Libraries and student success

When asked what school resources are designed to best help students succeed, there is no better answer than: the library. But is this really true? How do libraries help students succeed? Are libraries meeting the needs of the 21st century student? What can existing libraries do to meet those needs?

According to a research study by the Association of College and Research Libraries,

• library instruction builds students’ confidence with the research process
• students who receive library instruction as part of their courses achieve higher grades and demonstrate better information literacy competencies than students who do not receive course-related library instruction
• a library’s research and study space fosters social and academic community among students
• collaborative instructional activities and services between the library and other campus
  units (e.g., writing center, study skills and tutoring services) promote student learning and success
• library instructional games engage students, enhance information literacy skills, and increase positive attitudes toward the library and its staff
• library instruction contributes to retention and persistence
  

It is crucial to note how a student’s success is measured both academically and emotionally. Schools have taken great strides to address emotional problems because they recognize the profound connection and subsequent feedback loop that occurs with social/emotional well-being and academic achievement. Libraries should follow suit. The 21st century student needs to be able to connect to learning spaces like school and the library both emotionally and academically in order to be the most successful person s/he can be. The fact remains that all the funding in the world is not enough to help students strike the important balance between emotional and academic well-being.

Libraries are in the unique position to assist students with this balancing act, being neither a classroom or playground all at once. 

For more information about how libraries can help students succeed:

Blog post: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/21st-century-libraries-learning-commons-beth-holland

PPT:https://www.google.com/search?q=student+success+through+emotional+empowerment&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

References:

Association of College and Research Libraries.Academic Library Contributions to Student

Success: Documented Practices from the Field. Prepared by Karen Brown.Contribution by Kara J. Malenfant. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2015.

Libraries and homeschooling

Many parents chose to opt out of traditional schooling for their children and instead, homeschool them. As monuments to knowledge and resources, libraries must be able to identify the unique needs of homeschool families, work to meet those needs, and effectively communicate with other public resources that may also assist homeschoolers. Libraries are the tether that keep homeschooled kids and parents connected to the resources they need for success.

One of the many challenges to homeschooling is that the children being to associate the home environment with school work. Not only is the home supposed to be where families come together, relax, sleep, and eat, but it is now also a “schoolhouse” with rules, obligations, assignments, due dates, and specific expectations both from their parent-teachers and the school district officials who oversee the curriculum. Homeschooled children benefit enormously from excursions. For many homeschoolers, the public library is where it’s at for reading books, digital media, and nonfiction titles. “When homeschoolers were asked about their primary source of books and/or curriculum, 78 percent named their public library” (Shinn, 2008). That is why public libraries need to assess the needs of this growing demographic of scholars and their parents.

In general, there are three aspects to the public library that are most important to homeschool families: access, events, choice.

    Access: Homeschooled children are simply students who do not attend school. Parents are in the position to weigh the pros and cons of homeschooling vs. school. Homeschooling may lead to a lack of access to the information resources a school or school library would supply, like Ebsco. Online and physical resources from the public library supplement and enhance what is being taught at home.

    Events: Public libraries often receive funding to put on educational, fun, and most importantly, FREE events geared toward children. Homeschooling parents will be drawn to events put on at the local public library. It must be quite the challenge to parent and teach your own children every day. Mom and Dad deserve a nice break from those dual roles.

    Choice: Public libraries offer the choice of space, freedom of movement within the library, and flexible hours of operation, all of which are appealing to students who are learning outside the traditional timesheet of school. 

For more resources about libraries and homeschooling:

http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/professional-tools/lsspcc-toolkit-2015.pdf

http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=childrens&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90419

 References:

Shinn, Lora. "A Home Away From Home." School Library Journal 54.8 (2008): 38-42. Academic Search Premier. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

Libraries as social hubs

The idea that libraries will act as social hubs is not new. This is reflected in the design, location, and placement of libraries. Touted as centers of knowledge, information, and learning, libraries are often considered the heart of communities, public schools, and universities. It is common for high-minded rhetoric, idealism, and vague talk of values to surface whenever libraries are a topic of discussion. But when it comes down to it, many libraries are underutilized and outdated, especially school library/media centers.

An exciting, evolving trend in school libraries takes a traditional space of quiet study and transforms it into a “learning commons”, brimming with the energy of new ideas, attracting students back into the sacred chambers of the school’s revived heart. Take note because creating a “learning commons” out of a school library is a big game-changer. The driver behind converting to a “learning commons” is the realization that school libraries were not helping students succeed. The way in which kids learn is changing rapidly. A majority of 6-12 grade students do not cite a physical book for their research papers. The most current information is available on the internet and that is something school libraries need to understand. Collection development of physical books is a thing of the past. Many books become hopelessly out of date in a very short amount of time, sometimes even before they are published.

Students want to use a space that let’s them be kids. Kids have schoolwork that requires collaboration. Kids also like to talk. By promoting the library as a collaborative area specifically for them, in which they can talk, students will learn to associate your library with positive social interactions. Not only will they come to the library to work on projects with group members, they’ll drop in to hang out, play games, chat with friends, read, and study. It will become the space on campus they think of first to visit. Such a positive association is crucial for libraries to maintain relevancy in the digital age. Converting to a learning commons atmosphere requires a change in culture and expectations for the library space. You may want to shift your focus from print books to eBooks. Keeping up with kids means keeping up with technology. Clear some space for additional seating, especially lounge furniture like couches, and the kids will respond to that. Set ground rules for behaviors in this new space. For example: students can talk in a normal voice when working on a group project, so long as they aren’t distracting others.

Del Lago Academy of Applied Science in Escondido, CA is a remarkably high-tech magnet high school that opened its doors in 2013. I have the honor of being the Library/Media Technician at this school. The library, or “Academic Commons” was designed from the beginning to be a collaborative space for students. The textbook collection is 50% online and the library book collection is 100% online. Items that are online are accessible via each student’s iPad, which is checked out to them as freshman and returned upon graduation, four years later. The Commons treats iPads like textbooks, checking them in and out, assessing them for damage, and sending them out for repairs.  In other words, there are no physical books out on the floor. (This may change for the fiction collection. A survey of students indicated that they would like to have the option of checking out print fiction books from the Commons, especially new YA fiction novels.) The layout of the Commons focuses on different collaborative seating areas. Floor-to-ceiling whiteboards cover the majority of the walls. A separate quiet study room may be reserved. Six iMac computers are available on the floor for student use. Teachers bring in their classes and many students visit during break and lunch. This is an excellent example of foresight on the part of the site administration and school board. Provide students with the space and means to access information. Empower students by teaching them to integrate technology into their everyday lives. Save paper by having students submit all work electronically. This new approach to the library space and student support is the path to producing environmentally conscious, better educated, better prepared, and better techno saavy high school graduates. Given the unique circumstances that make up my job at DLA, I plan on creating a blog about my experiences working in a non-traditional “learning commons” style library.

For more information about learning commons, check out the following links:

http://www.ala.org/llama/sites/ala.org.llama/files/content/Planning%20to%20Transform%20Your%20Library9.3.14-slides.pdf

http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aaslpubsandjournals/knowledgequest/docs/KQ_MarApr14_ClimbingtoExcellence.pdf

http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/conferences/confsandpreconfs/2015/Andrews_Wright.pdf

References:

Mueller, Lisa. "From Library To Learning Commons." Teacher Librarian 43.1 (2015): 12-17. Academic Search Premier. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

Libraries and homeschooling

"In 2007 , 52 percent of America's more than 100,000 public libraries saw an increase in circulation (Combined Book Exhibit 2007)- A good portion of those users are home educators, according to NCES (2003), which found that nearly 80 percent of homeschoolers use a public library" That is from the article, Libraries and Homeschoolers. The reason why I believe libraries see a lot of homeschoolers is because they are the ones that need to use the library more than regular schooled children. Those at home the majority of the time, do not have a school library to go to, so they use their public library instead. This statement from the same article just gives evidence that homeschoolers do indeed use their public libraries, "Homescboolers often develop
close associations with local librarians, frequenting their local libraries often.."  One way that libraries can increase their patrons in this area is through the use of hands on programs. According to the article, "Hands-on Homeschool Program",
                                                                           Children and their parents love to come to a pro- gram where they learn about a topic and then apply what they have learned with an experiment or activi- ty. This dual approach not only helps children pro- cess information in different ways, but also gives them something to take home to show others in their family and to have for their portfolios. Most of the families that we have worked with maintain some type of portfolio of their child’s work. These portfolios are used to show their child’s progress through the year.
In planning these hands on programs it is essential to ask the 5 W's and the one "H": Who are you doing it for? What is the program? When it is to be held? Where is it to be held? Why it is being held, what are the reasons for this program? How are you going to accomplish this? What are you capable of doing for this program? How long will it take you to complete this program in terms of hours? Doing these types of programs can bring you success but only if you think about it ahead of time and plan it out.
                 Although it takes a lot of work to organize and prepare, the experiments and hands-on activities of these programs are key elements to their success. Researching the topic, being prepared, and being willing to adapt an experiment or activity to meet the needs of your group and the supplies and limitations that you have will also help you to have a successful program. Keep in mind that these programs don’t have to just be for the homeschooling crowd. Pro- grams that incorporate science and other subjects with a hands-on component can be fun for the whole family and can bring in quite the crowd at your library. (Hands on Homeschool Program)  In conclusion, I agree with everything that has been said because I do believe first off that homeschoolers are the ones that frequent the library the most for the reasons that were mentioned and also putting on hands on programs will increase your patrons in this area.

Libraries and Student Success

               With the way that technology is going now a days, I am anticipating that libraries will have a resurgence and become even more popular, that is if they stay up to date with the technology. That is one of the ways that libraries will have success with students. Another way besides technology that libraries can have student success is when they are teaching English language learners or "ELL's." According to the article "LIBRARIES at the the READY,
                                                    Although the atmosphere is casual and upbeat, the librarians are actually tackling a serious issue. Studies show that English language learners (ELLs), such as the children at this library, often start school lagging behind their class- mates with little hope of catching up. In California, home to more than a million students who do not speak English as a primary language, ELLs enter kindergarten already trailing
their counterparts in assessments of school readiness (cited in Cannon, Jacknowitz, & Karoly, 2012). In 3rd grade, 81 percent score below proficiency in English language arts; by the time they reach high school, almost 24 percent have dropped out (California Department of Education, 2013a, 2013b).
Libraries have traditionally supported schools’ efforts by providing story hours for preschool classes, as well as homework help
and summer reading programs for older students. More recently, libraries have focused on their school-readiness programming. Although often overlooked as an educational resource, public libraries are in a unique position to help young children and their families. Located in nearly every community in the country, many operate five to seven
days a week and offer evening and weekend hours. More important, their services are free.

Librarians themselves need to be ready for the future and what it holds. The following is the from the article, "Rocking Your Library World: Strategies for Success in a Tough Economy." In order to be a successful library and librarian, the following needs to be followed: there is a necessity to establish your priorities and baseline, set realistic goals, assess the skills that matter in the students, leverage the Web 2.0 tools, shift the paradigm let the students become the teachers, guide the teachers into the 21st century, share success and maintain your focus. When you as the librarian complete all these necessities, then you are ready to have student success.
The above video shows how libraries can have success in the technology dependent times that we are living.
So, I am hopeful that I have explained a couple of reasons and was able to show how libraries can have student success.

Libraries as Social Hubs by L Stinson

 Even with the new digital age the Libraries have changed their importance in many communities in the last 10 – 15 years. Many cities and communities have built new libraries to become a hub of activity in those communities by building them down town and near other community buildings. As the economy has changed the libraries became a place to search for a job, learn to prepare a resume, research your genealogy, attend a meeting, learn to use a computer as well as finding a good book to read. The public library is a place for anyone to visit no matter what their economic status, race, religion, education or age. In the article Public Libraries: The Hub of our Communities it is discussed that as the library is owned but it’s citizens and all are welcome to meet and learn. An immigrant can come to the library to learn English and learn how to become a citizen. A teenager can sit a listen to music in their own special area or room. Preschoolers come I to the library for story time with singing and dancing, and craft activities. Seniors can come to the library to learn how to use a computer and the internet. Even the homeless are welcomed to the library to have a safe comfortable place from the weather, to search the internet, and to just use the restroom. The public library is free for all who enters.

References

Senville, W. (2009). Public libraries: The hub of our communities. Aplis, 22(3), 97-103.

Libraries and Student Success by L Stinson

“One door to the real world, the world outside of school, is the library.” (Kevin E. Baird) This is a great quote from the article Why Are Libraries Critical for Common Core Success? The article gives some good insights as to the school library’s role with the Common Core Curriculum. Part of the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) is introducing more non-fiction books to the elementary age students. The goal is to have the students to have nonfiction be at least 50% of their reading each day at school. With the students reading more nonfiction, the library’s nonfiction print collection needs to meet the student’s needs as well as the online sources for research need to be age appropriate and abundant. Not only should the resources be up to CCLS standards but the student’s interests and abilities need to be considered when ordering new materials.

The Librarian will also need to provide appropriate materials for the teachers in their classrooms such as materials to support the students reading and writing skills, in each classroom.

Part of the CCLS is to have reading comprehension programs online to track and provide data of the student’s progress in reading skills. The program that our school district libraries use is Renaissance which coordinates its scoring with the Accelerate Reader program levels.  Students and teachers are able to search for books on AR Bookfinder to choose books that are on the student’s reading level.  Students, parents, teachers and librarians can have access to these  web sites at:

http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx

https://hosted77.renlearn.com/139920/  (for teachers and students)

References

Baird, K. E. (2014). Why Are Libraries Critical for Common Core Success?. CSLA Journal, 38(1), 7-9.

Libraries and Home Schooling by Alison Thompson

Public libraries are becoming to home school families what school libraries are to public school students.  With more and more families choosing to home school their children, the need for the public library to play a more vital role in the lives of children is increasing.  According the the US Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics 2013 report, the rate of homeschooled children has risen over 17% in five years.  Many public libraries are assuming the role of curriculum specialists, lesson extenders, and research and social hubs for home school families.

Read about one library's Home School Enrichment classes here.  The Lovettsville Library in the Loudoun County, Virginia, Public Library system is providing exciting services to its home school families.  Another library that is leading the charge in support of home school families is the New Albany - Floyd County, Indiana, Public Library.  In her 2012 article, Make Room for Homeschoolers, Abby Johnson describes the many ways her library is serving the needs of home school families.  Her discovery that "children educated at home can help make a library  more fantastic", has impacted her planning as the Children's Services Manager.  Abby also has a personal blog, www.abbythelibrarian.com, where she shares some tips and tools of being a Children's Librarian. She also tosses in personal posts from time to time to entertain her readers.

The next time you're at your public library, see if you can find information about the current programs offered to home school families.  Why not volunteer to help with one of these events!

References:

Hunter, Christina. "The Perfect Partnership: Public Libraries and Homeschoolers." Publiclibraries.org. N.p., 9 Apr. 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

Johnson, Abby. "Make Room for Homeschoolers."Americanlibrariesmagazine.com. N.p., 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

Social networking and libraries by L Stinson

Social networking has changed many aspects of our lives today in 2016. And may very well continue to keep evolving in the coming years. Our current public libraries have become experts in the social networking area as this new way of life and learning has exploded in many ways. Here are a few networking programs that libraries participate in.

Many libraries have their own Facebook pages that show of their programs, current events, new books, daily quotes and links to their web page. On their website anyone can look at their catalog and check out books in print, audio, and ebooks. They also post photos of community events and accomplishments.

SDCL Facebook page –  https://www.facebook.com/sdcountylibrary/

To appeal to the younger adults, Twitter has become a library social networking tool also. Short expressions and thoughts are shared daily by millions of people. The library sends out tweets daily and many people communicate with the library in the manner by sharing quick ideas.

SDCL Twitter page – https://twitter.com/sdcountylibrary

Some libraries have found that posting new books and simple activities on Pinterest, another social network option, that they have many followers and these people read their subject boards daily.

O'Fallon Public Library Pinterest page– https://www.pinterest.com/ofallonlibrary/

YouTube is used by libraries to teach people how to access their online catalog, download an audio book and post videos of author interviews and book trailers. These videos can be very helpful to the library users.

San Diego Public Library YouTube page – https://www.youtube.com/user/sdpubliclibrary

References

King, D. L. (2015). Landscape of Social Media for Libraries. Library Technology Reports, 51(1), 10-15.

Libraries and Home Schooling by L Stinson

I have personal experience with Home Schooling children and how the public or community library is an essential to homeschooling families. We would go to the library every other week to look at books, get ideas of projects and check out books to read and movies to watch.  Libraries and Homeschoolers our Shared Common Ground states that in 2008 there were 50,000 home schoolers just in the state of Florida.  When we homeschooled it was in its beginning stages and did not have the school district organized programs as now. The neighbor children told my children that we were going to go to jail because it was against the law but at that time there were no laws for or against homeschooling. I homeschooled in our home for 5 years. My 2 oldest children when returning to school where very advanced in math and were placed in advance math classes along with all honors classes in high school. They took math classes at a junior college when the high school ran out of math classes for them. All 4 have college degrees, 2 of them have a master’s degree and one of those also has a doctorate.  

Homeschooling has become very popular in the last 15 years. Across our country it is now widely accepted that homeschooling really works well in place of the traditional classroom which is a great leap from the old thoughts that homeschooling would not only be detrimental to the children but they could never measure up to classroom students. It is known now that home schoolers will outperform other students. Now, “Savvy public libraries cater to homeschool users by developing daytime programs to serve them.” (T. Willingham). These programs range from book clubs, discussion groups to choirs. Having these supportive programs help the families by giving them more interaction with other children but it is often a wider range of age groups which is quite acceptable in homeschooling families as the students in the home are usually a variety of ages but they do many activities and studies together. These libraries have also contributed to the lifelong learning process that all teachers hope to plant the seeds for in the traditional classroom.

References:

Willingham, T. (2008). Libraries and Homeschoolers. Knowledge Quest, 37(1), 58-63. 

Social networking, libraries, and you!

he age of social media is in full swing. With it comes a flood of dynamic, current, and engaging content, available all the time. Expectations of entities has risen in kind. The public expects to be able to access an organization’s up-to-date website, receive updates about events in real time, and connect with employees or representatives instantly. Libraries are by no means exempt from these expectations. In fact, it is to the advantage of libraries to employ social media. The term “social media” means using a variety of mediums to connect to people. In this case, the new media that reach people are platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Blogger, and Youtube. Youtube usually doesn’t make this list of well-known social media, but it deserves to be. A huge amount of the content created for institutions and accessed by users are videos. Youtube deserves to make the big kids list of social media that libraries should incorporate in their use of social media. Want to recommend and share book reviews? There's an app for that via Goodreads. Other popular social media applications include Flickr, Vine, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Google Plus, and Vimeo.

eople are online, using social media to connect with family, friends, political parties, religious groups, news outlets, and public institutions. So if people use your library, why not allow them to connect to your library in a powerful, meaningful way? The benefits of using social media are huge for libraries. Making connections through social media is by far the best way to inform, empower, and excite your patrons. By having users follow the library on social media platforms, patrons will feel connected to an engaging community without setting foot in the library building. Events put on at the library are more likely to have good turnouts if they are promoted on social media. Social media disseminates information to a wider range of people. Posts or tweets essentially put the paper flyer of yesterday on all the screens of tomorrow. 

he internet is open for business 24/7, 365 days a year. Libraries, especially academic and public libraries, are poised to establish a permanent presence online. Beyond the walls of the physical library will emerge a new library, a 21st century entity with a strong, reliable online presence that will initially supplement the physical library. I believe that in time, we will come to enjoy the “library of the future” in which the communication to and from users will be instantaneous, electronic, and wireless. Social media can take us there.

So you may already use social media, have personal social media accounts, or even run your library’s Facebook page or Twitter account. Creating an official library account on a social media platform is the easier part. Managing accounts and making the most of social media to promote your library requires more effort. What are the best practices? How do I know my efforts on social media on behalf of the library are effective?

 irst, “official” accounts should be just that. Posts should be professional, relevant, and timely. Don’t combine personal and professional accounts. Remember that once something is posted, even if it is removed immediately, the information is still out there on the Internet. Think before you click. It may be a good move to write up a social media policy specifically for the library, especially if you work in a school or public library.

Secondly, there are many ways to ensure your efforts online pay off. Incorporating a news feed on the library’s main website is one way to keep visitors to the website informed of your tweets without ever going to Twitter or Facebook to follow you. Many libraries include a Twitter or Facebook feed on their homepages. Click here to see an example. Click here to learn how to create a Twitter feed on your website, here for Facebook. You can even add a Youtube channel to your webpage. Learn how here.

y and large, social media platforms understand that the people and institutions behind their pages are hungry for “big data” (King, 2015). Even though libraries and other non-profits aren’t trying to sell anything other than their services, the benefits of marketing metrics are enormous. Analytic features are built right in to Facebook and Twitter. Want to know how many people visited your page in the last month? How many new people are following you on Twitter? In order to make the most of your library’s presence on social media, learn how to access this treasure trove of information, gathered for you, for free, by the very platforms themselves. 

So what should you be keeping track of and why? The general idea behind social media metrics is to gather information that helps you make the most of your activity. The best way to achieve this is to monitor the activity, audience, engagement, and referral metrics (King, 2015). Knowing who is visiting your pages, opening your links, liking your posts, and when will help you tailor your online presence to best fit your library's patrons. The applications and platforms may be easy to create and access, but there is real strategy at play with any successful online presence. Be sure to gather data and adjust accordingly. Set goals for the library online. Developing a following takes time and dedication. Who is your audience? What applications do they already use? Which application or platform is appropriate for different posts/events/etc?

Here's a great example of tailoring a library's social media outreach to its patronage, from King, 2015, in regards to college freshman:

• Set up social media channels that your new fresh- men use. Are they on Facebook? Then you need to be there. Are they using Snapchat or Instagram? Think about setting up shop there.

*Create timely, useful content. For example, does your university have a freshman-experience class with homework assignments and due dates? Post information that helps the students turn the assignments in on time. Post hints, tips, and tricks to help students successfully complete assignments. Ask what they need, and then make sure to post responses. 

*Be quirky. Freshmen are still teenagers, and they tend to enjoy random, quirky things. So be a bit random and quirky once in a while. Share weird facts—about the university or the area surrounding the university. Share pop entertainment news. Answer any question: invite weird ones, and then answer them.

Know what's out there. Browse. Ask. Explore. Trial and error. Tinker. Tailor. Perfect. Win!

Looking for a guide to social media from a trusted source? The American Library Association has a book for you.

Ready to join a social media platform? Click on any social media icon to begin.

   

 Items of interest about social media and libraries:

*Youtube Video:  Q&A: The Librarian Way - Social Media

*Professional resource webpage: ALA’s Webinar: “Use of Social Media in the Library”

References:

King, David Lee. "Analytics, Goals, and Strategy for Social Media." Library Technology Reports 51.1 (2015): 26-32. Academic Search Premier [EBSCO]. Web. 19 Apr. 2016.

Social networking and libraries

                   
This video explains why public libraries need to include social media. In my opinion, I do agree that libraries need to include social media because if they do not then they are falling behind the times and they may become outdated and no one may visit it. There may be those that just love visiting the library for reading, but if the libraries do not stay up to date then they may lose patrons. They may lose their most important patrons of today, those that are tech and social media savvy. According to the article, Fact or Fiction? Libraries Can Thrive in the Digital Age",
          Today’s school library uses an increasing number of digital resources to supplement a print collection that is moving more toward  ction and literary non ction. Supplemental resources, includ- ing streaming video, online resources, subscription databases, audiobooks, e-books, and even games, round out the new collections. Digital is the future of information because it is faster, easier, more connected, and more flexible. (ERIC).
It is faster, easier, more connected and more flexible all due to the internet. The internet is what ultimately connects everyone to everything now a days. Now you do not need to be at the library to search for a book. You can just use their mobile app to see if they have a book or not. I am finding that using SDCL and SDPL's app is indeed making it easier for me to search for a book. I may not have the time to actually go to the library and search their shelves. So when I do not have the time, I have the app!

Libraries as social hubs

    Libraries are meat to be social hubs, where people can get together and read, or even do different activities. Libraries are not mean to just to be places to read, they are meant to be places where you can gather with your friends and do arts and crafts, chat quietly, or many other programs that the library may be putting on at that time. Libraries now a days are becoming spots, where they are trying their best to spear head different programs to encourage patrons to come in and experience the library. For example, at the Rancho Santa Fe Branch, there are different programs such as "Love on a Leash", the book clubs, the puppet shows for the kids, the arts and crafts for both kids and adults alike. For more information on what programs the San Diego County Library branches offer, please visit www.sdcl.org. According to the article "Creating shared campus experiences: the library as culture club", "Librarians can also selectively introduce culture to their user group, for instance, via storytimes for children, readings, curation of gallery space, and many other activities that make them partners in creating a social narrative" (Academic Search Premier). Not only can the library be used for programs and reading, it can also be used for your future. According to the article, "Future of Libraries",
                 As economic pressures wrought by the recession continue to squeeze millions of Americans, they are turning increasingly to the nation's libraries for help. Many are taking advantage of computer workstations to hunt for jobs and polish their résumés. Those who can no longer afford to buy DVDs or books are now borrowing them from the library. (CQ Researcher).



Please watch the above video to find out why libraries are such special and wonderful places to interact and be social.
             

Libraries and Student Success by Alison Thompson

"How do schools connect to the real world so so that students may prepare for the real world?  One door to the real world, the world outside of school, is the library." (Baird, Why Are Libraries Critical for Common Core Success, 2014).  There are many ways school libraries can support student success, especially with the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards.  While the new standards can be widely misunderstood, a school librarian, and library professionals, can be the front line for aligning school resources, both print and digital to the new standards.

Two specific roles for school libraries can be pairing non-fiction with classroom literature.  Our school libraries are filled with titles of informational text that are both appealing and relevant.  Our library professionals can support teachers by  helping them find resources that can support classroom instruction.  School libraries can also support real-world extensions and research in all classrooms for our middle schools and high schools.  With the new CCSS, a shift towards reading more non-fiction is occurring.  One-half of all reading across the school day should be non-fiction.

In order for schools to see their students succeed to their fullest, they should use their school libraries and library professionals to their fullest.  The updated school library should maintain a range of books on all non-fiction unit content areas, maintain audio, video and digital resources, and be ready to support students in their use of all resources, both print and digital.

Resources:

Baird, K.E. (2014). "Why Are Libraries Critical for Common Core Success?" CSLA Journal
     38(1) 7-9

Social Networking and Libraries by Alison Thompson

Libraries have discovered that the best way to promote their programs is through social media and social networking.  In a recent article by Terra Dankowski in American Libraries, we find that libraries are using social networking more than ever, and many are using many different platforms.  Most all public libraries and many public school libraries now have Facebook and Twitter pages.  But there are many others that are delving into the world of social networking by using LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and Google+.

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has discovered the easiest way to bring authors to readers is via Google Hangout.  Patrons can communicate directly with authors during pre-determined dates on Google Hangout.  The dates are advertised to the library's patrons via all forms of social media.  NYPL also uses LinkedIn to share what's happening for it's larger-name events.  It recently acquired May Angelou's archives via LinkedIn and posted them on it's own NYPL LinkedIn page.

YouTube is being used by many libraries to either demonstrate ways to use the library's digital resources, or to share quick videos about the library's programming.  YouTube is also being used by libraries to pass along information regarding arts and crafts, html programming, how-to's, and more.  Below is a video posted by the Allen County Public Library showing their Altered Book Workshop.

Below are even more examples of how libraries are using social media and social networking to promote their programs.

Facebook:Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library

Twitter: Kansas City Public Library

Tumblr: Darien Library

Flickr: Boston Public Library

References:

Dankowski, T. (2013) How Libraries Are Using Social Media. American Libraries. 

     44(5). 38-41

King, D.L. (2015). Landscape of Social Media for Libraries. Library Technology Reports. 

    51(1).

Libraries as Social Hubs by Alison Thompson

Libraries are continuing to become the center of communities all over the country.  It's hard to understand why some believe that libraries are a dying resource with the increased focus on digital resources and ebooks.  The truth is, libraries are more important now than ever.  An increasing move to have libraries be hubs of local communities is continues.  In last June's Library Journal's, LJ News-Branching Out, we learn about several cities that are making improvements to their community's libraries, or building new ones outright.  All of these libraries are projected to be the center of their communities.

The Anne Arundel County Public Library in Annapolis, MD, is set to complete renovations to it's 65,00 wuare foot Severna Park Community Library.  One of the exciting improvements is its Crofton Community Teen Space.  The Teen Space will feature new comfy seating, new carpeting, new Mini Mac computers and a Wi-Fi bar and charging station.  The site will attract teens to an updated, safe, meeting space.  The library has become a hub for the area's teens, sponsoring an annual Teen Art Contest and displaying remarkable teen art samples.

Another public library that is adding a new space to it's list of branches, is the Chula Vista Public Library system.  In March, the held the grand opening of the HUB, a 2000 square foot space located in the Otay Ranch Town Center.  It includes a US Passport Processing Center and will have room for special events, story times, meetings, tutoring and classes.  It will serve the local area as a vital community resource center.

Another library that is focusing on programs for teens and children is the Boston Public Library.  This Fall, the Jamaica Plain Branch will undergo it's first extensive renovation in over 50 years.   It's new teen zone and children's section will house a dedicated Maker Space, with access to a 3-D printer and graphics-editing software.  It will be a state of the art hub for the area's children and teens.

Last May, New Orleans voters went to the polls and agreed to raise property taxes in order to add over $8 million a year to the New Orleans Public Library system.  The improvements began in January and staffing increases have been made to ensure all libraries will be open seven days a week.  In addition, a rebuilding of the 7th Ward's Nora Navra Library, damaged by Hurricane Katrina, will take place. Extensive improvements of all the NOPL branches will take place, ensuring the communities have access to all the services in updated community hubs.

As we move deeper into the digital age, libraries are becoming more and more important to its patrons.  Local governments are trying to reach deeper in order to fund these vital community hubs.

References:

Fox, B. (2015) BRANCHING OUT. Library Journal, 140(10) 16-17