Daily Archives: April 25, 2012

3 posts

TTW Mailbox: Pre-service Teacher Preparation

Hi Michael: Please share this informal research inquiry with your readers: What pre-service teacher preparation or supervisor preparation programs at the undergrad or masters level exist that include a component that at least introduces these educators to what school librarians can do for them? A more eloquent way of stating this is, “…[that] include a component that introduces the role of how school librarians support the school’s mission to produce literate and informed learners and how school librarians can help students graduate from high school college- and career ready.” [Thanks to Mary Moyer, Cumberland County Library Commission Member, Congressional Contact […]

Meaningful Essential Services Beyond Commercial Content

Don’t miss the new column by Aaron Schmidt: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/04/opinion/aaron-schmidt/services-more-meaningful-than-ebooks-the-user-experience/ Fortunately, there are examples of libraries creating new and valuable services that may just serve as a template for fresh, more community- responsive services than the current “free bookstore” long-term gamble we’re making. Baltimarket is a collaboration among Enoch Pratt Free Library, the city of Baltimore, and other organizations to bring healthy food to food deserts. People can order groceries online and pick them up at library locations. No ­ebooks required. In January, Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ, hired a nurse. She leads programs and is also available to answer questions […]

Office Hours: Learning Everywhere

My new “Office Hours” column is up at Library Journal online: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/04/opinion/michael-stephens/learning-everywhere-office-hours/ The trend, “Education paradigms are shifting to include online learning, hybrid learning, and collaborative models,” also describes the move from place-based learning and information access. These ideas for change are synthesized in what Henry Jenkins calls “connected learning.” Jenkins, professor of communication, journalism, and cinematic arts at the University of Southern California, offers principles of connected learning that illustrate how far we’ve come and where we might be going: a shared purpose between learners and peers, a production-centered focus on creation and curation of things, and an openly networked atmosphere […]