From Boardbook to Facebook: Children's Services in an Interactive Age

by Adele M. Fasick

Overview

Discover new approaches for extending children's library services beyond the library building and learn how to utilize technology to bring learning to children wherever they may be.

The ways in which we communicate, learn, and interact have changed drastically in the last decade, and this worldwide revolution applies to the youngest members of society as well. Today's books and learning materials are being presented and used in new and different ways. From the toddler's first boardbooks to the young teen's conversations on Facebook, children are interacting with print and media rather than passively listening or viewing. Libraries can contribute to this interactive world by inviting children to take an active role in their library collection and library service experiences.

This book examines the impact of new technologies on children's experiences of books and libraries, and demonstrates how librarians can adapt to new technologies and integrate library services into the lives of today's children. From Boardbook to Facebook: Children's Services in an Interactive Age draws on current research to illuminate how children's use of media has changed in recent years and suggests ways in which new technologies can be integrated into library services now and in the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781598844689
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/13/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	172
Sales rank:	1,000,544
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Adele M. Fasick is professor emerita of the faculty of information studies at University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and teaches at San José State University, CA.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1: Children's Services Moving into the Future
Are Libraries for Children Still Important?
What Do Libraries as Institutions Offer to Children?
What Do Library Services Offer to Children?
How Do Today's Children Interact with Media?
Barriers to Libraries' Use of Modern Technologies for Children
Matching Library Services to Children's Needs

SECTION I: CHANGES IN CHILDREN'S LIVES

Chapter 2: How Have Services to the Youngest Changed?
Where Libraries Are Now
Programs for Babies and Toddlers
Programs for Preschoolers
Electronic Enhancements for Programming
Bridging the Gap between Home Media and Library Media
Using Interactive Media to Facilitate Services
Encouraging Ongoing Adult Engagement in Children's Programming
Points about Preschoolers

Chapter 3: What Has Changed for Children from Five to Nine?
Starting School and the Changes That Brings
The Difference Reading Makes
Learning to Read
Practical Value of Reading
Changing Media World of School-Age Children
Traditional Media
New Forms of Media
What Does the Proliferation of Media Mean to Libraries?
The Disappearing Parent
Growing Importance of Peer Group
Gender Becomes More Important
What Libraries Are Doing for School-Age Children
After-School Programs
Summer Reading Programs
Integrating Library Programs with the Larger Media World
After-School Programs
Interactivity Is the Key

Chapter 4: What's New for 'Tweens and Teens?
Digital Natives Heading toward Adulthood
Changing Interactions with Technology
Effects of Technology Changes
Who Needs the Library?
No Time for the Library
No Interest in the Library
No Need for Bricks and Mortar
What Libraries Are Doing for 'Tweens and Teens
Traditional Programs for Older Children
The Big Move—Leaving the Children's Department
Patterns of Teen Collections in Libraries
Choices for the Location of Teen Collections
Keeping Teenagers in the Loop
Getting Input from 'Tweens and Teens
Responsibilities to Emerging Adults

SECTION II: LITERACIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Chapter 5: Changing Literacies for the 21st Century
Definitions of Literacy
Importance of Print Literacy
Social Advantages of Print Literacy
Major Causes of Illiteracy Worldwide
Other Factors Limiting the Development of Print Literacy
Where Do Libraries Fit In?
Providing Print Materials for Non-English Speakers
Eliminating Social Barriers to Literacy
Working with Other Community Groups
Visual and Media Literacy
Understanding Pictures in Print
Print Images in Different Formats
Understanding Digital Images
Multicultural Literacy
Building a More Multicultural Library Collection
Technology and Multicultural Literacy

Chapter 6: Developing Information Literacy
How Do Multiple Literacies Affect Information Seeking?
Changes in Collections
Changes in Options for Searching
Merging Information from Different Formats
Library Instruction
Formulating Questions and Finding Sources
Formulating a Question
Locating Sources
Evaluating Information
Recognizing a Reliable Source—Criteria for Various Formats
Collaborative Information Seeking
Collaborative Projects for Children
Librarians Working on Collaborative Projects
Some Basics of Information Literacy

SECTION III: BUILDINGS FOR THE FUTURE

Chapter 7: Changing Library Buildings to Meet Changing Needs
Evolution of Children's Library Departments
1900–1920
1920–1940
1945–Present
Factors that Influence Building Design for Children
New Forms for Libraries
Digital Libraries for Children
Hybrid Libraries
Looking Ahead to a Seamless Blended Library

Chapter 8: Designing a Blended Library
Components of a Blended Library
Library Portals
Secondary Portals—Entrance to the Children's Department
What Message Does the Portal Send?
Sub-Portals—Access Points within the Library
Online Portals
How Can the Blended Library Coordinate Its Designs?
Online Portals for Mobile Devices
Blending Physical and Electronic Media
Print and Print-Based Materials
Visual Electronic Materials
Provision for Face-to-Face Interactions
Staffing for Blended Libraries
Overview of the Blended Library

SECTION IV: PREPARING TO MEET THE FUTURE

Chapter 9: Preparing for Service in the New Children's Library
Librarians as Managers
Understanding the Audience
Knowing the Community
Planning a Program of Services
Building Collections
Making the Collection Accessible
Delivering Information Services
Providing Educational and Recreational Programs
Forming Partnerships in the Community
Evaluating Services
Surveys
Statistics
Observation
Marketing the Library's Services
Designing a Marketing Plan
Being Visible in the Community
Using Technology
Maintaining Professional Contacts
Attending Conferences
Working on Committees
Keeping in Touch
Overview of a Changing Profession

Chapter 10: Making Change Happen
Taking Stock of What You Have
Finding Allies for Change
Colleagues
Professional Contacts
Community Members
Starting Change
Start with the Easy Steps
Maintaining Momentum
Maintaining Conditions for Continual Change
Setting Up Communications for Marketing
Examples of Youth Library Marketing
Hearing from Teenagers in San Francisco
Blogging for Parents and Younger Children in New Jersey
Keeping Colleagues on Board
Children and Change

References and Further Reading
Index

Editorial Reviews

This is an essential read for anyone in our profession, and lucky for us Fasick has an inviting, smooth writing style. I enjoyed reading this as much as I do narrative nonfiction—she is clear, to the point, and offers great examples of what she is discussing. Whether you are a youth services librarian who started before we had computers, to those 'digital natives' who are newer librarians, this will have something for you. It is wonderful that Fasick is so positive and optimistic—it is clear the 'death' of the library is just not true, especially if we are able to lead our communities which are already embracing technological innovations.” —BayViews

From the Publisher