Though gamification is not new, the rapid adoption of smartphones and the growing mobile web and app universe has made it ubiquitous, social, and seamlessly woven into reality in ways we couldn't have imagined even ten years ago. And it's extremely popular. Gamification, when done right, will engage your library's users, and better yet, help them learn. In this issue of Library Technology Reports, Kim will clarify your understanding of gamification with a range of examples from social causes, education, and libraries. She points out the gaming elements of apps you may have used, like Foursquare or Waze, and explores game mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics. This Report also covers such topics as: What distinguishes gamification from related concepts such as games, toys, and playful design How the Canton Public Library used a Drupal website and a "User Badge" module for its summer reading program North Carolina State University's mobile scavenger hunt Portland State University's digital badge program certifying critical thinking skills 7 types of knowledge and associated gamification elements Navigating the debate over external rewards and intrinsic motivation What makes the Bottle Bank Arcade Game effective in promoting recycling

Maker learning spaces in schools and public libraries are made real through the narratives of professional librarians around the world, comprising the collaborative activities, experiences, and perspectives of librarians as they have implemented makerspaces for students of all ages. School Library Makerspaces in Action is for any librarian looking for inspiration for their own makerspaces, hackerspaces, fablabs, or DIY locations and how to use these spaces in libraries and educational settings. Contributions from authors around the world address the needs of most all readers, including how to provide the staff training necessary for a successful makerspace. Each chapter is written from an author's personal experience, and with only a little fine-tuning and imagination, many of these ideas can be used throughout all levels, disciplines, and subjects in K-12 education and carry over into higher education. The successes and optimism shared in this collection will inspire librarians and educators to think positively about how to implement maker learning locations, train staff, and use makerspaces in their libraries and classrooms to promote and share new ideas. Provides inspirational examples of successful makerspaces in school and public libraries Furnishes practical, immediately usable projects, assignments, and curricula Offers needed examples of how to train maker librarians Showcases working partnerships between school and public librarians in makerspace endeavors

An invaluable how-to text that details the workshop model, addresses the design challenges, and explains the best avenues for curriculum-based learning in the school library makerspace. A successful school makerspace needs an enthusiastic maker community, school-wide participation, and staff support. How do you build this type of learning at your school? The innovative team behind Challenge-Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace addresses common questions and concerns and describes step-by-step how to introduce challenge-based learning into the school library makerspace. Intended for librarians and school staff who have already started thinking in terms of makerspaces but need further help sustaining programming and want to know more about Makerspace 2.0, this helpful guide details the workshop model, various real-world design challenges, and the process for implementing curriculum-based learning in the school library makerspace. Readers will be empowered to go beyond the initial implementation of a makerspace and to draw from an arsenal of proven methodologies for designing challenges for student learning. Additionally, the book enables the addition of curriculum connections to library programming, shows how to connect your students to local experts and the global maker community, and eases you into more productive collaboration with other librarians. Explores crowdsourced research methods that lead to authentic participatory learning Ensures that student-led workshops and design challenges result in tremendous success Supplies practical tips that can be applied by beginner maker-librarians and provides curricula suggestions for advanced maker-librarians Explains how to incorporate design thinking, empathy building, and problem solving with design challenges that spur student creativity

The budget-constrained, rapidly evolving climate of higher education and academic libraries makes it a necessity for academic librarians and administrators to communicate the value of their library to the university. This book explains how to execute this critical task. Authored by a library director and director of library liason and instructional services who formerly served as a faculty member, a librarian, and a professional development instructor, The Pivotal Role of Academic Librarians in Digital Learning establishes the library's role in supporting student learning in an increasingly digital environment by exploring theoretical foundations and sharing concrete examples. The chapters focus on strategies and methods for demonstrating the academic library's value through strategic campus partnerships, creation of learning objects such as video tutorials, research instruction designed to facilitate student collaboration, and participation in assessment of learning on campus. All of the topics addressed within a broad range of subject matter fall within the scope of learning in the "digital age," with particular emphasis on utilizing online learning environments-including social media-to teach students critical thinking and research skills as well as to position the academic library as an integral part of the modern learning environment. This book is a must-read for academic librarians in instructional roles, teaching faculty, academic library administrators and managers who need to communicate the value of the library in relation to student learning, and academic administrators who are obligated to demonstrate the important role of libraries in academic excellence. Advocates and explains the instructional role of academic librarians-a role that is key and continuing to grow in importance Furnishes practical examples of digital products and proven processes to aid in student learning Provides concrete methodologies to use technology to increase the visibility and perceived value of academic libraries Illustrates the use of templates, lesson plans, and other tools that serve teaching librarians

This catalogue showcases some of the treasures of the University of Alberta's Map and Special Collections, as well as other U of A Libraries, particularly in terms of resources to aid in the study of the cultures of Medieval and Early Modern Europe. The curators have focused on "facsimiles," and one of the ways to view the exhibit is in terms of the art of the facsimile, from early twentieth-century black-and-white photographs to twenty-first-century colour, digital photographs on CD-ROM. A second theme is ancient book production, from the papyrus roll through the medieval parchment codex, down to the modern printed book. The curators have also considered representations of the world and its inhabitants: humans in their many activities and occupations, animals wild and tame, and monsters that dwelled in those parts of the world just beyond the boundary of the known.

This book provides teachers, librarians, and education methods professors with strategies, lesson plans, and activities that enable them to use literature as a springboard to social studies thematic instruction. With the amount of time and resources allocated to teaching social studies being significantly reduced, social studies lessons need to be incorporated into other subjects. Notable Books, Notable Lessons: Putting Social Studies Back in the K–8 Curriculum offers the tools to teach students social studies concepts that are increasingly relevant and essential in today's diverse, globalized world—lessons that are vital in order to prepare students to think critically and participate in our multicultural democracy. Providing information that elementary and middle school teachers and librarians, district-level curriculum directors and principals, staff developers, and social studies and literacy methods professors will find extremely useful, this book uses the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)/Children's Book Council (CBC)'s current and past lists of Notable Books at the elementary and middle school levels to offer easy-to-follow lesson plans that integrate social studies instruction with reading and language arts. The lesson plans pose compelling questions to facilitate discussion and critical thinking and suggest engaging activities that are connected to the social studies concepts. The book also includes sample student handouts for the selected pieces of literature.

The library is one of the most fascinating places in the whole world. You can literally go around the world and back in the library. The library helps you find information to recipes and from fiction to finances. Let the library open up the world to you. Complete the activities provided and get your local librarian to sign the certificate at the end. Walk into a library and walk out into a whole new world. Julia Royston celebrates 30 years of librarianship in 2014. To celebrate this feat, she is dedicating this book, song and coloring book to all of the librarians in the world who have helped children and adults across the globe locate information, select a book or change their world through the power of libraries.

Addressing the needs of new adults—those ages 18–29—in the library is an important challenge. This book explains the needs and wants of new adults in the public library setting and identifies their preferences in physical space, programming, and technology. According to the Pew Research Center's 2015 Libraries at the Crossroads Report, 52 percent of people between the ages of 16 and 29 visited a bookmobile or library within the past year. Yet many public libraries' programming and outreach skip over this demographic, jumping from teen services to older adults. Library Programs and Services for New Adults provides a road map for including new adults into the family of the small public library and offers a variety of resources and programming ideas that librarians can use immediately. Author Kyla Hunt—a library technology and trends specialist—explains why the needs of new adults are typically overlooked at public libraries, defines who "new adults" are, and explains why serving their needs is key to the success of today's public libraries. Readers will come away with an in-depth understanding of the mindset and needs of patrons who are 18 to 29 years old and be able to cater to their preferences as they pertain to physical space, programming, technology, and marketing.

This exploration of model storytelling projects shows librarians how to expand their roles as keepers of the stories while strengthening their communities. Community life is built on its stories. Our history and culture-those of society and of individuals-are passed from generation to generation through stories. Engaging Community through Storytelling: Library and Community Programming examines a wide variety of model storytelling projects across the country, reflecting how storytelling can encourage community attachment, identity, and expression in libraries, community centers, and schools. The contributed essays-written by experts in their fields, many of whom served as developer, fundraiser, director, and implementer of their project-provide detailed information about the inner workings of a wide variety of model storytelling projects from across the country. The authors delineate the need, scope, and audience for each project and offer riveting anecdotes that evaluate the success of that project. Many of the articles are accompanied by one or more photographs documenting the work or practical how-to-do-it guides to encourage and enable replication. Thoughtful commentary on and review of the key concepts in each chapter are provided by the book's editors. Presents an inspirational and impassioned documentation of how storytelling can and is being used in libraries, community centers, and schools to engage and strengthen communities Helps librarians create programs for youth storytellers that keep children and young adults involved in their schools and communities Showcases replicable programs that can readily and immediately be implemented in school and public libraries, as well as in other community organizations Provides a timely and effective response to tension and divisiveness in our communities

A fascinating and informative read for librarians, library staff, and MLIS students, this book offers practical information and professional guidelines to examine current issues in censorship and libraries while also enabling readers to consider their own opinions about intellectual freedom. This book addresses contemporary issues in censorship and intellectual freedom and can serve as an invaluable resource for librarians and other library staff and as an eye-opening read for MLIS students. It covers the waterfront of intricate and thorny issues regarding intellectual freedom, including determining strategies for patron privacy, deciding how to filter public computers, handling challenges to items in a collection, and recognizing and eliminating under-the-radar self-censorship during collection development and weeding. Readers will also gain an understanding of the perils of over-reliance on community assessments and other evaluative tools and consider important concerns of public library employees, such as whether to restrict borrowing privileges of R-rated movies and M-rated video games to patrons of various ages, and the legalities that surround these questions. Each chapter blends instructive background narrative with practical advice, research findings, and relevant information about librarianship's professional guidelines, including the ALA's Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement. Vignettes, "what would you do?" examples, effective nonconfrontational techniques for conflict resolution, and lists of tips and traps help readers to think critically about their own biases and rehearse possible responses to controversial situations. Librarians, library staff, and MLIS students can use this book for personal professional development, as supplemental reading for MLIS courses or professional training workshops, or as a resource for library policy-planning discussions.

Written specifically for academic librarians and library administrators, this book identifies the myriad benefits of peer-assisted learning, exploring how the implementation of peer-assisted learning benefits information literacy instruction, cocurricular outreach, and reference services. In this era of accountability—and stretched budgets—in higher education, librarians need to make instructional programming both highly effective and sustainable. Peer-assisted learning is a methodology that has long been accepted in teaching but is relatively new as applied to academic library instruction, outreach, and reference. This book brings together the most innovative applications of peer-assisted learning in these contexts, explaining specific ways to apply peer-assisted learning in a variety of academic library settings for maximum benefit. This guidebook begins with an extensive literature review of the theoretical underpinnings of peer-assisted learning and the various benefits these programs can provide academic librarians and peer mentors. The bulk of the book's content is organized into three sections that address the subjects of information literacy instruction, cocurricular outreach, and reference services separately. Each section showcases real-world examples of peer-assisted learning at a variety of academic institutions. Through these case studies, readers can fully understand the development, implementation, and assessment of a peer-assisted learning program, and librarians and administrators will see the practical benefits of enriching the experiences of student employees. Practitioners will receive inspiration and guidance through chapters that discuss training activities, identify lessons learned, and explain the implications for further research.

Collaboration involves a fusion of individual talents and skills through outreach and cooperation. And it is one of the key ingredients of a vibrant, successful library that is also relevant to the community it serves. But it doesn't just happen magically, and it's a challenge to kindle those original sparks of inspiration into a sustainable effort. Written by a team of librarians and community partners who themselves learned how to collaborate successfully, this uplifting book takes a fresh look at the essentials of how to nurture the best within ourselves and our colleagues in order to create lasting partnerships that will continue to thrive. Its breezy tone encourages reflection and discovery while giving practical suggestions on how to plan for short-term gains and long-term results. Questions and points to ponder included at the end of each chapter will facilitate discussion and planning. Helping you harness creative thinking and channel it into everyday work, this book: discusses why collaboration is so important and provides numerous tips for cultivating it; examines what to do when things go wrong, including techniques for generating patience and perseverance to help produce positive results;offers new ways to plan and implement, featuring guidance on how to establish a core group; explores ways to prioritize by starting with clear goals; describes the fundamentals of engaging with fellow staff and the wider community; and highlights ideas to spark curiosity that benefit everyone. An array of appendices with worksheets, examples, suggested readings, and other tools complete this celebration of collaboration, a book that will inspire effective communication and accountability within your organization and among community allies.

Reading is an essential life skill not only for an individual's development and life chances but for social cohesion and a developed democracy. This book focuses on the importance of reading for pleasure and the difference that it can make to a person’s life chances, with a focus upon how libraries and librarians help reluctant and struggling readers: those who might fall through the net or be left behind. Reading by Right provides an edited collection of chapters covering aspects of overcoming reading difficulties or reading reluctance in children and young people from birth right through to teenage. The book examines the research into problems with the acquisition of reading and highlights some of the best practise to be found internationally, both as a practical aid but also to inspire partnership and cooperation. Content covered includes: an outline of the political and strategic framework that library and education practitioners face in trying to overcome the barriers to reading a review of the past several decades of research in this area how youngsters become ‘reluctant readers’ and how to improve the situation for everyone examples of successful projects from Korea and Finland, countries that consistently perform well in reading tests and international league tables a wealth of practical context, including case studies and perspectives from school and public libraries an overview of the ongoing relevance of debates and discussion around diversity in publishing and children’s books, including some potential solutions. The book will be invaluable reading for practitioners and students of librarianship in both the public and school sectors. It will also be of great interest to all teachers, consultants and educators concerned with literacy and reading, and to policy makers in both the school and library sectors.

Whether they're students taking the traditional path of entering college from high school, or adult first-time or re-entry students, navigating the admissions and financial aid process can be overwhelming for the college bound. Public libraries can help provide information and guidance for a successful start, and this book shows how to do it. Incorporating insight gleaned from interviews with librarians serving college-bound patrons, this book includes: Checklists to help public libraries take stock of current services, programs, and resources for serving the college bound, with pointers on how to make improvements Tips for using, marketing, and expanding the collection effectively Ready-to-adapt program ideas Advice on shoring up support among stakeholders, overcoming objections, and taking advantage of outreach opportunities Worksheets to help library administrators evaluate staff skills and interests Reviews of online college-planning tools A directory of college-related organizations, publishers, resources, and education authority agencies With the assistance of this book, public libraries can provide truly outstanding service to this important population.

Digitizing your collection is not only a great way to increase access to your materials, it also engages patrons on a whole new level and helps communicate your library's value. But with staff time and resources already spread thin, it can be a challenge to plan and undertake a digitization initiative. The good news is that public libraries across the country have done just that. Here, the authors share lessons and tips for success, showing the way to getting your collection online. With succinct and practical guidance that can be adapted to any size institution, this book explains why public libraries should take digitization seriously, listing key points that can be used to get stakeholders on board; points out what you should consider before undertaking a digitization project; discusses copyright and other access-related issues; shows how public libraries are handling funding and finding collaborative partners; shares ways that libraries have used digitization projects for community outreach and to promote collections; and offers advice on marketing and media. Many libraries across the country have found ways to create wonderful digital collections, and this book shows you how you can too.

With the recent passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), school libraries are poised for a potential turnaround. But there's only one way forward: school librarians must become leaders, fully interwoven into the fabric of the educational community. And to become a truly effective leader you've got to have a plan. In her new book, Weisburg builds on her decades of experience and mentorship in school libraries to offer a carefully crafted roadmap that guides readers step by step through the process of transforming into a leader, from becoming aware of what's at stake to learning and mastering the necessary skills for leadership. Using a pragmatic approach that acknowledges the challenges to come while also offering unabashed inspiration, this book incorporates first-hand understanding of the dynamics of the educational environment, from the building to the district level; begins by addressing common fears about taking on a leadership role, and shows how to move past them and gain confidence; demonstrates how to build credibility among stakeholders and peers through strategic risk-taking; discusses ways to rely on one's strengths to grow skills and expertise; explains how to know when to lead and when to manage, plus the fine art of delegation; gives pointers on communicating effectively, becoming visible, behaving ethically, maintaining a healthy life-work balance, and other important career issues; and shows readers what it takes to move onto a larger stage and become a local educational leader who also has a presence on the state and national level. By starting with the basics and offering concrete ideas for moving forward, the book shows readers how they can slowly build their confidence and skills to become the leaders their students and the profession needs them to be.

This book connects teaching practical strategies and ideas with educational theories to give you techniques to use in the classroom to capture students' attention and engage them with instruction. Drawing on the literatures of adult education and of teaching skills, Engaging Diverse Learners: Teaching Strategies for Academic Librarians presents a wide range of methods to improve how you teach. Coauthors Mark Aaron Polger and Scott Sheidlower argue that in order to grab–and hold onto—students' attention, instructors must get their interest right from the beginning. The techniques they suggest explain how to take into consideration the range of different learning styles students may have, how to accommodate students with different English language skills or abilities, and how to successfully work with individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds or from different technologically adapted generations. The sections for each group address the key questions of identification (who are they?); how members of that group tend to react to libraries, librarians, and education; and how educational theories of that time affected students' learning in that generation.