Libraries and Literacy in the 21 st Century. Institute of Museum and Library Services Nation of Leaders Demonstration Grant November 2008 – June 2010.

Libraries and Literacy in the 21st Century

Institute of Museum and Library ServicesNation of Leaders Demonstration Grant

November 2008 – June 2010NLG-07-08-0113

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

What does it take for a public library to offer

technology-based programs for youth?

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?

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

InfrastructureHardware: – 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?

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

What’s new in the 21st Century?

• Learning and Innovation

• Information, Media, Technology

• Life and Careers Skills

From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Learning and Innovation

• Critical thinking and Problem Solving

• Creativity and Innovation

• Communication and Collaboration

From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Information Media and Technology

• Information Literacy

• Media Literacy

• Information and Communication Technology Literacy (ICT)

From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

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

Another Approach

• Digital Age Literacy

– Technology, multi-cultural, Visual

• Inventive Thinking

• Effective Communication

• High Productivity

From enGauge 21st Century Skills

Digital Age

• Reading and Writing

• Math and Science

• Technology

• Visual and information

• Global Awareness/Multi-cultural

From enGauge 21st Century Skills

Inventive Thinking

• Adaptability

• Self Direction

• Manage Complexity

• Curiousity, risk taking, creativity

• Higher order thinking/sound reasoning

From enGauge 21st Century Skills

Effective Communication

• Teams & collaboration

• Interpersonal skills

• Personal, social and civic responsibility

• Interactive Communication

From enGauge 21st Century Skills

High Productivity

• Prioritize, plan and manage for results

• Effective use of real world tools

• Relevant and High Quality Products

From enGauge 21st Century Skills

21st Century Learners

• Global Awareness

• Expectation of participation

• Collaborative learning/discovery

• Higher order thinking

• Varied learning styles

From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Where do libraries belong?

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

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’

Building 21st Century Skills

Many activities can contribute toward building 21st century skills in youth

Technology Classes

Homework Tutoring

Gaming Clubs

Youth Advisory Groups

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?

Our work-in-progress solution

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

Space and Tools

• Laptops

• Flexible space

• Selected gadgets

Quality Learning Environments

• Caring and nurturing relationships

• Engaging activities

• High expectations

• Continuity over time

• Opportunities for contributions

• Intentionality about learning

Software

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

Staff

Passionate Risk Takers

Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember, amateurs built

the ark; professionals built the Titanic. 

Author Unknown

Staff who

demonstrate the 21st century literacy attributes we hope to instill in youth

•Flexibility

•Adaptability

•Higher order thinking

•Complex problem solving

Kids with Ideas

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

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.

Project Documentation

Scratch

• Check out projects and download software

ScratchEd

• Collaborative guide for educators using Scratch

Media MashUp

• Project newsletters, presentations and reports

Jennifer Nelson

Project Manager

[email protected]

952-847-8664