The concept of storytelling is older than human history itself. Before the invention of written language, wisdom, knowledge, and information were passed down orally, and often through what would today be considered stories. In one sense, storytelling has always utilized the latest available technology. Some have said that cave paintings and other ancient findings were sometimes used to tell stories. It may be hard to think about prehistoric drawings on a cave wall as a form of technology, but at the dawn of human civilization, they were just that.

The rapid technological advances of the early 21st century have opened up new doors for the age-old practice of storytelling. While traditional storytelling is still alive and well, the practice of digital storytelling, a broad concept that encompasses the idea of using digital technology and multimedia interaction to share stories, is emerging as a useful tool for librarians and educators. In this issue of Library Technology Reports, we’ll look at how digital storytelling has emerged from the timeless practice of traditional storytelling. We’ll explore how digital storytelling has been used in different contexts to aid educators and how librarians can effectively implement digital storytelling programs. We’ll also take a brief look at some of the technological tools that can be used to tell a digital story.

--Kelly Czarnecki

About the Author

Kelly Czarnecki is the Technology Education Librarian at ImaginOn for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC). She was named one of Library Journal’s Movers and Shakers in 2007 for her work with teens and technology. Kelly writes a monthly column called “The Gaming Life” for School Library Journal and contributes to other publications, including Young Adult Library Services and Multimedia & Internet @ Schools.

In the past fifteen years, the World Wide Web has become such a major part of the library world that most libraries now have some presence on the Web. This issue of Library Technology Reports explores the idea of the digital branch—a library website that is a vital, functional resource for patrons and enhances the library’s place within its community. The report outlines an efficient process for creating a digital branch, from the initial phases of gathering information and sketching out a design, to winning approval from management, hiring qualified IT staff, and maintaining and upgrading the site once it is built. Throughout the report, the author regularly uses his experience at his own library as an example of how the process can unfold and what pitfalls to avoid.

Topics Covered in this Issue Include:

• Defining the digital branch
• Gathering information; understanding what your patrons and staff want from the digital branch
• Planning for the digital branch
• Building the digital branch
• Maintaining and upgrading the branch once its built
• Building community through the digital branch

About the Author

David Lee King is the Digital Branch and Services Manager at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, where he plans for, implements, and experiments with emerging technology trends. He speaks internationally about emerging trends, website usability and management, digital experience planning, and managing techie staff and has been published in many library-related journals. David was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for 2008 and recently published his first book, Designing the Digital Experience. David writes the Internet Spotlight column in Public Libraries magazine with Michael Porter and maintains a blog at www.davidleeking.com.