You may have heard the phrases, “Slow Parenting”, “Low-Tech Living”, or “Analog Living”. Whatever you decide to call it, the underlying trend is to have more screen-free experiences and unplugged moments. It’s not about removing devices and technology entirely. Instead, it’s creating healthy relationships with devices, which is an important skill to teach and model for children.
Category: Technology
Children’s Librarians and the Rise of AI: What Should We Be Thinking About?
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it’s already part of the everyday experiences of the children and families we serve. From voice assistants answering homework questions to AI-generated stories and learning apps, technology is reshaping how children access information, create content, and engage with the world. In fact, many children’s librarians are already encountering these tools through school assignments, reference questions, or conversations with caregivers. Tools like ChatGPT, which can generate text, stories, or answers to questions, and Microsoft Copilot, which assists with writing, data organization, and productivity across Word, show just how rapidly AI is integrating into learning spaces. Therefore, Children’s Librarians and AI is an important topic because for children’s librarians, this shift raises important questions. What role should we play in guiding children through this new landscape? Also, how can we support learning while maintaining ethical, thoughtful practices? Opportunities for Literacy and Learning AI offers exciting…
Privacy Literacy: Call for Feedback
This spring in “Beyond Passwords” I shared initial reflections from the Privacy Literacy Forum at Penn State. Since the forum, working groups have continued project efforts. Now that practitioner resources have been drafted, feedback is requested as part of the next steps in project development. Comments are open to feedback until January 2026 and will be followed by expert review. A critical 21st century skill, privacy literacy means understanding and making informed choices to manage personal information, and it’s a growing area of library instruction and programming for multiple age groups. Consensus around professional competencies in privacy literacy will contribute to a workforce that can meet this growing societal need. Drafted materials for review include Framework for Privacy Literacy, a Roadmap to Privacy Literacy Programming in the Library, and a Privacy Literacy Self-Study Guidebook. Forum proceedings will be published and made available with open access via the forum repository, and…
Tech Titles – Picture Books
Youth use technology all the time. But library workers can do more than help young patrons navigate new tech. With a professional knowledge of privacy, digital security, media literacy, and digital safety in mind, the tech savvy library workers offer may go beyond basic skills to build meaningful conversation and instruction. Real Talk About Kids and Technology from the ALSC Children and Technology committee introduces great information about usage rates by age group and what that implies in libraries. As children’s literature enthusiasts, we also know how important books are in creating opportunities for conversation about timely topics. Here are some of my favorite picture books that address youth tech and media literacy. Hooray for picture books that invite reflection and analysis on thes timely topics! Youth spend a lot of time on screens and online for learning, recreation, and socializing, and that’s probably not going to stop, but library…
Getting Ready for the Future: Teaching AI in the Library
AI is one of the most discussed and most complicated topics in library circles. Some librarians are very excited about the rise of AI. IdaMae Craddock of the Community Lab School (VA) made a great list of new AI tools to help at work. As a librarian, you may find Canva’s Magic Design tools helpful when creating posters and flyers. Other librarians are concerned about how AI will impact the authors and illustrators we love. Some have even noticed a rise in low quality ebooks created by AI appearing in library catalogs. The Pima County Public Library (AZ) created a great guide for patrons on how to spot these titles. Too often, the debate on AI focuses on adults, while kids are left out of the conversation. AI is a powerful new technology, and whether you like it or not, it is here to stay. It’s important that the patrons…
The Great AI Debate: Digital Artwork and Graphic Design
It feels like all avenues of technology now have been infiltrated by some form of artificial intelligence (AI). It is pervasive in our world – phones and computers have it installed either right out of the box or developers add it with software updates, websites employ AI for their content or their searches, and we have now seen it be added to art and design tools like Procreate or Canva. This can present an issue for children (and adults!) who do not understand the nuances of AI and the effect it is currently having on the creative world.
Make a Difference with Web Accessibility: Adding PDF Accessibility Tags
As youth librarians, we want our services to be accessible to all of our patrons. We use visual schedules in our programs, and provide patrons with access to accessible technology. Our websites should be accessible, too. Depending on how your library controls its website, you may even have a built-in accessibility checker to make sure each webpage meets accessibility standards.
Staying Safer on Social Media: Suggestions for Media Mentors
As library professionals, we are uniquely positioned to support youth and their families by fostering media literacy and providing guidance for safer digital engagement. In this post, you’ll find three actionable recommendations to help families create safer social media experiences for young users.