News You Can Use
ConnectedLib helps library staff to incorporate digital technologies into their work with youth to promote connections across learning contexts. Faculty members from the library and information science (LIS) schools at the University of Washington and University of Maryland teamed up with Providence Public Library, Seattle Public Library, and Kitsap Regional Library to create a free professional development course that supports library staff in their efforts to leverage emerging technologies and promote youth’s connected learning experiences via libraries. Library staff can also earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for a nominal fee using our online course.
Public libraries serve a variety of traditionally underserved youth populations, including rural, immigrant, and low-income youth. For many of these youth, finding and connecting to learning programs for 21st century skills is difficult. ConnectedLib has responded directly to this need by working with in-service librarians to create a suite of professional development resources aimed at building library staff’s capacity to engage and promote connected learning and 21st century skills among today’s digital youth. These resources include holistic training programs that delineate the techniques, strategies, programs and best practices that current youth-serving staff can tap into to implement connected learning experiences through their libraries. Our online learning modules cover the following topics:
-Introduction to Connected Learning
-Connected Learning Programming
-Youth Development
-Mentoring
-Design Thinking
-Community Partnerships
-Community Mapping
-Capacity
- Assessment & Evaluation
ConnectedLib is led by Drs. Katie Davis (University of Washington) and Mega Subramaniam (University of Maryland) in partnership with YALSA, Kitsap Regional Library, Providence Public Library, and Seattle Public Library. This project is generously supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What is Connected Learning? Developed by Mimi Ito and members of the Connected Learning Alliance, the connected learning framework emphasizes creative and social learning experiences that are driven by learners’ personal interests. “Connected learning combines personal interests, supportive relationships, and opportunities. It is learning in an age of abundant access to information and social connection that embraces the diverse backgrounds and interests of all young people” (Connected Learning Alliance, 2018). The “connected” in connected learning refers to connecting in-school and out-of-school learning, connecting interests to opportunities, and connecting the learner to peers and mentors.
ALA Unit/Subunit: YALSA
Meeting Type: News You Can Use
Cost: Included with full conference registration.
Open/Closed: Open
Mega Subramaniam
Associate Professor
University of Maryland
Milly Romeijn-Stout
Doctoral Student
University of Washington