key issues & developments for ict in public libraries and their impact on children
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A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
Our electronic future: key issues & developments for ICT in Public Libraries and their impact on children
Penny GarrodUKOLNUniversity of BathBath, BA2 7AY
[email protected]://www.ukoln.ac.uk/
UKOLN is supported by:
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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UKOLN national focus of expertise in digital information
management based at the University of Bath funded by:
JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee: Higher & Further Education sector);
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
plus project funding (e.g. EU and JISC) around 27 staff carries out applied research (e.g. in metadata),
software development and provides policy and advisory services
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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ICT in UK public libraries: focusing on young users
Key Questions for librariansWhat do today’s children and young people want from libraries?What are their expectations? What sort of services should libraries be providing?What do they actually need?How can libraries link in with schools, social services and all the other agencies dealing with children? How can libraries attract and retain children and young people?Can/should public libraries collaborate with private sector: ethical issues; money needed to sustain and develop services; public libraries offer free services.
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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UK children: creating library services to meet their needs and expectations Children are increasingly consumer
oriented and materialistic Their worlds revolve around popular
culture: TV; pop and football stars; films, computer games etc.
They like and use modern technology: it’s “cool” (82% of 14-16 year olds own mobile phones); use games computers
They like the Internet and interactive media
Many have poor literacy skills and find reading difficult and books
‘boring’
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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What do children need?Help with literacy, numeracy and ICT skillsdevelop information literacy/ research
skills; foster inquiring mindsencourage reading and promote books as
relevant to their lives; libraries as places to ‘hang out’ with friends and use ICT
develop the creative imagination & thinking skills
motivate them to learn and to experiment with books, the Internet and multimedia
?Can ICT in libraries help with these?
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Learning from the best: examples of good practice
Library Websites: Portal approach: developed & designed specifically for
children & young people
links to quality assured educational resources & pre-selected sites*
Interactive features
Quizzes and gamesSubmit book reviewsLinks to other library materials: videos, DVDs, CDs etc ..
Publicise homework clubs; out of school
activities
*filtering software has limitations
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Examples of good practice
Web-based servicesTreasure Island UKOLN 1997 pilot for Stories from the WebStories from the Web Birmingham Libraries: (website +clubs)
Library web sitesSuffolk County Council – children’s Book Zone; ‘fun sites’; links and activities;Hillingdon - links include National Grid for Learning approved site e.g. ‘Dot’s Den’Nottinghamshire Libraries – builds on young children’s interests
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Treasure Island – the website
/
http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/treasure
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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One of three Treasure Island activities
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Stories from the Webhttp://www.storiesfromtheweb.org/index.htm
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Suffolk County Council - Cyberlibrary for children
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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London Borough of Hillingdon
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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Nottingham: children’s page http://www.nottscc.gov.uk/libraries/
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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ICT in Libraries: possible future scenarios?
3rd generation mobile phones & PDAs: converged technologiesEbooks: graphic books; key school textsVirtual libraries: focus on websites and
e-learning - less on buildings and bookstockWeb sites: increasingly adopt commercial models e.g. AmazonShared Information Environment: schools, museums, libraries, colleges, health & social services + retail & media: share resources & work in partnership. (public sector ethos versus consumerism?)
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
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ConclusionsICT represents opportunity to capture hearts and minds of young people and make libraries relevant to their livesReading and literacy – harness interactive capability of the Internet to encourage children to read and improve literacy and information skills 21st century children have high expectations based on consumer models and are happy using modern technologyExamples of good practice but not widespread – invest in children- they are the future
Any Questions?