Definitions and Services

By now I can see that most of you are well into your reading (and reflection) in Topics 1 & 2, so I thought I would share a few additional learning points.

When it comes to discussing information literacy, readers's education and bibliographic instruction, the changing environment of our libraries and our society needs to be kept at the back of your mind.  Read and research beyond the core definitions, so that you can begin to formulate a clear overall view of how libraries can support children and young adults.

For example, this compilation of Information Literacy Models makes it clear that there is a great deal 'behind' terms and models.  You are not expected to be familiar with all this - but you do need to understand that a simple definition from any model or organisation must be placed within the context of the actual services being provided by a library.  Understanding Information Literacy: A Primer from UNESCO explains that ‘information literacy has become a new paradigm in the information and communication landscape and the importance of information literacy to empower people in all parts of the world in the personal and social goals.

The challenge before us is to

• Trade in our existing good methods of service provision and tools for substantially better ones!!
• Look into better ways for literacy and information promotion 
• Look into better ways for involving our young people in our libraries
• Work in better ways to distribute news, resources and community support
• Create a community of reading & enquiry that is simultaneously one-to-one and one-to-many
• Embed new tools and new techniques into our daily practices
• Promote change playfully!

Take a look at this video, and consider how the new media literacies might impact your knowledge and understanding of library services. 



Our libraries are involved in a culture of participation through the opportunity we have to harness the  capabilities of Web 2.0 to access the power of worldwide communities at any time, in any place, for inspiration, ideas, mentoring - drawing on the knowledge of peers, friends, professional colleagues and external experts as needed. 

Culture of Participation

What our kids and teenagers want, or need, will not be anything like the libraries of 10-15 years ago.  New media (Web 2.0) tools give library users a participatory role in the services libraries offer and the way they are used. Embracing it becomes necessary so as to be in a position to respond to changing user needs and ensuring the library is in a strong position to meet those needs effectively now and in the future.





Put your library into context!  The report from OCLC called Perceptions of Libraries, 2010 is available via a link here from OCLC  and   is an easy document to scan through to see the bigger picture. Choose your download options if you want to take a look.   From there you can build your own response to the principles of children's services which includes your understanding of information literacy, readers education, and bibliographic instructions...and more!

Sections of particular interest are:

The Library Brand 2010
Teens and Young Adults

Image: Culture of Participation