Libraries and Literacy in the 21 st Century

1. Libraries and Literacy in the 21st Century

2. Institute of Museum and Library Services Nation of Leaders Demonstration Grant November 2008 – June 2010 NLG-07-08-0113

3. The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. Alvin Toffler

4. What does it take for a public library to offer technology-based programs for youth?

5. Rethinking Libraries • Do our programs respond to emerging needs of youth in 21st Century society? • How do we support staff in developing new skills? • Do our administrative policies and practices support new programs, especially those that involve technology?

6. 21st Century Literacy • Recognizes – that we live in a global world • Includes – but moves beyond, reading and writing, math and science • Acknowledges – that communication and production tools have changed • Moves beyond reading & writing, math & science

7. Infrastructure Hardware: • How do we balance demand for public access computing with technology based programming? • What is the ‘right’ hardware? Software: • How do we distribute and manage access? • What can we afford to purchase? To update? Space: • What kind of space and room set up creates the best learning environment?

8. 21st Century Themes • Global Awareness – enhanced with 21st century tools & collaborative learning • Financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy – making responsible choices • Civic literacy – decision making and knowledge • Health literacy – understand and monitor • Environmental literacy – awareness

9. What’s new in the 21st Century? • Learning and Innovation • Information, Media, Technology • Life and Careers Skills From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

10. Learning and Innovation • Critical thinking and Problem Solving • Creativity and Innovation • Communication and Collaboration From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

11. Information Media and Technology • Information Literacy • Media Literacy • Information and Communication Technology Literacy (ICT) From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

12. Life and Career Skills • Flexibility and adaptability • Initiative and self-direction • Social and cross cultural skills • Productivity and accountability • Leadership and responsibility From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

13. Another Approach • Digital Age Literacy • Technology, multi-cultural, Visual • Inventive Thinking • Effective Communication • High Productivity From enGauge 21st Century Skills

14. Digital Age • Reading and Writing • Math and Science • Technology • Visual and information • Global Awareness/Multi-cultural From enGauge 21st Century Skills

15. Inventive Thinking • Adaptability • Self Direction • Manage Complexity • Curiousity, risk taking, creativity • Higher order thinking/sound reasoning From enGauge 21st Century Skills

16. Effective Communication • Teams & collaboration • Interpersonal skills • Personal, social and civic responsibility • Interactive Communication From enGauge 21st Century Skills

17. High Productivity • Prioritize, plan and manage for results • Effective use of real world tools • Relevant and High Quality Products From enGauge 21st Century Skills

18. 21st Century Learners • Global Awareness • Expectation of participation • Collaborative learning/discovery • Higher order thinking • Varied learning styles From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

19. Where do libraries belong?

20. 21st Century Public Library • Space, staff, resources all devoted to learners and literacy • Primary agency for informal learning in any community • Traditional role in providing Out of School Time activities

21. Out of School Time = Informal Learning Time • Challenging environment - drop in nature of programming • No guarantee of what learners bring in to the activity • No mandates for performance, no sanctions for ‘failure’

22. Building 21st Century Skills Many activities can contribute toward building 21st century skills in youth Technology Classes Homework Tutoring Gaming Clubs Youth Advisory Groups

23. Staff Skills:Are all staff required to offer programs? Do we rely on new staff? Does it have to be librarians? Training: How do we provide training for staff? What can we support? Time:How do we balance priorities and ‘desk time’ with programming time?

24. Our work-in-progress solution

25. Innovation • Managers support staff in taking risks • Staff involved in professional organizations • Technology skills/interests of staff • Innovations don’t require extra funding • Culture of creativity • Managers accept that innovation is a process and can be messy

26. Space and Tools • Laptops • Flexible space • Selected gadgets

27. Quality Learning Environments • Caring and nurturing relationships • Engaging activities • High expectations • Continuity over time • Opportunities for contributions • Intentionality about learning

28. Software • Developed by LifeLong Kindergarten Lab at MIT • Constructionist learning philosophy • Awareness of developmental needs of kids • Free

30. Staff

31. Passionate Risk Takers Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. Author Unknown

32. demonstrate the 21st century literacy attributes we hope to instill in youth Flexibility Adaptability Higher order thinking Complex problem solving Staff who

33. Kids with Ideas

34. Resources 21st Century Skills • The Partnership for 21st Century Skills • Project Kaleidoscope • Literacy for the 21st Century - Center for Media Literacy • SLJ Summit - Librarians as Leaders of 21st Century Learning • IMLS 21st Century Museums and Libraries • 21st Century Skills – Metri Group

35. Resources Learning Styles • What’s your learning style?Brief guide to learning styles • What’s YOUR learning style?Short online quiz to help you determine your primary style • Index of learning styles:Comprehensive guide to information including an online questionnaire and peer reviewed literature. • VARK A guide to learning styles:Includes questionnaire for self-assessment.

36. Project Documentation Scratch • Check out projects and download software ScratchEd • Collaborative guide for educators using Scratch

37. Media MashUp Project newsletters, presentations and reports