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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
