Early in our unit’s life-cycle, we decided that one thing we wanted to offer our user- community is a think-tank. Our Library makes deliberate efforts to invest in current technologies and encourages our users to harness their power through learning and practice. One of the most popular aspects of our Technology Design Studio is our computing power – we have iMac workstations tricked-out with Microsoft Office, Apple’s  iLife, and Adobe CS5 Master Suite. Many of our students use the Adobe software in their studies – mass media, graphic design and journalist-types flock to our area to make use of the computers. Yet and still, we notice there’s a knowledge gap among students, faculty and staff regarding exactly what to do with the sophisticated programs we house.

We decided to host a “meet-up” and find out what our community knows, wants to learn, and how they use Adobe programs. Here’s our Adobe + Interest Group Flier.

It was easy to decide to focus on Adobe – the staff in our unit harbor our own interest in Adobe – we use it professionally and personally. We talk to students and colleagues about Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign daily. We see users do everything from design logos to print posters with us.

The hard part is figuring out how to facilitate the meet-up and getting our “think-tank” to coalesce. With the varied schedules, points-of-view and needs of our target audience, we have to consider the best logistics for the meet-up and how to steer it. Nevertheless, we’re on our way.

The week before Thanksgiving, we had the initial meeting. We talked about Adobe in general and why we like the Master Suite package. Visit the Document Archive Page to find the handout we gave to attendees.

ELT will continue to host the meet-up, make adjustments to the format and better publicize to our audiences. The Adobe+ Meet-Up group is catching-on.