Image description: A lit sparkler on a dark background
In March of 2020, like many libraries, the Moraine Valley Community College Library closed its doors and rushed to strengthen its remote services. Something that was initially lost was our ability to promote physical resources through our beloved book cart. We wanted a way to promote digital resources to remote patrons, and we turned to the platform Adobe Spark. As we explored this platform, we found new ways to expand its use in our virtual events and instruction. Over the last year it has become an integral part of our regular work and has been engaging for both patrons and library employees.
What is Adobe Spark?
Adobe Spark, an Adobe product, is a graphics, video, and web page creation tool with a free-to-use option. Users can create fliers, social media posts, videos, and web pages with this tool.
Image description: Devices displaying Adobe Spark pages.
How Can Adobe Spark Benefit Librarians?
- Adobe Spark has an easy to learn interface that does not require any coding skills to use.
- Users are able to upload their own photos and media or choose free stock images to illustrate their pages.
- Pages are visually engaging and allow for the combination of written information and media.
- Completed pages are easy to share via blogs, email, and social media.
Image description: A collage of Adobe Spark pages shared on the library's Instagram
Limitations of Adobe Spark
- Some accessibility options are not currently built in to the platform, such as alt text. While other aspects of pages work with screen readers, users will need to add image descriptions or captions.
- Formatting and design options are limited to pre-set configurations with little ability to customize.
- Editing uploaded photos is not available in the platform and must be done with external tools.
Image description: A road sign that says "dead end".
Using Adobe Spark to Promote Library Resources
Initially, Adobe Spark pages were used as virtual stand-ins for book displays and as a simple way to engage users during times of rapid change. Over the last year, librarians have been experimenting with and expanding their use.
Virtual Book Displays
One of the first applications for this tool was to replicate our physical book displays in a virtual environment. We started by promoting strictly digital resources while our building was closed. As we opened up for in-person services, we started adding physical books to our displays. Virtual book displays have allowed us to easily share resources with our patrons and will likely be a permanent addition to our services.
Examples:
- Awesome (e)Audiobooks by Librarian Hannah Carlton
- Women's History by Librarian Jessica Luetger
Image description: A book cart displaying books about voting. This was one of our last displays before the library closed in March 2020.
Research and Resource Guides
MVCC Library does not use the popular LibGuides format to create subject and research guides. While experimenting with different platforms, we found Adobe Spark to be a great tool for creating visually engaging guides. The ability to add internal links makes them easy for students to navigate.
Examples:
- Gender and Sexuality Research and Resource Guide by Librarian Jessica Luetger
- How to Hoopla by Librarian Marie Martino
Image description: A laptop on a table
Events
MVCC Library has a long history of hosting public events, and Adobe Spark pages have been well suited to serve as stand-ins for physical displays and ways to promote recorded events.
Examples:
To replace our annual on-campus display of the works of MVCC authors, librarians turned to Adobe Spark as a stand-in:
- 2021 MVCC Authors Display by Librarian Kelly Hand, and ILL Specialist Sue Yach. (Accessibility Note: some parts of this display may not be fully accessible to screen readers)
Many Library events in the past year have been recorded webinars shared on the library's YouTube channel. This makes them easy to add to an Adobe Spark page, allowing us to share events and relevant library resources in one place.
- The Divided States of America Event by Jessica Luetger.
Image description: A photo from a pre-pandemic library event
Impacts
- On average, displays get between 80-250 views. One of the most popular displays received over 700 views!
- Reception from outside the library has been positive.
- Even though there was some general "new tech fatigue" noted among staff, there was increased and sustained interest for learning Adobe Spark.
- Displays have been made by librarians and staff members in almost all departments of the library and there is continued interest among staff in their use one year later. They have been great for engaging staff as well as patrons!
Image description: A collage of some of our most viewed Adobe Spark pages.
Image description: Wood blocks with letters spelling "thanks"
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References:
Adobe (2019) Adobe Spark 2019 Accessibility Conformance Report. https://www.adobe.com/accessibility/compliance/adobe-spark-webapp-2019-acr.html
Adobe (n.d.) Features. https://spark.adobe.com/features.
Last Updated 4/21 JL
Credits:
Created with images by 1954712 - "sparkler spark holiday" • chefkeem - "dead end street sign road" • Engin_Akyurt - "coffee caffeine beverage" • Wokandapix - "thanks word letters"