Ellyssa Kroski: 15 books

By one count, there are more than 7,200 escape room environments in 1,445 cities in 105 countries. So why not in libraries? Sharpening participants’ problem solving and collaboration skills by mashing up real-time adventure, immersive theater, gaming, and old-fashioned entertainment, they’re a...

Using game theory and mechanics in non-game settings to promote engagement and learning is a new trend in both business and education sectors. Savvy marketers are gamifying their efforts by offering customers loyalty badges, check-in incentives, and achievement rewards and clever employers are leveraging...

Libraries are perpetually faced with the challenge of balancing ever-shrinking budgets while steadily improving library services. One way to meet that challenge is to maximize the use of free applications and resources in the library. Free Technology for Libraries will help you discover how you can...

Makerspaces, sometimes also referred to as hackerspaces, hackspaces, and fablabs are creative, DIY spaces where people can gather to create, invent, and learn. In libraries they often have 3D printers, software, electronics, craft and hardware supplies and tools, and more. Makerspaces are becoming...

Today’s libraries are taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies such as flat panel displays using touch, sound, and hands-free motions to design amazing exhibits using everything from simple computer hardware to advanced technologies such as the Microsoft Kinect. Libraries of all types are striving...

Emerging devices are placing powerful computing abilities into the wardrobes of consumers through wearable technology which combines fashion and function in new and exciting ways. The most recognizable of these emerging gadgets is Google Glass. Wearable Technology: Smart Watches to Google Glass for...

Cosplay, comics, anime, and geek culture have exploded into the mainstream over recent years and have resulted in a thriving community of costume enthusiasts and pop culture fans. Today’s cosplayers find inspiration on the pages of comics, classic literature, and even history, as well as film, television,...

Graphics which visually represent data or complex ideas are oftentimes easier for people to understand and digest than standalone statistics. A map shaded with different colors to represent religious affiliations or income levels enables researchers to quickly identify trends and patterns. New free...

Snapchat, a new photo and video sharing mobile app logs over 400 million messages every day. Instagram, a similar mobile app boasts over 130 million users. And the 6-second video-making app Vine has skyrocketed to 40 million users within its first year. Discover how you can leverage the popularity...

WordPress is not only the most popular blogging software in the world, but it is also a powerful content management system that runs more than 23 percent of all websites. The current version alone has been downloaded almost 20 million times, and the WordPress community has built more than 38,000 plugins...

Libraries are creating dynamic knowledge bases to capture both tacit and explicit knowledge and subject expertise for use within and beyond their organizations. In this book, readers will learn to move policies and procedures manuals online using a wiki, get the most out of Microsoft SharePoint with...

Makerspaces: A Practical Guide for Librarians, Second Edition is an A–Z guidebook jam-packed with resources, advice, and information to help you develop and fund your own makerspace from the ground up. Learn what other libraries are making, building, and doing in their makerspaces and how you can,...

MOOCs or massive open online courses that can be attended by hundreds of thousands of students at the same time have become wildly popular in recent years, and have begun to gain traction with libraries as well. There are many potential roles for libraries in MOOCs including: development, support,...

Today's library patrons are browsing the Web on a variety of devices including tablets, e-readers, mobile phones, and desktops. Responsive web design employs techniques that will enable your library's website to automatically adapt to whatever screen size it's being viewed on. Learn how to utilize...