The West Chester Public Library occupies its current home in a 1888 historical building in West Chester, PA but this library is full of modern opportunities for engaged reading and learning.
Since I recently accepted a position as a library assistant I want to explore some of the ways our public library supports engaged learning. We see many students who come to the library a few times per week and some come everyday. This is a great opportunity to provide support for these students and engage them in learning.
"Today's workplaces and communities- and tomorrow's- have tougher requirements than ever before. They need citizens who can think critically and strategically to solve problems. These individuals must learn in a rapidly changing environment, and build knowledge taken from numerous sources and different perspectives. They must understand in diverse contexts, and collaborate locally and around the globe." (1995. Jones, B.F..et.al.p.5.) There are many expectations put on students from teachers and parents. I think it is important to take advantage of outside support, such as a public library, to provide students with varieties of information and work with others in activities outside their school setting.
In our children's department we embark on technological literacy by providing computer games on colorful computers that are easy for our young patrons to use. Since these young patrons are "growing up digital"(2001. Johnston & Cooley. p.11) it is important that they are provided with fun educational technology; in this example it is in educational games.
Also in the children's department there are games in which the children must read a clue and go to the computer catalog and find where the answer to the clue is hidden. For example this week the clue is fish. the patron must go to the catalog and look up where they can find books about fish. Once they find the proper call numbers they go to the shelves and look for the clue. Since the these is space they are looking for a little space man that has a code word in his space pack. Once the child finds the clue they bring it to us and they get space dollars which can be redeemed for prizes. This is another example of engaging learners using technology and traditional searching skills to complete their task.
We also have a myspace page for teens http://www.myspace.com/wcplteens
a page on facebook designated for teens http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Chester-PA/West-Chester-Public-Library-Teens/12192610691
a blog for adultshttp://wcpubliclibrary.blogspot.com/
and WC Public library twitts at http://twitter.com/wcpl_teens
All of these forums are publicized in the library and connect our patrons to technology. Young adults can connect with each other, find out about events happening in the library that they are interested in as well as comment on postings. Adults can view the blog to keep up with happenings in the library, connect and comment on that is happening. These are all great examples of keeping everyone connected but also engaging our patrons, young and old, in learning and exploring through technology.
Citations
Johnston, M. and Cooley, N. (2001). What we know about: supporting new models of teaching
and learning through technology. Educational Research Service. Arlington, VA.
Jones, B.F., G. Valdez, J. Nowakowski, and C. Rausmussen. 1995. Plugging in: choosing and using
educational technology (Ed talk series). Washington DC: Council for Educational
Development and Research, and Napercille, IL; North Central Regional Educational
Laboratory. Online: www.ncrel.org/sdrs/edtalk/tic.htm
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