Hello! My name is Michael Charney, and I’m a digital media specialist, instructional designer/technologist, and librarian passionate about leveraging technology to enhance both organizational strategies and individual engagement. With a Master’s in Library and Information Science and a background in media design, I focus on blending creativity and technology to create accessible, innovative, and comprehensive digital strategies that not only address immediate needs but also build long-term systems for growth and engagement.
Finding a Voice Through Technology
As a child, I was a shy, awkward kid struggling with several developmental problems. Chief among them was my dysgraphia—my weakened fine motor skills made writing legible and for extended periods painful. Because of this, I struggled in school and it damaged what little confidence I had in my own personal voice.
Fortunately, I found my salvation through technology. My elementary school had a program in place that gave me access to an Alphasmart, a portable word processor that I could use in place of relying on my handwriting. I took to the little device like a fish takes to water as I finally had an avenue to express myself in a way that felt natural to me! Not only did I start to succeed in class, building the foundation that allowed me to succeed in getting my master’s degree, but it also gave me the chance to find that I enjoyed writing. What had once been short and frustrated scrawling on paper turned into reams and reams of typed notes, assignments, and creative endeavors.
This early experience opened the door to an exploration of the digital world. My computer quickly became my playground. In cyberspace, I came out of my shell as I connected with others who shared my passions. I joined vibrant online communities, from fans of multiple media fandoms to classic movie enthusiasts and collaborative gaming projects. Along the way, I became the go-to tech support for friends and family, refined my skills with hardware and software, and taught myself non-linear editing and motion graphics, first with Windows Movie Maker and later Adobe Premiere, Illustrator, and After Effects.
Over time, my passions transformed into professional skills. My experiences included creating marketing and educational media, providing technical support, and helping organizations enhance their digital strategies. These skills were further honed while pursuing my bachelor’s in film from the University of California at Davis and, more recently, my master’s in library and information science from San Jose State University. Currently, I’m working on developing an asynchronous training video for the Napa Valley Library’s tutor program so that their volunteers have the flexibility to learn on their own schedules.
From Passion to Profession
In my academic and professional journey, I have consistently sought ways to harness technology to break down barriers and foster inclusivity:
Instructional Design: Collaborated with my mother, an elementary art teacher, to adapt her lessons into instructional videos during the pandemic, ensuring her students could continue their creative growth despite challenges.
Digital Literacy: During my internship with Santa Cruz Public Libraries, I created tech literacy videos, taught workshops on topics like avoiding digital scams, and introduced patrons to the library’s digital services.
Asynchronous Learning: Currently developing training videos for Napa Valley Library’s tutor program, providing volunteers the flexibility to learn on their own schedules.
The Transformative Power of Technology
My personal journey has shown me how technology can unlock potential and transform lives. I’m particularly passionate about making digital tools accessible for individuals who face barriers in traditional systems. By creating intuitive systems and resources, I aim to empower people to thrive in an increasingly digital world. For me I see this as a way to pay it forward.
If my passion hasn't come through in these examples, I hope the work showcased in this website’s portfolio will. I've organized it into categories such as Video Production, Instructional Design, User Experience Design, Digital Strategy, Technological Integration, and my Academic Projects and Other Writings. I hope this makes it easier for you to find the relevant pieces that highlight my skills and demonstrate why I would be an asset to your organization.