1. HARDWARE, SOFTWARE
& PROGRAMMING
Alex Hoffman
Digital Media Specialist
Arlington Heights Memorial Library

2. CONTACT
ahoffman@ahml.info
@iamalexhoffman
EXPERIENCE
Over a year managing AHML’s lab
BA Visual Communication Design
•Experience with Audio & Video Production
•Apple Retail

3. OVERVIEW
Population of roughly 75,000
The total circulation for the fiscal year
ending in April 2012 was 2,670,136 items
Over 360,000 items in the collection
Over 1,000 newspapers and magazines
Over 44,000 movies
Over 32,000 CDs
Over 3,000 eBooks

4. 44
THE STUDIO
Opened in January 2012
1 room (former office)
$15,000 budget
EQUIPMENT
2 iMacs
Adobe Creative Suite 5.5
Photoshop Elements
iLife
iWork
Flatbed Scanner
Film Scanner
2 USB Mics
Green Screen
2 Sony Bloggie Touches
•2 Canon Powershots
2 USB External Hard Drives
2 Tripods
Zoom H1 Audio Recorder
MIDI Keyboard

5. THE STUDIO (RENOVATED)
Opened in January 2013
$25,000 budget
5 studios
Expanded capabilities

6. 6
STUDIO A
Hardware
iMac - 27" Screen, 2.7 GHz Quad Core Intel i7, 8GB
RAM, 1TB HDD
Epson Perfection V600 Flatbed Scanner
Plustek Optic Film & Slide 7600 Scanner
Wacom Tablet
Sony MDR-7506 Stereo Headphones
Software
Adobe Creative Suite 6.0 Design Standard (Photoshop,
Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat)
Final Cut X
iLife '11 (iMovie, GarageBand, iTunes)
iWork '09 (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers
Handbrake
Silverfast 8
EpsonScan
•Screenflow (screencasting)

7. STUDIO B
Hardware
Mac Pro - 3.2 GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon, 8GB RAM,
1TB HDD
Dual Dell Ultrasharp 24" Widescreen Monitors
Epson Perfection V600 Flatbed Scanner
M-Audio BX5a Studio Monitors
Sony MDR-7506 Stereo Headphones
Software
Final Cut X
Adobe Creative Suite 5.0 Master Collection
(Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Flash, Flash
Builder, Flash Catalyst, Dreamweaver, Fireworks,
Contribute, Premiere, After Effects, Audition,
OnLocation, Encore, Bridge, Media Encoder, Dynamic
Link, Device Central)
Microsoft Office 2011
iLife '11 (iMovie, GarageBand, iTunes)
iWork '09 (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers
Handbrake

8. 8
STUDIO C
Hardware
iMac - 27" Screen, 2.9GHz Quad Core intel i5, 8GB
RAM, 1TB HDD
M-Audio BX5a Studio Monitors
M-Audio Fast Track audio interface
Sony MDR-7506 Stereo Headphones
Software
Logic Pro
Izotope RX
Toontrack EZ Drummer
Microsoft Office 2011
iLife '11 (iMovie, GarageBand, iTunes)
iWork '09 (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers
Handbrake

9. STUDIO PRODUCTION
Hardware
iMac - 27" Screen, 2.7 GHz Quad Core Intel i7, 8GB
RAM, 1TB HDD
Studio Lights with Softening Umbrellas (x5)
AlienBee 800 Studio Flash
AlienBee 400 Studio Flash (x2)
M-Audio BX5a Studio Monitors
Calumet 12' Background Support
Green, Black & White backdrops
PreSonus MSR Monitor Station
PreSonus FireStudio Project
M-Audio Axiom 51 MIDI Keyboard
Yamaha DTX500K Electronic Drumset
Audio Technica AT4033/CL Condensor Mic (x2)
4x6 Isolation VocalBooth
Sony MDR-7506 Stereo Headphones
Software
Logic Pro
Toontrack EZDrummer
Smart Music
iLife '11 (iMovie, GarageBand, iTunes)
iWork '09 (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers
Handbrake

10. 10
STUDIO ENTRY
Hardware
Mac Mini, 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core
i7, 8GB memory, 1TB hard drive
Toshiba VHS/DVD Conversion Unit
IONaudio USB Tape Deck
Canopus Analog/Digital Converter
Software
iLife '11 (iMovie, GarageBand, iTunes)
iWork '09 (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers
Handbrake

12. AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT
One-week Loan
Western Digital 1TB External USB 3.0 Hard Drive (x2)
Zoom H1 portable digital recorder
Sony Bloggie Touch camcorder (x2)
Canon PowerShot S95 digital cameras (x2)
Large Pearstone tripod
Medium Pearstone tripod
4-hour Checkout within the Studio
Brief training required to use this equipment
Sennheiser EQ112-p G3 Wireless Lav Mic (x2)
Canon 60D with 15-85mm Lens
Seagate Thunderbolt Hard Drive
Zoom H4n

13. SERVICES
1:1 appointments
Drop in assistance
Classes in the training center (50-60/month, 80 by fall)
Lynda.com & Atomic Training for self paced learning

14. STUDIO GUIDELINES
OPEN Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.
NOTE The Studio will close 30 minutes before the library closes.
Two-hour reservations (Four hours for VHS conversions) can be made in person or by phone. Extensions
in additional one-hour increments beyond this are possible if there are no pending reservations.
Users must be Arlington Heights residents with an account in good standing and fines under $10.
The cardholder is responsible for other users accompanying him or her.
•The Studio is to be used solely for digital media projects. Those with general computing needs such as
Internet access, email, and Microsoft Office should use public computers, laptops or iPads.
•The library’s Code of Conduct applies to those who use the Studio.
•Customers should keep noise levels to a minimum and use headphones when possible.
•All work, file saving, file uploading, etc. must be completed by the end of your reservation. Keep this in mind
when managing your allotted time in the Studio.
Studios A, B, C & Entry hold a maximum of 4 people. Studio Production holds 6 at most.
The Studio is a food- and drink-free environment.
People of all ages utilize this space. Please keep this in mind if you leave content on these computers
temporarily.
•Do not use any of the equipment for illegal or unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials or content
you have no right to reproduce or distribute.
•Please report any issues with the Studio to Digital Services staff at the Tech Help Desk.

15. Pilot Studio Renovation New Studio

16. Pilot Studio Renovation New Studio
USAGE BY CATEGORY (HOURS)

17. 17

18. Pilot Studio Renovation
New Studio
& Training Center

19. MOST USED SOFTWARE
•Photoshop (Photo & Design)
•Logic Pro (Audio)
•Lynda.com (Video Tutorials)
•iMovie (Video Editing)
•Silverfast (Scanning)
•Quicktime Player (Video Conversion)

20. WHAT ARE PEOPLE DOING?
•Converting home movies to DVD or digital video file
•Scanning photos, slides & film
•Editing ESL videos for English language learners
•Broadcasting live podcasts
•Shooting video and recording voice overs for a career management product
•Restoring photos damaged by water and time
•Learning digital media skills to stay competitive in the workplace
•Recording & practicing for auditions

21. ahml.info/studio

22. BUILDING A
DML

23. WHO’S YOUR
AUDIENCE?
•Hobbyists?
•Professionals?
•Beginners?
•What age?
•What interest?

24. THE STUDIO
•Over 25 ≈ 80%
•Under 25 ≈ 20%

25. EASE OF USE
•It’s all about the experience
•It’s about making technology accessible to people
•Remove the fear and complexity

26. 26

27. HARDWAR
E

28. MAC OR WINDOWS?
•Budget
•Software
•IT Department
•Support

29. FOCUS?
•Video
•Audio
•Photography

30. • Computers (iMac, Windows)($500 - $3000)
• Cameras & Camcorders (Point & Shoot, HD Camcorder, DSLR)($200-$2000)
• Scanners (Flatbed Scanner, Film/Slide Scanner)($200-$1000)
• Microphones (USB Condensor Mics, SM57) ($100-$1000)
• Audio Interface (Fireproject Studio, M-Box, M-Audio Fast Track)($75-$2000)
• Audio/Video Conversion Equipment (VHS to DVD, USB Cassette Deck & Turntable)($75-$250)
• Lighting Kits/Backdrops (3 Point Lighting Kit)($99-$500)
• Soundbooth/Sound Proofing (Vocal Booth, Acoustic Panels)($100-$10,000)
• Instruments (Keyboard, Electric Drumkit, Guitar)($100-$1000)
• Tablets (iPad, Nexus)($200-$800)

31. SOFTWARE

32. LOW COST & OPEN SOURCE
SOFTWARE (Mac, Windows, & Linux)
•Gimp – Photo/Graphics
•Pixelmator (Mac only) – Photo/Graphics
•Acorn (Mac only) – Photo/Graphics
•iMovie (Mac only) – VideoiPhoto (Mac only) – Photo
•Garageband (Mac only) – Audio
•Inkscape – Graphics/Illustration
•Scribus – Layout Design
•Synfig – Animation
•Nvu – Web Design
•Audacity – Audio
•Avidemux – Video
•Jahshaja – Video
•Open Office – Productivity
•Libre Office – Productivity

33. HIGH END SOFTWARE
(Mac & Windows)
•Adobe Photoshop – Photo/Graphics
•Adobe Illustrator – Graphics/Illustration
•Adobe InDesign – Layout Design
•Adobe Dreamweaver – Web Design
•Adobe Premiere – Video
•Adobe Encore – DVD/Blu Ray Authoring
•Adobe After Effects – Post Production
•Adobe Flash – Animation
•Adobe Muse – Web Design
•Final Cut Pro (Mac Only) – Video
•Logic Pro (Mac Only) – Audio
•Pro Tools – Audio
•Reason – Audio
•Cubase – Audio

34. BUDGET PHOTO & DESIGN STATION
•Spare computer or budget Windows machine ($0-$600)
•Epson Perfection V600 ($200)
•Canon Powershot SX160 IS ($200)
•Photoshop Elements ($100)
•GIMP (Free)
•Inkscape (Free)
•Scribus (Free)
•TOTAL = $500-$1100

35. MID-RANGE AUDIO STATION
•21” iMac ($1,300)
•FireStudio Project ($500)
•Shure SM57 ($100)
•Audio Technica AT2020 USB Mic ($150)
•M-Audio BX5a Monitors ($300)
•M-Audio Oxygen 49 MIDI Keyboard ($150)
•Logic Pro ($200)
•TOTAL = $2700

36. HIGH END MULTIMEDIA WORKSTATION
•27” iMac ($2,000)
•FireStudio Project ($500)
•Audio Technica AT4040 Mic x2 ($600)
•M-Audio BX5a Monitors ($300)
•M-Audio Oxygen 49 MIDI Keyboard ($150)
•Logic Pro ($200)
•Final Cut X ($300)
•Adobe Creative Suite CS6 Master Collection ($2,600)
•Canon 5D MKIII with Lens ($4,000)
•TOTAL = $10,650

37. PROGRAMMING
•Classes
•Events
•Contests

38. CLASSES
•1.5 hours
•Mini classes (40-60 minutes)
•Open to Arlington Heights residents
•Register online or over phone
•Scheduled in two month increments
•Dual Boot iMacs (Windows & Mac)

39. CLASSES
•Intro to Photoshop
•Editing Video with iMovie
•Create a Slideshow in iPhoto
•Digitize Your Home Movies
•Digitize Your Slides, Photos & Film
•Apple Users Group
•Intro to Mac OS X
•Keynote for Mac OS X
•Digitize Your Analog Audio
•Basic Audio Production
•Intro to Pages
•Using Adobe Acrobat Pro
•Intro to Illustrator
•Intro to InDesign

40. 40

41. EVENTS
•Studio X-Treme
•Studio Squad
•Summer Reading Groups
•Teen Groups
CONTESTS
•Film Fest

42. 42

43. WRAP UP
•Make ease of use a priority
•Appeal to the users
•Effective DML’s can be created on smaller budgets
•Many commonly used software titles are free or relatively inexpensive (Adobe is the exception)
•Make additional use of space with classes, programs & events