Hello Friends! We have some exciting news to share. The ALSC Digital Media Resources page has been updated.
This list, created and updated annually by the ALSC Children and Technology Committee, curates current digital and tech articles, blog posts, and websites impacting the youth services field. This year we’ve added some new categories–media mentorship and podcast advisory–and updated recommendations on the familiar topics of children’s eBooks and apps, early learning, and research. Each section’s resources are selected with focused attention on the interactions of children and technology.
Here’s a sampling of the Children and Technology Committee member’s favorite resources:
- “Media Literacy in Early Childhood Report Framework, Child Development Guidelines, and Tips for Implementation”
Association for Library Service to Children partnered with the TEC Center at the Erikson Institute, the National Association for Media Literacy Education, and the Association of Children’s Museums to put together this framework and report, with funds through the Institute for Museum and Library Services. For library practitioners, its insights into the ages of early childhood and how to incorporate media literacy–called Child Development 101–are particularly useful in a library setting. They could be used when one needs talking points for parents or when one is putting together early literacy or family programming. –Anne Bensfield
- What is a media mentor?
This is a great example of media mentorship in action by the Scarborough Public Library in Maine. The library’s Youth Services Manager published this article in the local paper, introducing families to the librarian’s role as media mentor and providing suggestions and resources for meaningful media engagement. Sharing this information through a non-library channel ensures that it reaches a wider audience and creates greater awareness about youth librarians’ expertise in children’s media use. Pairing an orientation to media mentorship with specific tips and ideas is an effective way to illustrate the kinds of valuable conversations that families can expect when they engage with youth librarians about this topic. –Karen Wang
- Results of study Differences in Parent-Toddler Interactions With Electronic Versus Print Books
So many parents and caregivers inquire about evidence-based research – this is a fantastic study from AAP Publications and the University of Michigan to point to regarding electronic and print reading with very young readers. While the physical book does encourage more dialogic and collaborative reading, eBooks can uniquely enhance engagement – particularly with older readers. –Claire Moore/@cmooresalgado
- The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop: Advancing Children’s Learning in a Digital Age
Their mission says it all, they focus “on the challenges of educating children in a rapidly changing media landscape.” The Cooney Center conducts research and provides programs to aid students in 21st-century learning. –ak@bcpl
- Project Gutenberg Children’s Bookshelf
On New Year’s Day 2019, the number of works entering the public domain in the United States finally started growing again–after a 20-year hiatus. Every January 1 since, one more year’s worth of books, plays, songs, etc. have been added to the US public domain. Published works up to 1927 are now available, so this is a good time to visit Project Gutenberg Children’s Bookshelf and download a free Beatrix Potter or E. Nesbit eBook. –Tina Bartholoma
About the Author
Correction: This article was jointly written by members of the 2021-2022 the ALSC Children & Technology Committee. Tina Bartholoma, MLS, M.Ed., co-chair of the committee was the editor.
This blog addresses the following ALSC Core Competencies: II. Reference and Use Services and IV. Collection Knowledge and Management.