What is the EdHub? A 21st century learning commons

Posted by: Megan Enger

APA Citation: 

Boss, S. (2017, December 7). A small town school embraces a big vision. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/small-town-school-embraces-big-vision/

Summary: This Edutopia resource explains how Superintendent Buddy Barry transformed a high school with declining enrollment in Eminence, Kentucky: by identifying the needs of a 21st century learner, he helped create the “EdHub” and transform not only enrollment numbers but the whole community. A nickel tax raised $6 million dollars and renovated the entire building to look more like Google’s headquarters than a traditional high school. Materials for student checkouts still include books, but also power tools and robotics equipment. There are eight makerspaces and opportunities for dual enrollment through the local community college. This article also includes three embedded videos showing the EdHub in action and with testimonials from students, teachers, and administrators; one video gives an overview of the space, another focuses on the Early College Program, and another showcases a hands-on learning project.

Evaluation: This article is a fantastic starting place for those interested in learning about the EdHub. It comes from a reputable source and succinctly explains how Buddy Barry accomplished such a transformation. The videos are a nice bonus that clearly illustrate the community impact. Even schools with small footprints and smaller budgets will be inspired by the EdHub–it asks us all to reconsider how the library can still be the hub of the school and envisions a 21st century learning commons to best serve student needs. Those wanting to learn more about the EdHub should check out their website, especially for Eminence’s mini-credential program that is structured like merit badges (earned when students demonstrate competency in things like 3D printing and stop motion). Additionally, Dr. Loertscher interviewed the EdHub’s librarian and an ELA teacher turned “integration specialist” who speak to the value of having a dedicated staff supporting this community.

Library as Infrastructure

Summary:

In this article Shannon Mattern lays out a fascinating historical perspective of the development of physical attributes of a library and how they influence and are influenced by the media that they house.  She starts with Mevil Dewey’s influence on all aspects of the library in terms of not only the organization of materials (like the Dewey Decimal System) but also the physical apparati that we use to access information (like the original card catalog that we used to organize the metadata).  Mevil Dewey, among many things, was an entrepreneur that had his hands in everything and anything that had to do with information, including how we develop it, organize it, access it and distribute it.  

The author, Mattern, continues from this historical perspective toward our present day libraries addressing the question, ' what is the library and what is its purpose?’  We no longer have Mevil Dewey to guide the answers to these questions, but we do have many new players that influence the direction of the library as a concept.  Including David Weinberger, who suggested that the library should consider itself a ‘platform’ for the creation of knowledge.   Mattern has some issues with this concept and instead suggests that the library is not just a “two-dimensional” space for the creation of information but is rather a vastly more complex infrastructure that embodies all information in all of its forms.  

Starting from the assumption that the library is the physical and digital infrastructure of information, Mattern continues to support this concept in addressing two forms of infrastructure (social infrastructure and technological-intellectual infrastructure).  Through this lens she explains the library's role in developing the infrastructures that ultimately influences the community that the library serves.  

Why this article is valuable to me and why I think in may be valuable to you:

As a new student to LIS, I am constantly feeling (and hearing from professors) that the library is struggling to define itself in this information age.  Most (almost all?) information that used to be physically housed in a library is now housed digitally and can be accessed privately.  People used to go to the library for answers, now they can go to their computers.  So, I’m constantly asking, ‘what is the library? And why is it important in this new era?’  I think this article really helped me to understand or to at least have a vision of what the library is in this new world that we now live in.  

Reference:

  Mattern. (2014). Library as Infrastructure. Places (Cambridge, Mass.), 2014. https://doi.org/10.22269/140609

A Guide to Starting an ESports Program in your Public Library

Koster, A., & Haines, C. (2020). Esports, a guide for public libraries. Webjunction. https://www.webjunction.org/content/dam/WebJunction/Documents/webJunction/2020-08/EsportsGuidePublicLibraries.pdf

Summary:

This guide, created by two MLIS students, outlines in detail the Pottsboro Public Library’s successful Esports program, a term that refers to video games played competitively by scholastic, club, and professional teams.  Funding for 10 gaming computers, as well as a part-time project manager to supervise team business, came from an IMLS grant.  The library worked collaboratively with the local high school, a nearby college (whose Esports club members acted as mentors), and the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF). Important factors are covered such as technical requirements, how to record and share game footage, as well as privacy considerations. A glossary of terms for video game dummies (like myself) is included, along with suggested games for Esports, and numerous reading resources to educate oneself about the connection between gaming and literacy.

Evaluation:

For anyone knowledgeable about gaming, this provides a clear guide to creating a successful Esports program. Those less “techie” will need to share this information with someone who has more experience and can guide them in their endeavor. I appreciated that this guide also included suggestions for simpler ways that libraries can include gaming as part of their outreach to youth, since not every library will have the resources for such an involved program.  Unfortunately, no ideas were given on how to run such a program virtually during this time of covid closures, but libraries can be planning ahead for the time, hopefully in the near future, when library doors will be open and people of all ages will be eager for social interaction.

Young Adult Use of Ebooks

Gray, R. & Howard, V. (2017, May 11). Young adults use of ebooks: An analysis of public library services and resources. Public Library Quarterly 36(3). Retreived from https://doi-org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.1080/01616846.2017.1316149

In their survey of teen / young adult librarians across North America, Robyn Gray and Vivian Howard found that most librarians believe there is little to no interest in ebooks among the teen patrons they service at their libraries. However, these authors believe that the programming and promotion of ebooks is being done all wrong. Instead of focusing on advertising the titles and procedures for using the ebooks, libraries should be informing teenagers of the benefits of reading an ebook. Many teenagers are self-conscious about the types of books they read, or their reading level. By reading ebooks they can have more privacy, since their peers are not able to see the books they are reading. There are many advantages, and many disadvantages, to reading ebooks discussed in the books. However, one advantage that I can think of is the ability for students to immediately search for the definition of a word they do not understand, assisting in their vocabulary development and reading comprehension. There are many reasons that teenagers should have the option of ebooks in their accessible library collections.

The future of books in an academic library

The article Books and ebooks in an academic library discusses the perdictions the authors had about eBooks popularity in the future. The authors suggested that eBooks will become more popular by 2020 and will increase the number of academic libraries transitioning their collections to have more online materials than physical books. eBook purchases from academic libraries are increasing. The article also discusses the future of journal articles. Print articles are still continuing to be produced, however libraries and scholars are using a lot more electronic resources (Wells & Sallenbach, 2015). This has cause academic librarians to allocate their resources and use their budget to purchase more electronic resources and less physical materials.

I believe that electronic resources are becoming more popular, but they're are still a lot of people that prefer the physical copy of a book. Right now the academic library I work for is focusing their budget on electronic resources.

References

Wells, D. & Sallenbach, A. (2015) Books and ebooks in an academic library. 64:3, 168-179, DOI: 10.1080/00049670.2015.1041216

-Daly, Briana

The Practical Librarian's Guide to Collection Development

Parry, Lauren

Kalan, Abby Preschel. (2014). The practical librarian’s guide to collection development. 

Retrieved from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2014/05/20/the-practical-librarians-guide-to-

collection-development/

This article details a suburban, medium-sized public librarian’s shortcuts for collection development and the ways in which she has honed her skills over the years in her position. She starts with weeding and expands her guide into acquisition. She also includes a few ideas for marketing to patrons and potential patrons.

I appreciate that this librarian shared her shortcuts to collection development and maintenance. As a library science student, I’m often thinking about the “rules” and standards of overall collection development. It was refreshing to read a guide that adhered to these standards, but in a slightly more informal- yet practical- way. I also liked that Kalan didn’t dance around the more difficult topics. She addressed issues like funding, staying within budget, and the importance of catering to your library’s audience instead of choosing materials that suit your particular interest.

E-Books as a Collection and a Service

Lamb, Amanda

O’Connell, B. & Haven, D. (2013). eBooks as a collection and a service: Developing a public library instruction program to support eBook use. Journal of Library Innovation. 4(1), 53-66. 

Much discussion has centered around the challenges of negotiating ebook collection development. But, other than a clear increase in digital circulation, we do not know much about specific user preferences in this format. This study looks at digital ebooks from a user-centric perspective. The study finds that as use of a library’s collection of eBooks expands, so does patron use of services, especially instructional sessions and individual reference consultations. One patron even commented, “This is a great way to learn how to use eBooks – much easier than simply going to the library website.” 

Those responsible for collection management may want to consider an instructional element with topical collections or new formats. Should libraries commit to supporting 21st century collection development with digital literacy and technology help? If so, then those in charge of collections may want to factor in programming, instruction, and even reference desk support at the time of purchase. 

Library of Things Collection: Study of a public library tool lending collection

Lamb, Amanda

Söderholm, J. (2015). Borrowing tools from the public library. Journal of Documentation. 72(1), 140-155.

Many library collections are moving beyond traditional constraints. Library of Things collections, especially, are breaking new ground with circulating seeds, musical instruments, games, crafting kits, and tools. But why do patrons borrow “things?” This study explores this research question as applied to borrowing tools. The results? In addition to borrowing tools to enhance community and for paid work, patrons also wanted to learn and acquire skills through a public service. Public libraries can (and do!) pair unique Library of Things offerings with instructional opportunities. Patrons expressed a strong sense of community support in borrowing tools. They mentioned home and neighborhood improvement as well as a notion of sustainable community development. Patrons weigh several considerations before checking out a tool from the tool lending library: access and usage, cost, tool type, library vs private borrowing, and political and ideological motivations.

A Library of Things is a vibrant example of user-led collection development. Is there a community quilting group? What equipment does this group share because it is difficult to own? Can the library purchase any equipment to support this need? The potential for this collection seems limitless (within reason). How about a circulating seed collection for a garden club? Could a collection of circulating games support a teen gaming group?  What do users want to learn and what equipment do they need? Collection development for a Library of Things definitely raises some eyebrows. How does one clean and maintain equipment effectively? Do you trust patrons to check these items out and return them well? Beyond the logistical questions, those developing collections could and should ask what benefits the library and its community could enjoy by trying something new in a collection like this. At our Oregon library, a young patron checked out a radar gun from the Library of Things collection to measure the speed of the rides at a local community festival. His family sent photos of this experience to the library which were shared across social media. The positive impact of a Library of Things item can be far reaching indeed.

Brenna Smith

Tait, E., Vo-Tran, H., Mercieca, P., & Reynolds, S. (2019). Don't worry, a school library with fewer books and more technology is good for today's students. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/dont-worry-a-school-library-with-fewer-books-and-more-technology-is-good-for-todays-students-114356?

Summary: In the article published by The Conversation, Tait, Vo-Tran, Mercieca, & Reynolds focus on an all girl's school in Melbourne that sparked a lot of attention through social media by creating a "technology focused center." Many were upset because they assumed that the Melbourne school had completely done away with checking our print books, but this was not the case. The principal argued that she believed in creating a "Learning Center" where the staff continues to provide library services but also offers "discussions with students to encourage creative thinking."
This article also reiterates what we as librarians already know, and that we are constantly changing the way we support patrons as quickly as our society shifts. That "library professionals have been at the forefront of embracing technology: from establishing the first computer labs in schools in the 1980's through to working with students and teachers to use new technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, gaming and recording suites in learning and creativity." With the vast amount of online information and new technologies, they will not be absorbed or used properly without the guidance of a librarian.  

Evaluation: I felt that a significant piece of this article was when the principal defended her decision to restructure the library by calling it a Learning Center. As we have been studying throughout this quarter, libraries can no longer consist of collections of print books. To help today's student be successful for the future, we have to make sure that the library and its staff are integrating technology and project based learning activities into each visit.

"Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff" -- Keep this handy!

Snow, Elizabeth (Betsy)

"Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff", American Library Association, March 1, 2010.

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines/yacompetencies (Accessed November 27, 2018)

Document ID: 622a3066-43b3-d3e4-a9a8-fdd45987d59e

Summary:
The competencies for teen services are very helpful for librarians to understand what teens need in a public library setting, but are also a cogent justification for high school teacher librarians as they plan. From finding ways to engage youth and their families along with the community to reflecting teens and their interests, this article includes handy printouts to post in your space or to give to administrators.

Evaluation:
The standout competencies are "Equity of Acess" and "Continuous Learning" as our role in teen lives cannot be underestimated. Librarians are often the frontline to providing services and outreach, academic or otherwise. Teachers can get bogged down by classroom logistics and this serves as a holistic approach to teen education.

Downloads are here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zo306yughdta5xr/Screenshot%202018-11-27%2011.31.32.png?dl=0

Friends for School Library Improvement

Poser-Brown, Lora

Kaun, T. (2014). Friends of the Oakland Public School Libraries: Building bridges to the local community. CSLA Journal, 38(1), 20-23.

Reflection: Reading about the Oakland, CA, public schools and their diminishing library existence engaged my mind. The district has formed a strong partnership with vested community members, who in turn formed a new Friends of School Libraries group. The article details how the district and Friends have invested in community relationships and bettering their school libraries, some of which have now been completely overhauled. The article contains great step-by-step information on the process of reviving a dying sector of the district’s budget: the school libraries.

90 Hottest EdTech Tools According to Education Experts

Review by Jessica Brooks

Tutorful. (March 20, 2018). The 90 hottest edtech tools according to education experts (updated for 2018) [Blog post].  Retrieved from https://tutorful.co.uk/blog/the-82-hottest-edtech-tools-of-2017-according-to-education-experts

This blog post ranks and summarizes the new and not-so-new Web 2.0 resources and OER's that  could benefit students, teachers, parents, and other school and library stakeholders.  The recommendations come from education experts around the world, and the rankings are based on how many recommended the same resources. The products run the gamut from Nearpod in the number one spot, which is a curation and lesson planning resource for teachers, Buncee (#3), a creation and presentation tool for making digital posters that highlights the four C's (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity), Remind (#5), a tool that gives alerts for homework assignments, due dates, appointments, etc, to people on an email list, and Touchcast (#18) a smartvideo app that allows video creation and collaboration through video.

This is a resource that I look forward to going back to throughout the summer.  There is so much here that it seems like it would be a good idea to jigsaw with willing partners.  I wish there were more to the reviews but I also know that nothing beats hands-on experience with the platforms.  This is an incredibly valuable resource as I work toward  becoming more tech tool savvy.

Collection Development and Management for 21st Century Library Collections: an Introduction by Vicki L. Gregory

Gregory, V. L. (2011). Collection development and management for 21^st century library collections: An introduction. New York: Neal-Schuman.

            I chose to read Collection development and management for 21^st century library collections: an introduction by Vicki L. Gregory in addition to the course textbook. It is a very readable, well-written, and thorough introduction to the subject. Although published seven years ago, it is still up-to-date on topics of both classic and recent interest. A selection of some chapters of interest:

Chapter 1: The impact of new technologies on collection development and management.

            The world wide web has made information so accessible that the demand has shifted from the traditional library core collection of a little bit about everything to the demand for everything, including very specialized resources. Gregory refers to The Long Tail by Chris Anderson (2006) to describe the many specialized titles that were more hidden before the internet and social media made everything available to anyone at any time. In this new age of “every possible resource must be available,” it is up to the librarian to act as a filter to find the best resources.

Chapter 7: Assessment and evaluation of the collection, including deselection (weeding).

            Gregory enumerates several ways of assessing a collection, including circulation statistics for any library (including database and eresource hits) and citation analysis of student and faculty papers to determine if there was a need to go to outside sources or if everything needed was found at the college or university library or website. She goes on to thoroughly discuss why weeding is so important, several tools and guidelines like CREW (continuous review, evaluation, and weeding) and MUSTIE (misleading, ugly, superceded, trivial, irrelevant, elsewhere). The sometimes outraged public reaction to weeding can be averted by constantly performing it rather than weeding a large portion of the collection all at once.

Chapter 10: Professional ethics and intellectual freedom.

            All library professionals are bound by personal and professional ethical standards. ALCTS (Association for Collections and Technical Services), a subgroup of ALA, has composed special guidelines in addition to the ALA general guidelines. Collection development and acquisitions librarians have unique issues because of their close contact with vendors and the spending of thousands or millions of dollars of institutional funds. The acceptance of gifts is one such issue, even of a meal. Gifts should never prejudice a decision towards or away from a vendor. With electronic media, patron privacy and confidentiality have become prime issues, as well. Gregory refers to ALA’s Library Bill of Rights to illustrate how to maintain intellectual freedom and refrain from censorship, even the self-censorship of not purchasing controversial materials in the first place.

Chapter 11: Preservation.

            Gregory gives a synopsis of physical preservation in libraries. Of interest is the special challenge of electronic resource preservation. One of the stumbling blocks of electronic formats, including hardware and software, is the swift pace of technological advancement that renders older formats redundant and sometimes unusable. For example, does anyone still have 8-track tape players available? Even carefully digitized or born-digital collections have to be migrated to newer platforms and file forms as technology progresses.

Chapter 12: The future of collection development and management.

            The future involves the ever-expanding role of electronic resources, of course, but also of the increasing local contribution of information, such as digital repositories of local research. Information literacy is of greater importance now than ever with the many competing unauthorized (and downright incorrect) resources available on the web. The author opines that the physical book will never completely vanish. I certainly hope so. Although I love the ease and speed of acquiring and using eaudiobooks, ebooks, and other online resources, I also appreciate the ease of reading, rereading, note taking, and referring back inherent in the physical paper form.