ALA 2017

Stay and Play: Create Open Library Spaces and STEM Material Collections for Play-Based Discovery Programming Cambridge, Ontario, Canada Idea Exchange , formerly known as Cambridge Public Libraries) serves a community of 133,000 people. They presented a talk about transforming their space, programs and collections to promote more play and discovery. "By changing one, we had to address all three." They asked questions like: "Do your programs have to be in the program room?" "How much space do your collections deserve?" Problem: Too much stuff "We have a different sort of lens when it comes to garbage... We wait for a day it can become a castle, a Minecraft program..." The problem is, "It's NOT OUR STUFF." The programming stuff only serves a purpose if it's used. Problem: Not enough space for program attendees They have 50 programs for children every week! Long lines, disgruntled patrons... (sound familiar?) They ha...

I made an effort to attend as many STEAM sessions as I could while I was at ALA, and probably the best one I attended was this one about High-Impact STEM Events to Foster Collaboration. There I was able to hear and meet Liz McChesney, director of Chicago Public Library , and Brian Wunar of the Museum of Science and Industry , who shared how they collaborated on science programs at both the museum and the library. Both CPL and MSI had a similar audience and a similar mission: they came together "to serve the same children." CPL's Areas of Impact are: Building basic literacy, building digital, informational and cultural literacy, advancing critical thinking and problem solving, advancing creativity and innovation and fostering communication and collaboration. Brian showed us MSI's "Steering Wheel" diagram for what their mission is: Youth are at the Center, encircled by Families, Communities and Schools which all give influence and support to Youth. As an o...