From Boardbook to Facebook: Children'S Services in an Interactive Age

Discover new approaches for extending children's library services beyond the library building and learn how to utilize technology to bring learning to children wherever they may be. The ways in which we communicate, learn, and interact have changed drastically in the last decade, and this worldwide revolution applies to the youngest members of society as well. Today's books and learning materials are being presented and used in new and different ways. From the toddler's first boardbooks to the young teen's conversations on Facebook, children are interacting with print and media rather than passively listening or viewing. Libraries can contribute to this interactive world by inviting children to take an active role in their library collection and library service experiences. This book examines the impact of new technologies on children's experiences of books and libraries, and demonstrates how librarians can adapt to new technologies and integrate library services into the lives of today's children. From Boardbook to Facebook: Children's Services in an Interactive Age draws on current research to illuminate how children's use of media has changed in recent years and suggests ways in which new technologies can be integrated into library services now and in the future.

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS Preface Chapter 1: Children's Services Moving into the Future Are Libraries for Children Still Important? What Do Libraries as Institutions Offer to Children? What Do Library Services Offer to Children? How Do Today's Children Interact with Media? Barriers to Libraries' Use of Modern Technologies for Children Matching Library Services to Children's Needs SECTION I: CHANGES IN CHILDREN'S LIVES Chapter 2: How Have Services to the Youngest Changed? Where Libraries Are Now Programs for Babies and Toddlers Programs for Preschoolers Electronic Enhancements for Programming Bridging the Gap between Home Media and Library Media Using Interactive Media to Facilitate Services Encouraging Ongoing Adult Engagement in Children's Programming Points about Preschoolers Chapter 3: What Has Changed for Children from Five to Nine? Starting School and the Changes That Brings The Difference Reading Makes Learning to Read Practical Value of Reading Changing Media World of School-Age Children Traditional Media New Forms of Media What Does the Proliferation of Media Mean to Libraries? The Disappearing Parent Growing Importance of Peer Group Gender Becomes More Important What Libraries Are Doing for School-Age Children After-School Programs Summer Reading Programs Integrating Library Programs with the Larger Media World After-School Programs Interactivity Is the Key Chapter 4: What's New for 'Tweens and Teens? Digital Natives Heading toward Adulthood Changing Interactions with Technology Effects of Technology Changes Who Needs the Library? No Time for the Library No Interest in the Library No Need for Bricks and Mortar What Libraries Are Doing for 'Tweens and Teens Traditional Programs for Older Children The Big Move—Leaving the Children's Department Patterns of Teen Collections in Libraries Choices for the Location of Teen Collections Keeping Teenagers in the Loop Getting Input from 'Tweens and Teens Responsibilities to Emerging Adults SECTION II: LITERACIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Chapter 5: Changing Literacies for the 21st Century Definitions of Literacy Importance of Print Literacy Social Advantages of Print Literacy Major Causes of Illiteracy Worldwide Other Factors Limiting the Development of Print Literacy Where Do Libraries Fit In? Providing Print Materials for Non-English Speakers Eliminating Social Barriers to Literacy Working with Other Community Groups Visual and Media Literacy Understanding Pictures in Print Print Images in Different Formats Understanding Digital Images Multicultural Literacy Building a More Multicultural Library Collection Technology and Multicultural Literacy Chapter 6: Developing Information Literacy How Do Multiple Literacies Affect Information Seeking? Changes in Collections Changes in Options for Searching Merging Information from Different Formats Library Instruction Formulating Questions and Finding Sources Formulating a Question Locating Sources Evaluating Information Recognizing a Reliable Source—Criteria for Various Formats Collaborative Information Seeking Collaborative Projects for Children Librarians Working on Collaborative Projects Some Basics of Information Literacy SECTION III: BUILDINGS FOR THE FUTURE Chapter 7: Changing Library Buildings to Meet Changing Needs Evolution of Children's Library Departments 1900–1920 1920–1940 1945–Present Factors that Influence Building Design for Children New Forms for Libraries Digital Libraries for Children Hybrid Libraries Looking Ahead to a Seamless Blended Library Chapter 8: Designing a Blended Library Components of a Blended Library Library Portals Secondary Portals—Entrance to the Children's Department What Message Does the Portal Send? Sub-Portals—Access Points within the Library Online Portals How Can the Blended Library Coordinate Its Designs? Online Portals for Mobile Devices Blending Physical and Electronic Media Print and Print-Based Materials Visual Electronic Materials Provision for Face-to-Face Interactions Staffing for Blended Libraries Overview of the Blended Library SECTION IV: PREPARING TO MEET THE FUTURE Chapter 9: Preparing for Service in the New Children's Library Librarians as Managers Understanding the Audience Knowing the Community Planning a Program of Services Building Collections Making the Collection Accessible Delivering Information Services Providing Educational and Recreational Programs Forming Partnerships in the Community Evaluating Services Surveys Statistics Observation Marketing the Library's Services Designing a Marketing Plan Being Visible in the Community Using Technology Maintaining Professional Contacts Attending Conferences Working on Committees Keeping in Touch Overview of a Changing Profession Chapter 10: Making Change Happen Taking Stock of What You Have Finding Allies for Change Colleagues Professional Contacts Community Members Starting Change Start with the Easy Steps Maintaining Momentum Maintaining Conditions for Continual Change Setting Up Communications for Marketing Examples of Youth Library Marketing Hearing from Teenagers in San Francisco Blogging for Parents and Younger Children in New Jersey Keeping Colleagues on Board Children and Change References and Further Reading Index

About the Author :
Adele M. Fasick is professor emerita of the faculty of information studies at University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and teaches at San José State University, CA.

Review :
This is an essential read for anyone in our profession, and lucky for us Fasick has an inviting, smooth writing style. I enjoyed reading this as much as I do narrative nonfiction—she is clear, to the point, and offers great examples of what she is discussing. Whether you are a youth services librarian who started before we had computers, to those 'digital natives' who are newer librarians, this will have something for you. It is wonderful that Fasick is so positive and optimistic—it is clear the 'death' of the library is just not true, especially if we are able to lead our communities which are already embracing technological innovations.