Today, we hosted the 5th annual K-16 Librarians workshop at the Schlow Library. The workshop is just one piece of the Central Pennsylvania K-16 Information Literacy Network (which I've written about before). Essentially, the annual workshop is a fun opportunity to get together with area school, public and academic library colleagues to discuss shared issues. It is always one of my favorite events of the year.
At past workshops, we've focused on more pedagogical or information literacy-related topics. This year (at the request of the librarians) we devoted the entire workshop to exploring the use of 2.0 technologies in libraries.
Emily Rimland presented on the use of blogs and wikis in libraries, using clickers in her presentation. A number of librarians were using blogs for a variety of purposes, including reading recommendations (with student reviews). Karla Schmit brought a display of award-winning children's books (including the Baker's Dozen books) and highlighted the Pennsylvania Center for the Book initiatives. Anne Behler shared her Kindle 2 and Sony Reader devices with the group, comparing the tools and detailing the Libraries' Sony Reader project. Chris Stubbs led a great discussion on gaming in education (more public librarians are featuring year-round gaming programs than you'd think!).
At lunch, I sat with two public librarians who shared some of the new tech initiatives they've started in their respective libraries. One library had a Ning network for area parents. What a terrific idea this is---such an easy way for local parents to connect and exchange ideas and information. She also wanted to talk about the benefits of Twitter. A patron who she helped with an information need offered to set up some new social web tools for the library. He created a Twitter account for the library, and made a flyer for a library haiku contest (using hashtags, even!) for the library's new Twitter account. So cool!
I don't have any pictures from the event available yet, but they'll be up soon. Today was
everything that I hoped our Network could be ---a positive environment for local librarians to share new ideas that impact all levels of education. Thanks to our presenters, and to everyone who participated!
At past workshops, we've focused on more pedagogical or information literacy-related topics. This year (at the request of the librarians) we devoted the entire workshop to exploring the use of 2.0 technologies in libraries.
Emily Rimland presented on the use of blogs and wikis in libraries, using clickers in her presentation. A number of librarians were using blogs for a variety of purposes, including reading recommendations (with student reviews). Karla Schmit brought a display of award-winning children's books (including the Baker's Dozen books) and highlighted the Pennsylvania Center for the Book initiatives. Anne Behler shared her Kindle 2 and Sony Reader devices with the group, comparing the tools and detailing the Libraries' Sony Reader project. Chris Stubbs led a great discussion on gaming in education (more public librarians are featuring year-round gaming programs than you'd think!).
At lunch, I sat with two public librarians who shared some of the new tech initiatives they've started in their respective libraries. One library had a Ning network for area parents. What a terrific idea this is---such an easy way for local parents to connect and exchange ideas and information. She also wanted to talk about the benefits of Twitter. A patron who she helped with an information need offered to set up some new social web tools for the library. He created a Twitter account for the library, and made a flyer for a library haiku contest (using hashtags, even!) for the library's new Twitter account. So cool!
I don't have any pictures from the event available yet, but they'll be up soon. Today was
everything that I hoped our Network could be ---a positive environment for local librarians to share new ideas that impact all levels of education. Thanks to our presenters, and to everyone who participated!
Cool! You should promote this more in the Libraries. Have you or would you want engagement by parents who are also librarians in the future?
John--
Absolutely--anyone in the Libraries is welcome to attend! The workshops are actually a great way for parent /librarians to connect with area educators (although my daughter's school librarian has yet to attend one of our workshops). :)