Hi All,

Telecentres, Libraries, Coworking, Fab Labs, Hackerspaces, Makerfaires — all examples of "innovation spaces".

Can you share any examples of telecentres incorporating coworking or makerspaces? I found a few library ones, but would like to also include some telecentre examples.

This is for a brief for the Beyond…

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The Public Library Innovation Program aims to spark innovative library services that improve people’s lives through the use of technology. It's specifically designed to promote partnerships — with nonprofits, business, local governments — that create new services. Anyone can apply — providing that the service you propose is developed in partnership with a public library and serves the library community. Awards are up to $30,000 USD.



eIFL.net is pleased to announce a… Continue

Way to go Microsoft. Yay! Creative Commons rocks. Read all about it at http://creativecommons.org/weblog/entry/11914.

Great article in today's International Herald Tribune on mobiles and government services.



Highlights:



"Going online from a personal computer to access government services has been commonplace in some countries for several years. Now, in Estonia, Singapore and many countries in between, many of those same services are available through your cellphone."



and



"One place… Continue

Telecentre networks implement a range of activities and services that can be augmented by incorporating communications. These include publications, events, study tours, and helpdesks. In designing these activities, remember to incorporate communications. How can you make it visible? How can you share and document? Set aside enough time and resources to contribute to the stream and help your members to do the same. You will quickly reap the benefits of your investment as key supporters and… Continue

Make sure your network is prominent in the global sphere, especially important if you want to reach international supporters. For telecentre networks this is easy to do:



• Create a profile page on telecentre.org with feeds and links to your website — and help your members to the same

• Provide network RSS feeds to a telecentre.org Community Facilitator so that they can promote your content

• Add… Continue

Create a simple information kit for new members and external publics. It can be in electronic format and posted on your website. Include:



• A fact sheet with your vision, mission, activities, number of members, number of telecentres, number of people served (use the information collected for the member directory). For guidance on clarifying vision and mission see IDRC’s Outcome Mapping Guide.

• Examples of… Continue

Creating and maintaining a member directory defines the network, makes it tangible, and provides a concrete service. Gather basic facts from each member: contact information, interests, activities, partners. You may also use the process as an opportunity to learn more about member practices, assets, and preferences — information you can use to develop or update your communications strategy. These include:



• Internet access — What type of access do your members have?

•… Continue

Touch base regularly with members via email. You don’t need to send much — share content you find exciting, practical, or inspirational. The goal here is to engage members and build a sense of community. Topics may include:



• Number of members and their characteristics

• Most active discussions (either from forums or comments to blog posts)

• Summaries of debates — what’s controversial? Where do members disagree?

• Links to new or most popular content (blogs,… Continue

Networks need a support team to coordinate, motivate, and carry the ball for busy people. For some networks the support team is made up of paid staff working as a secretariat. For others it is informal and volunteer-based. Support team roles can include:



• Leaders — People with the power to convene and the charisma to rally members around a common vision.

• Managers — People responsible for overall administration and coordination. Managers develop and implement… Continue