In public libraries, technology support sometimes moves through a relay. Parents sometimes ask on behalf of children. Adult children may ask for parents. Caregivers may carry steps home for later, while staff members may prepare colleagues for the next patron. When the question involves accessibility, access depends on a setting someone can use and an explanation someone can repeat.
Tag: public libraries
#ALAAC26: Dr. Jill Biden and the Door Before the Answer
Dr. Jill Biden’s ALA Annual conversation offered a youth-services reminder. A young person may need the library before feeling ready to enter.
#ALAAC26: DigitalLearn Reborn and the Path from Completion to Contribution
Digital confidence grows through repeated practice. During the “PLA Update: DigitalLearn Reborn!” session, Michelle Frisque, ALA Broadband Consultant, introduced the relaunched DigitalLearn.org. DigitalLearn is PLA’s free digital literacy resource for learners and trainers in English and Spanish.
Windows, Mirrors, and Doors in Play
Just as stories provide mirrors, windows, and sliding doors for folks – toys can too! Being intentional with the items we place in our public spaces makes our spaces more engaging. Being creative with our toys and play spaces also helps us make our limited budgets go further. One way we’re being intentional within our library play space is through our doll play. We were able to purchase the “Play-All-Around Dollhouse,” furniture, and “Lakeshore Block Play People – Complete Set” from Lakeshore Learning for our children’s area. We elected to withhold the furniture pieces that were choking hazards and only put out what fit easily within the rooms. This also means a little less to clean up. Please note, this is not an advertisement for Lakeshore; I simply find their toys made well for long-lasting play. For the dolls, we chose 34 of the people to create 12 families. Some…
Reading Together: Partnerships with Purpose
I work at the University of South Carolina, and we are proud to be the home of Cocky’s Reading Express (CRE). CRE started in 2005 as a week-long student government project. The School of Information Science adopted the program and it continues to this day. This statewide literacy outreach initiative brings college student volunteers and USC’s mascot, Cocky, to elementary schools across South Carolina. Students hear stories read aloud and receive free books to build their home libraries. During my time at USC and previously, as a school librarian, I’ve noticed that K–12 students, especially those in elementary school, love visits from college students. Reading partnership examples School and public libraries and universities have a lot to offer one another and across the country, libraries and universities are teaming up to ignite a love of reading in children. Whether through mascot-led read-alouds, themed literacy camps, or mobile book deliveries, these…
PLA Visitors: Welcome to Columbus Libraries!
Are you attending the 2024 Public Library Association Conference? I might just see you there! Welcome to Columbus, Ohio – the 14th most populous city in the United States. We might be pretty well known for the Ohio State University’s football team – but we are also home to some pretty incredible library systems. While visiting (or while following along from home!) learn about some of the various libraries filling Columbus and the surrounding suburbs: And more! With just a bit longer drive, you can also visit Alexandria Public Library, Fairfield County District Library, Granville Public Library, London Public Library, Marysville Public Library, Pataskala Public Library, Pickaway County District Library, Plain City Public Library, and the Wagnalls Memorial Library. I like to leave conferences with pictures and tangible ideas of things I can replicate at home – and what better way to do that than visiting our area libraries while…
Children’s Makerspaces in Public Libraries
In the last several decades, the landscape of public libraries changed from what one might consider a stereotypical book storehouse to an eclectic gathering space not just for materials, but for people. To remain relevant in their communities, public libraries adapted to this shift in focus, working to provide more versatile and technological resources for their community members. One trend in particular that has sprung from this change is the concept of makerspaces. A relatively young concept as far as technology goes, this idea has taken root and managed to establish itself in libraries across the country. It is believed that the concept of “making” was first discussed in 2005, as part of an article in Make – a magazine that published information regarding maker projects. Since then, many libraries have taken the steps to build their own makerspaces filled with different types of technology. At the very least, most…
Librarians on the Front Lines
Sadly, it was not surprising in late August when USA Today ran a headline calling librarians the “perfect target” for those who would ban books from schools. Librarians are often the purchasers of materials and the people to suggest and connect students with books of interest. Of course, they—we—would be under attack from those who would limit access to information of which censors do not approve.