Digital Media Lab
at Skokie Public Library

Opened in September 2009, the Digital Media Lab is located on the 1st floor of the Library and is open to adult (high school and older) Skokie Public Library members. It contains four new Apple desktop computers loaded with software that will enable users to creatively express themselves through digital videos, music, photography, websites, graphic design, podcasts, presentations and other forms of digital media. The room also features two scanners, an electronic keyboard, and a green screen wall. Digital cameras, Flip video camcorders, portable hard drives, and tripods are also available for overnight checkout.

What are the rules?

What computers and equipment are available?

What software is available?

Where can I learn more about Macs and the Digital Media Lab?

      

What are the rules?

• The Digital Media Lab is open during normal Library hours, but closes 30 minutes prior to the Library closing.
• The Digital Media Lab is open to Skokie Public Library card holders who are of high school age and older.
• All general behavioral guidelines for the Library apply.
• No food or drinks of any kind are permitted.
• A maximum of 8 people are allowed at any given time.
• Users can make 2-hour reservations (with extended time permitted if no one else is waiting) to use a computer by speaking to a staff member in the Adult Computer Lab in-person or by phone. A security access card will be handed to the user to gain entry to gain entry to the Digital Media Lab. Reservations will be held for 10 minutes after they are scheduled to begin.
• A Skokie Public Library card and one additional photo ID will be kept in the Adult Computer Lab until the user returns the security access card. Lost or damaged security access cards will incur a fine of $50.
• The individual who checks out the card will be considered the main user and is responsible for any damage or misuse of the equipment, even if a group is working on a project together.
• Users will be assigned to a specific computer based on their needs.
• The door should be kept closed unless a staff member is present.
• Priority will be given to users who are working on digital media projects (videos, music, websites, photo editing, scanning). Users who are using the computers for web browsing will be asked to use the other adult internet stations in the Library.
• Users must save their work on an external memory source (external hard drives are available for checkout and CDs, DVDs, and flash drives are sold at the reference desk)
• If a computer is not working, users should ask for help from the Adult Computer Lab. Please dial x2179 from the Digital Media Lab to contact the Adult Computer Lab.
• Overnight loans of portables hard drives, digital cameras, and Flip video camcorders will be allowed for users who have a valid Skokie library card. Users must complete an agreement form and these items must be returned directly to the Adult Computer Lab by the time the Library closes the following day (7 days for portable hard drives). All check-outs and check-ins for this equipment will be handled at the Adult Computer Lab. An overdue fine of $10/day will be added to users' accounts for late items. Users who lose or damage equipment will be charged the replacement cost of the equipment.

What computers and other equipment are available?

Apple iMac desktops (3)   Apple Mac Pro desktop (1)   Canoscan 8800F color film/negative/photo scanners (2)   Flip Mino HD camcorders (3)   Lacie 250G rugged portable hard drives (7)   M-Audio Oxygen 61-key USB/MIDI controller keyboard (1)   Bamboo Fun tablet (1)   Canopus ADVC 110 digital video converter (1)

Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS digital cameras (2)   Bose Companion 2 multimedia speaker systems (2)   Blue Yeti microphones (2)   Sony tripod - standard size (1)   Flip tripod - miniature size (1)   M-Audio Fast Track USB (1)

What software is available?

• Mac OS X v.10.6 (Snow Leopard)
• iLife 09
  • iMovie
  • iPhoto
  • Garage Band (plus Garage Band Jam Packs)
  • iWeb
• iTunes 9
• iDVD
• iWork 09
  • Pages
  • Numbers
  • Keynote
• Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Premium
  • InDesign CS4
  • Photoshop CS4 Extended
  • Illustrator CS4
  • Flash CS4 Professional
  • Dreamweaver CS4
  • Fireworks CS4
  • Acrobat 9 Pro
  • Adobe Bridge CS4
• Adobe Photoshop Elements
• Final Cut Studio
  • Final Cut Pro 7
  • Motion 4
  • Soundtrack Pro 3
  • Color 1.5
  • Compressor 3.5
  • DVD Studio Pro 4
• MP Navigator EX
• Logic Express
• MacTubes
• Handbrake
• Flickr Uploadr
• Burn
• Firefox
• Safari

Where can I learn more about Macs and the Digital Media Lab?

To learn more about using Macs and the Digital Media Lab computers/software, you can:

• Complete our online form to request a group workshop or one-on-one tutorial with a Library technology assistant.
• Visit The Radar, the Library’s technology blog, to read the latest news and tips about the Digital Media Lab.
• View the Apple video tutorials for Mac Basics, iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band, iWork, and more.
• Read e-books on computers and technology using the Library’s Safari Books Online database.
• View screencast tutorials using the Library’s Atomic Learning database (only available from within the Library).
• View video tutorials for Adobe CS 4 applications on Adobe TV.
• View video tutorials for Final Cut Studio on Lynda.com.