Today’s libraries promote the use of their physical space for collaborative, social opportunities. With so much of our day-to-day interactions happening in a digital arena, neighborhoods and schools need a way to encourage more face-to-face communication and community building IRL -- or, in real life, if you don’t speak using acronyms.
In practice, face-to-face interactions reinforce an overriding principle of digital citizenship: How we act in the digital world should be the same as how we connect to one another in person - with honesty, kindness, and patience. In person, whether saying something thoughtful or something cruel, we see a response -- perhaps a smile or reddening cheeks, the human reaction -- and have to respond to that. A chance for direct relations supports “putting a face” to the static usernames and profile pictures showing up in our social media feeds and on our screens.
This school year, Jennifer Hurley, Media Specialist for the TJM media center, and Amanda Fack, Youth Services Librarian for the Valparaiso Public Library, have partnered to offer more of the social opportunities that allow students to merge with others they might not normally hang out with. The need to work together, to offer solutions and feedback, emphasizes #TheTJMSWay of collaboration, helping to establish the behaviors that students should exhibit at all times.
Elizabeth Krutz, Principal of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, supports the structured learning opportunities: “Students have fun with the hands-on activities, like making slime and bottle cap locker magnets; but, more importantly, students build a sense of community with one another by partaking in these shared interests.”
Students engage the creative and analytical sides of their brain while completing projects or participating in activities. They also begin to see the library as more than just a place to check-out books or to read (though, those features are awesome!); our media center becomes a connecting point for organic learning and inquiry, for discovering not just resources - but also a bit more about who we are.
Further, during the upcoming summer break, our students have a face to look for while visiting the public library, which offers a summer reading program and hands-on events for the community. Youth Services Librarian Amanda Fack adds: “We appreciate the chance to bring these creative experiences to students. We also take advantage of the opportunity to discuss all the free public library resources available to students.”
With summer break right around the corner, how nice that students have another safe, supportive atmosphere to connect in and collaborate in until the school year begins again.