Tinkering Towards Transformation

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Tinkering Towards TransformationMelissa Techman, MLS, K-5 Librarian, Broadus Wood Elem, Albemarle Co, VA

Take note – some BIG changes!

Brainstorming initial steps to a cheerful, more functional space.

Weeding and removing 1/3 of NF shelving opened up needed space.

This long range was remove.

In the presence of…

Sometimes the assets of the library are not the main focus, they’re the backdrop.

Hosting inviting events in the presence of books can send a subtle message to users.

Don’t assume that everyone is comfortable in public learning spaces.

Flexible spaces produce unexpected activities

• Lots of negotiation when you have more open spaces – and that's OK.

• You want a balance between the open and the private, big and small spaces.

• Concerns about open spaces and maker spaces can echo/parallel the fears parents and community have of online activities.

Dull and crowded is never a good look.

Space for gathering.

Cheap and cheerful – it never hurts to ask!

Corporate kindness and retail as a source of design inspiration

http://rosemarywashington.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/img_3954.jpghttp://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v419/trical/blog/?action=view&current=tree-1.jpg

From carrels to reading “caves” to ?

What’s different when you have flexible user-centered spaces?

Consideration of not-obviously juvenile titles

Modified Daily 5 in the library

Daily 5 – Reference work

Keywords, databases, choosing websites to put on symbaloo, making screencasts, using print and online sources, nonfiction text features and structures – endless ideas for activities.

Blogging, storytelling and interviewing: activities that subtly pull in readers.

Cuteable.com

Afterschool ebook-making club

Using Gdocs drawing tool for making a graphic novel ebook

Export in useful formats, add to local collections.

Students make things teachers can use.

Lunch bunch – comparing IPEVO to ELMO’s

Consideration consulting group

Thurs, Fri lunch groups

Peer teaching: SCRATCH, Google Forms, Google Earth, PhotopeachMulti-age activities: blog interviews, Google Earth, reading buddies

Google Earth lunch learning session

This site models retelling and reviews using different online tools. A great idea for student projects – make tool choice explicit.

All of the above, not “this format only”. Hands-on means different things to different people.

Hosting tech DIY activities, supporting flexible learning and production.

Huge interest in Minecraft and coding

How does all this help with advocacy?

• Every student who makes “stuff” has a parent who has warmer feelings about the library

• Volunteers, visitors, parents, community members see the value of information literacy and user-centered activities

• Readers want to feel valued

• Who’s on your “Yes, I’ll stand up for libraries!” email list?

Car duty is a chance to connect

Core values

• Centrality of the reader

• Library as community hub

• Constructivist learning

• Real-world and global connections

• Choice

• Conscious tool using and customizing

• A caring, responsive place

Headlines from the murky world of ebooks

“Does anyone know of any free ebooks that can be used as primary sources for 5th grade social studies. My district recently purchased a class set of Kindles, but did not budget for content purchases.”

…”publisher policies continue to make many popular titles unavailable.”

“85 percent of ebook borrowers said that they had used their library to discover new writers or try out new genres.” http://bit.ly/QBR4tv

Inspirations/Invitations

West Seattle Fixer’s Collective

Seen on Pinterest (thx to West Seattle Tool Library)

Erin DalyMinecraftwith teens

Wes FryerEbooks, edtech in K12 schools

Liz CastroEbook consultant

SLJ Ebook Summit panel: Maker Culture in Libraries

What I want to try next

• A way to make mistakes more publicly

• Student-run media literacy station

• How to extend services outside?

Contact me!

• Twitter, Diigo, Pinterest: mtechman

• Blog: http://mtechman.wordpress.com/

• Email: [email protected]