The last month has been filled with many new ideas as well as some reinforcing of pre-existing ideas. I was pleasantly surprised to read other people’s blogs and find that the same topics could take us in so many different directions but that we usually arrived at similar conclusions! Following are some of my take-aways from the past few weeks of exploration.
1) Getting kids to love reading is simple.
Get interesting books into the hands of students and they will develop a love of reading on their own. This seems fairly simple, and it is an oversimplified statement. Reading levels matter and there still needs to be explicit reading strategy instruction. However, the biggest push in the right direction is for kids to discover the joy of reading. To accomplish this we must get interesting (to them!) books into their hands and model our own love of reading.
2) Working together makes us stronger.
This is an idea I’ve encountered many times during the course of my studies, being close to finishing the teacher-librarian diploma. But the fact that it keeps coming up just reinforces the importance of positive working relationships and collaboration with colleagues. Beyond that it is important for teachers (be they classroom or non-enrolling) to take on leadership and professional development responsibilities in the school and beyond.
3) Libraries around the world are more important than ever.
Nobody needs to worry about libraries becoming irrelevant as long as they are keeping up with the needs of their patrons, and it seems that they are. Now more than ever they are so important in bridging the economic and digital divide. Internet access is almost a life necessity these days and yet it can be prohibitively expensive for some households. We perceive North American countries as “have” nations, but there is a good portion of the population living beneath the poverty line with no hope of getting ahead without being able to do online training or apply for jobs over the internet.
Libraries in developing countries are also providing access to relevant reading materials and internet. I have learned a lot about school libraries in this program, but stretching my thinking and research to public libraries has been eye-opening. For example, I had no idea the prevalence of mobile phones in developing nations. Simply having access to a mobile phone can go a long way in connecting people to resources.
I’m going to sign-off with a video I found called “Do We Still Need Libraries?” (2019). It’s a fun watch as it goes through the history of the library, ending on current relevance. One point made at the end of the video was that some people are calling for public libraries to be open late like restaurants and bars to give people a social space where they don’t have to drink or spend money. In the town where I live there’s a cafe/bar that caters to board game lovers. They have hundreds of board games on the shelves and for $5/person you can play as many games as you want for as long as you like. Mere blocks away is the public library. They also have board games, probably upwards of 50 of the most popular games, that patrons can play for as long as they like...for free. They’ll even let you bring in your snacks and (non-alcoholic) beverages as long as you are respectful of the space. It would seem that our libraries are paying close attention to the needs and wants of the 21st century patron.
Works Cited
Origin of Everything (2019, June 18). Do We Still Need Libraries? [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zfhvDhnA5U
Good reflection on the really big take-aways you have found through our inquiry together. You did a good job of describing and discussing the different topics of the last 4 weeks and some suggestions and advice for moving forward with better library services and expanded community support. A few more specific highlights, connections to your fellow group members, or even discussion of some challenges would be an even better reflection. Overall, a good look back at how far you've come.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I really enjoyed the video you shared - I'm surprised I haven't come across it yet. I'm definitely going to save it to pass onto those library-skeptics... and check out the other videos by this poster! I really loved the way she broke down the history and future of libraries. I'm interested to see what other things she explains.
ReplyDeleteI like What the video said about libraries staying open late for people to gather in... I've actually attended some free movie screenings at libraries in the past - The Vancouver Public Library would sometimes screen documentaries and have the documentary maker available to questions after. I thought this was a cool leanring initiative (and, as you pointed out, a free social activity for people to engage in). I feel that the millennial and gen Z generations are pretty bookish, and would very much welcome late night library hangouts. Maybe this is another step in the future of libraries.
Slightly related - I know some larger city libraries will have museum displays free for the public - I once visited an incredible exhibit on the history of childrens literature at the New York City Public Library - wouldn't it be amazing if libraries and museums collaborated in this way?
-Kelli
A really well put together video you shared, thanks:)
ReplyDeleteI go to the local library about once every two weeks and it's always busy. I too think that late night hangouts would be well received. I know that our public library has at least one yearly event where teens are invited in late into the evening while it's closed to the general public-special activities are set up that are geared specifically for their age/book interests. Maybe more theme events like this would be good..I know I would have enjoyed that. The social/community message mentioned in the video is active in spaces like the library.
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny that once you do the research, it seems so simple to help kids love reading - make it fun and interesting, and model our own love of reading! As a TL, I can make a difference by making sure everyone has heard this message!
And yet in practice there are so many factors and players that it becomes much more complicated. It fits into your next point of working together. Having the TL, teacher, parents, and students all working together and on the same page greatly increase the chances of making students life-long readers.
Perhaps that’s another reason libraries are so important in schools - the TL has the expertise and does the research and can spread that information to others. This inquiry, together with the literacy Wednesday’s I’ve been attending, have really motivated me to increase the amount of time I spend exploring new ideas and researching the ideas behind my teaching practices. A little time learning is making my job much more interesting and (hopefully) my pedagogy more effective.
That’s an interesting video too! I can see how we are still in the process of evolving libraries to meet the needs of patrons and communities. Thanks for sharing.