Supervisor’s Report: Carol Wachter, Supervisor reported that Mediatech is currently being used by two groups — VITA (tax help for Seniors during mornings) and the Hunterdon Hispanos (computer training on Wednesday nights).
* Circulation: 550 games are now cataloged and available for the interlibrary loan through Jersey Cat. She filed the following circulation and attendance numbers.
* Attendance: January 09: 216. . It appears that Wednesdays and Fridays are the busier days. 95 items were checked out during the month.
OLD BUSINESS
Summer Hours –Carol reported the need for additional staffing, to be paid for by Mediatech during the summer. She recommended the need for an additional 150 hours, at an approximate cost of $2000 Mediatech. The board approved this expenditure (Mike/Lou).
Briteside — Warren reported that he had received a thank you card from Briteside to Mediatech for the use of the projector and help with Wii software.
Town website maintenance — Bob Flisser reported on his progress in finding new, more secure routers for the Wi-Fi for public access in and around Mediatech. Warren gave Mike a check for $1000 from the Borough to cover equipment (routers and software). Bob reminded the board that this money was to be used for hardware and software only, and that he was volunteering his time. The board asked to be kept updated on this progress, and that receipts for any purchased items must be reported at each board meeting.
Summer Fundraiser Gala Plans– Warren passed around a document called “Mediatech Foundation Presents a Five Year Anniversary Gala” that included feedback from former board members and community members. The Good Old Days in the 21st Century” which can be download from the website, for those interested in the full report. The board concluded the meeting with some brainstorming, deciding to would try for the “low expectations” model — to try have a small gathering in the courthouse, sell some tickets and have food catered in conjunction with the Lindbergh flight recreation. If we get help, we can expand the effort.
Dismantling Shelves
Several board members got their hands dirty by moving software into the basement and taking down the old shelves. There is still more work to be done (and also some painting…) if anyone wants to drop in.
* Circulation: 550 games are now cataloged and available for the interlibrary loan through Jersey Cat. She filed the following circulation and attendance numbers.
* Attendance: January 09: 216. . It appears that Wednesdays and Fridays are the busier days. 95 items were checked out during the month.
OLD BUSINESS
Summer Hours –Carol reported the need for additional staffing, to be paid for by Mediatech during the summer. She recommended the need for an additional 150 hours, at an approximate cost of $2000 Mediatech. The board approved this expenditure (Mike/Lou).
Briteside — Warren reported that he had received a thank you card from Briteside to Mediatech for the use of the projector and help with Wii software.
Town website maintenance — Bob Flisser reported on his progress in finding new, more secure routers for the Wi-Fi for pubic access in and around Mediatech. Warren gave Mike a check for $1000 from the Borough to cover equipment (routers and software). Bob reminded the board that this money was to be used for hardware and software only, and that he was volunteering his time. The board asked to be kept updated on this progress, and that receipts for any purchased items should be should be reported at the next board meeting.
Summer Fundraiser Gala Plans– Warren passed around a document called “Mediatech Foundation Presents a Five Year Anniversary Gala” that included feedback from former board members and community members. The Good Old Days in the 21st Century” which can be download from the website, for those interested in the full report. The board concluded the meeting with some brainstorming, deciding to would try for the “low expectations” model — to try have a small gathering in the courthouse, sell some tickets and have food catered in conjunction with the Lindbergh flight recreation. If we get help, we can expand the effort.
Dismantling Shelves
Several board members got their hands dirty by moving software into the basement and taking down the old shelves. There is still more work to be done (and also some painting…) if anyone wants to drop in.
These are good goals for us: They came from Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Education Foundations.
1. First and foremost, put your yearly plan and budgetary goals in writing.
2. Recruit passionate board members and volunteers who are representative of the community;
integrate them onto active committees.
3. Make sure the majority of the citizens in your community should know “Who you are
and what you do!”
4.Update your “case for support” to reflect the critical economic year ahead.
5. Launch an “Electronic Newsletter.” Published every month each issue should include
the importance of public education, examples of outstanding classroom achievement
and how your education foundation is helping achieving these successes.
6. Establish an advocacy philosophy for public education that includes the recognition
of individuals and other entities that support the school district. Consider creating
a district-wide “Points of Pride” program and “Pride Day.”
7. Make your Annual and Major Gift Programs your most important and highest revenue
generating fundraising effort.
8. Fund a major educational initiative for the school district of greater than $25,000.
Plan for the future of your foundation by starting an “Endowment Fund” and Legacy
Society.
9. Establish a successful “Signature Event” that captures the support of the entire
community
10. Partner with other like-minded organizations (start by reading Forces for Good:
The Six Practices of High Impact Non-Profits)
11. Insure your by-laws include sections on Director and Liability Insurance, Gift Policy
and Annual Report.
12. Use Fundraising Software for accurate information on your donors, alumni and financial
reporting.
13. Publish your Annual Report.
