Well, look who made it here in the rain today.
Melissa Donaldson, the head of digital services and innovation at the Racine Public Library.
I see it didn't melt.
No, I did not.
Is it raining hard out there?
No, not really.
It's a nice rain.
It's actually a pretty nice rain.
It's not cold.
It's... You like rain, huh?
I do like rain.
I guess you don't mow the lawn a lot, right?
Nope.
That's my husband's job.
I got mine yesterday because my wife said, you know what's going to rain?
I ran out of the mower.
Okay, we have a lot going on at the Racine Public Library.
Before we do that, let's talk about your title.
Digital services and innovation.
Digital services, I can kind of understand.
Innovation.
It goes with the innovation lab.
We have our 3D printers, our laser engravers.
We do one-on-one tech help.
So that's kind of where we talk about innovation.
We provide opportunities for patrons to
try new technology that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do so.
I still can't wrap my head around 3D printers.
I mean, it's been explained to me.
I don't understand how I can put like a cup under that and I get a cup out the other side.
I don't understand that.
That's the Twilight Zone stuff.
It's pretty cool.
It's pretty cool because it takes a digital model and just kind of translates it.
We use the slicer software to translate it into a file that the printer can understand and then it
prints it for us.
It's pretty cool.
I don't understand how I got a copy of this from my phone to paper.
I don't understand that.
I'm never going to get 3D printers.
I think if I saw it once.
Well, you have to stop down and we'll go through it.
Actually, we're having a 3D printing class for adults coming up next week, I think.
So you're going to dumb it
down?
Not really.
We kind of just explain how it is.
You're such a diplomat.
Let's talk about some of the things coming up here.
The little explorer steam club now is this I was an explorer Explorer when I was a teenager And we were we had an Explorer post is this like that.
No, this is just a steam Club for two and three year olds
now steam explain that
science technology engineering arts and math So we have various activities.
We're gonna do a little carpet time with a story There'll be activities for parents to do with their kids
And then we're going to have a little parent time to where we'll talk about some activities that they could do with their children at home to help the kids explore steam.
What are the dates of this?
It is basically every Monday and through December 7th.
That
didn't sound positive.
I just had to look at my notes.
Yeah, so it's every Monday from now until December 7th, except for November 23rd because that's the week of Thanksgiving.
We're taking that week off
ages two to three
ages two to three.
Can you can you deal with a two-year-old?
Can you talk to them
and we do a little fun activity, so they're very very For example an activity we're gonna do next week is we have a Coffee filter and they're gonna we're gonna put some food coloring in water and then they're gonna mix colors and see what colors they can mix with a different color Really?
Yeah, it's just like fun messes, you know
I don't know what I knew when I was two or three
years
old.
I know I wasn't smart, so I knew that.
Okay, so that's the Little Explorer Steam Club, and that starts on September 14th, runs through December 7th, two to 3 p.m.
for two and three year olds.
That's pretty neat.
Let's talk about the City of Racine job sessions.
Now, this is for the big people, for adults.
Yes, this is for adults.
We're partnering with City of Racine Human Resources Department to go over how to apply for a City of Racine job.
There's a lot of people who may not know how to do that.
Everything is done online.
So we've reached out to human resources to see if they can come in to help people figure that out a little bit more.
Yeah, I never had to apply for a job in my life.
Really?
No, I never did.
You're kind of lucky.
Yeah, I never had to apply for it.
I just sent my, what they call a tape and resume.
And they said, you want to start when?
And that was it.
You never
had to
fill out.
Now they make you fill out an application after you get the job.
Okay.
They
send you the information.
It's a little
weird.
I never had a, I never went for a job interview in my life.
Wow.
You could have talking though.
Sorry.
You could be.
Give it a radio people.
That's, they don't want to hear any more talking.
I mean, enough talking.
Could you, could you say the name of the record?
That's all we want to know.
If you could do that, you got the job.
All right.
So that's interesting.
Okay.
So because people get nervous during job interviews, they, you know,
how many, how many, how
many, I don't know what to say.
I
know I do.
And they say stupid things, which keep them from getting the job.
Yep.
Yeah.
You get nervous and you
just- You've been on job interviews, right?
I have.
Do you rehearse it before you go in?
Um, I do a little bit.
Um, I talk about, you know, I talk about like, kind of like, look at questions that they might ask me online and then kind of go over those in my head.
But that's how I do it.
I haven't done it in a long while, but, um,
but that's what I do.
The biggest station I've worked at was WSB in Atlanta.
It was a, you can hear it all 48 states at night.
It's one of the biggest in America.
And I was on a lunch break from the station I was working at.
And I walked over, can I have a tour?
And I said, yeah.
He said, well, you worked on a block, right?
You want to work here?
I said, okay.
He said, all right, let's, let's talk about what you're going to do here.
And that's why I got the job on my lunch break.
No job interview.
I was just taking a tour of the building.
Nice.
In radio, you don't really, that's the way it works.
Right.
We don't, they hire you and they fire you on you.
We're very disposable.
All right.
So the city received job sessions for adults.
It's coming up Tuesday, September 29th and October 20th.
from one to three p.m.
registration is required.
How do you
register?
You register online at racinglibrary.info.
You'll click on the calendar button and then it'll take you to a calendar.
You just find the date that you want to come, click on that, and then there'll be a registration button.
And you really, putting a resume together is an art.
You don't want to put too much on there because you don't want to bore them to death, but you want to put the right amount on there.
I mean, some people have six pages of stuff.
Just list what you do.
Yeah, list your basics.
During the break, I'll show you what a my resume looks like.
You won't believe it.
All right.
Girls Who Code.
Boy, that sounds like a group to go to.
Yeah, it's like a
rock group.
Girls
Who Code.
It's a lot of fun.
We used to do this at our USD schools this year.
We're going to try it at the library on Wednesdays because our USD has some early release Wednesdays.
So we're going to do it.
The third Wednesday of every month for grades six through twelve and then grades three through five will be every fourth Wednesday.
They got to describe what coding is because people like me don't know what that means.
Coding.
Coding is another word for programming.
It's more modern word for programming.
So you learn.
I
just learned programming.
Now you got a new word.
Coding.
And this is putting together computer programs, right?
Yep.
Yep.
So they'll have, they'll have like projects that they'll have to work on our little ones.
We tend to have them work on our robots and then our... Really?
Yeah.
We have some robots that they can learn to code on.
Whoa.
Yeah.
I mean, how big are these robots?
They're like... Little tiny robots?
Yeah.
They're little tiny robots named Dash.
And they're just super cute.
Did you see the robots that I think was a China?
They were running on a track.
Oh, I saw that.
Track me thing.
Whoa now the only thing they couldn't do is get out of the way of another robot and they started tripping over each other Yeah, but they were fast going around that track.
I mean it's machine course.
They don't have any limitations Except the ones we give them
and the limitation was I didn't see the robot that just tripped in front of me and I went over and broke.
Yep Whoa, so that's interesting.
All right, so coding.
This is programming computer coding grades six through twelve Grades three through five and they will meet on different days
the third Wednesday of every month, the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Registration is required.
Just don't show up and you register at
racinglibrary.info.
This is good stuff.
I mean, if you're going to stay ahead of the curve, when I used to go to the library when I was a kid, the only thing I used over there was the encyclopedia Britannica, a copy out of it and handed my paper.
That's all I did.
That's all it was good for.
I went to the library.
I didn't want to read the book.
a copy of that stuff and they got me through, got me through school.
We are talking to Melissa Donaldson.
She is the head of digital services and innovation at the Racine Public Library.
The head, huh?
You're the head of everything.
You call the shots, huh?
Well, just in my department.
That's also something.
OK, good.
We're talking about different different programs coming to the Racine Public Library, but by popular demand, Minecraft Club.
Now, this is based on the video game, right?
Yeah, this is the video.
This is the video.
Yeah.
So we have an online server where we get kids together and they can come and play.
It's just like an open lab where people just have fun and play.
Minecraft.
Yep.
I never played it now.
I remember the movie was in theaters because I told you during the break that kids were coming in dressed in costumes.
And I said, you've seen the Minecraft movie?
And he looked at me like, yeah, stupid.
Of course I'm coming
in.
What do you think I'm coming in to say?
Anyway, so yeah, so now do you have to register for that?
No registration for this.
It's just drop-in.
It's drop-in open lab.
Just fun play again.
Really?
Yeah, it's on the first Wednesday of every month from two to four.
So you can come anytime during that time frame.
Well, the live
one's come a long way since I was a kid.
Wow.
Now, here's the thing I should probably go through.
3D printing 101.
This is the beginning for adults.
This is how they're going to say, now this is a printer.
PR.
Right.
This is how it starts.
Let's talk about this.
So this is our basic 3D printing.
We kind of go over what 3D printing is, what we use to print, how you can order a print from the Racing Public Library, stuff like that.
So it's a very, very simple overview of what it entails.
I got to see this sometime.
I
got to get down.
You should
come.
If I just pop in sometime.
We'll be happy to
show you.
I drop my Y4 for the Moshong every month.
Yeah, that's on Saturdays, right?
Um, yes.
Yeah, stop by the Innovation Lab.
Usually every Saturday except this Saturday, we'll be at a party on the pavement this Saturday.
But
usually
we have somebody in there.
She pops in every, I think one of Saturday a month.
She goes to play mahjong there.
And she loves it.
And, you know, I bought her for her birthday a mahjong set, a nice one.
And I played it and I won three games.
There you
go.
And she was the expert and I won three.
Okay, that's 3D printing 101 for adults and no registration required, huh?
Nope.
No.
Just show up and get ready to learn.
Yep.
The Make Stuff series.
I like the name of that.
What's that?
Well, that's our monthly arts and crafts program for teens and adults.
This coming on the first Wednesday we'll do fall wood painting.
So I have a craft that everybody does once a month.
And we just ask you to register so we know what, how many supplies are put out and whatnot.
And I see during the series, like September 2nd, sunflower wreath craft, then in October, it's fall wood painting, paint by numbers in November, paint a ceramic ornament, Christmasy around December 2nd.
Well, it's kind of neat.
Yeah, it's a lot of fun, a lot of fun.
Yeah.
We've been doing it for a little while and then we took a break this summer and then we're.
We're coming back as people were asking for
it.
Adults and teenagers can do that.
Correct.
All right.
Here's another one I probably need.
Computer basics.
Now, I have a Windows 11 on my laptop, and I have to use it every day for my work.
I pray when I turn it on, it's going to work.
I just pray that things are going to come on and just do what I want it to do.
And so far, so good.
Well, it's new.
Right.
So it's Windows 11.
Let's talk about that.
Computer basics, Windows 11.
What do we have to learn
there?
basic overview on how to use Windows, how to turn it on, how to do some basic troubleshooting, how to find files, how to explore the basic operating system, which is Windows.
We'll explore that a little bit.
Now, I had a thing, you know, they do these updates occasionally with Windows.
And I had this thing come on and said, your virus protection is not on.
Toggle it on.
Well, I looked and it was on.
So I looked on Google and said, it's a bug, and they'll fix it eventually, but it's telling you it's off even though it's on.
I had an update yesterday, fixed it.
Oh, there you go.
But, you know, they scare me.
Absolutely.
And I'm looking at it, the green check mark is on, and it says you're completely covered.
But yet, it said, no, you're not.
Yeah.
What do you think about that whole thing now about computer?
They said AI can wipe out humanity.
in a decade or so.
I mean,
they said that about the internet too, so.
Yeah, but this is they, they sounded scary.
These AI companies and you don't care.
It is what it is.
Just another tool, another tool in the shed.
That's the way I look at it.
Wow.
Look at you.
Confidence all the way.
Okay.
Computer basics.
That runs September 15th through October 13th at the innovation lab.
No registration required to show up.
And do you have to have your own computer or you just have stuff there?
No, we'll have some computers there.
OK, good.
I think I need that.
And if you want to bring your computer, you're welcome to bring your own computer.
Biblio Plus online resources, what's that?
So we signed up for a new service this summer.
We kicked it off.
It's an online streaming.
So if you want to watch a video movie, TV series, you can do that with your library card.
Whoa, right online,
huh?
Right
online, yep.
So right now I'm schlepping to the library to get the, I told you we discovered the series Friends.
I had never seen it before.
Hard to believe.
And now we're watching one series and you have the DVDs there.
Yep.
Yeah.
So it has a variety of different things.
It's very BBC heavy.
A lot of.
I say, well, I was a lady.
I asked, is she here today?
Maybe
I
could go around.
Something like that.
Yeah.
OK.
So that
my wife loves the BBC watches everything BBC.
So then she'll probably like this.
I just can't
get past the accents.
That's it.
Oh, I watched so much British TV that I don't even notice the accents.
I
said, but listen, Donaldson is here.
See from the colonies.
Is that what you think?
So yeah, all you need is a library card in your pin and you can register to start streaming.
And how do you get started on all this thing
here?
You can go to biblioplus.com slash register.
And then there's also an Android app, an Apple app, a Roku app, and an Amazon
app.
Now, when we podcast this, you can get it on wrjn.com, civicmedia.us.
Apple podcast Spotify even shows up on YouTube or wherever get your podcast somebody went on this strange site and typed in the name of the program and all the podcast came up That's cool.
Wherever you get your podcast isn't that amazing how that works?
It is very amazing.
Yeah, so whenever I like when I send you the little note Where we get your podcast just bring it up.
Just type in Don Rosen show and you'll find it Well, this is good.
You have to put this all together and you have to have the dates all cleared That's that's just great the way you people
just together in the library.
Now, do you need a library card for all this stuff?
Yes.
Well, for the online stuff, absolutely.
For Biblioplus, for Libby, for Comics Plus, yeah, all of that you need to have your library card and pin number.
Really?
Yeah.
And pin number two.
Oh, you know what?
When I have to renew stuff, I do it online.
I forget how I do it.
I put my library card in there.
And your pin number.
And it takes you to your
account.
Oh, boy.
I have a list at home of all
my... We have a new catalog.
I don't know if you've noticed that, but we do have a new catalog, new online patron catalog.
Well, I got it on my phone.
I
go to Racine
Library.
Do you have the app?
Is there
anywhere app?
When we get done, I'll show you what I have.
Okay.
And I look up stuff to see if you have it.
And it tells you which library in your system, not necessarily Racine Library.
It could be any library.
Right.
And you get some guy schlepping out there to bring it back within a day or two.
It's really amazing.
Yeah, it really is.
It's a really super nice system and we're part of, I think it's four counties now, Racine, Walworth, Kenosha and Rock County libraries.
We're all in one system.
And you get some guy to run out
there and get my stuff.
Yep, we have delivery drivers that pick up materials every day.
Mr.
Rosen wants this DVD now.
I'm going to go out there, but it's snowing.
I don't care.
Mr. Rosen wants to watch this.
I'm
going out in his blizzard to
go get it for him.
Where is it?
Rock County, I am going out there.
He's a patron of the library, a taxpayer, and I'm going to get him that movie.
Yeah.
And it really works like that.
I mean, I'm joking around, but that's how it works.
And you go there and it's right there.
Yeah.
And you got some nice, friendly people at the front desk.
It's just nice place.
I mean, you do a good job over there.
Plenty of parking around the place.
And my wife loves the mahjong.
And I don't know how she discovered that because she never played.
My mother used to play mahjong when I was a kid.
All these women used to come over to bring their mahjong set.
And my mother made the sandwiches and everything.
And they got together, you know, creating dirt in the neighborhood.
And they all got there.
My mother played mahjong.
It was like every week they got together.
Interesting.
And then it kind of fell out.
And now it's back and popular again.
Oh, it's a lot of favor for a while.
It was.
I've never heard of it until recently.
So, like, for me, like, this is the new.
No, like.
until like two or three years ago when we started hosting it at the library, I never heard about it.
I
think if you watch some shows like Everyone Loves Raymond or Kevin James, King of Queens, occasionally they bring up their name Majang, somebody's
playing
Majang on the show.
See here at occasion, in Seinfeld too.
Mount Majang comes up.
Well, thank you for coming and we covered everything, right?
Yeah,
we did.
Okay,
this is great.
I love having new people in here because I learned a lot.
Well, this is Donaldson, head of Digital Services and Innovation.
Everything we talked about will be podcasted later today.
But if they want to see it in print, they can go to
racinglibrary.info.
And they have to do a slash or anything?
That I don't know the slash.
But if you click on our calendar button on our home page, it'll take you to our events calendar, where you can see all the programming that's going on.
Well, thanks for coming in.
Yeah, thank you for having me.
And then rain and
everything.
It's fine.
I love the rain.
I love the rain.
It's so nice.
Okay.
Thank you, Melissa.
Have a good day.
Good to you.
Melissa Donaldson from the Racine Public Library.