public libraries

Libraries Are The New Makerspaces

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legosMaker education is a new term that has popped up a lot recently in educational circles. Creating spaces for students to have hands-on learning teaches them skills that they might not find in a traditional classroom, like being innovative and thinking outside the box. Also, maker education can gear students towards careers in design, engineering, math, media and research. Most importantly students develop vital problem solving skills that are useful in any career they choose in the future.

Recently, I had a discussion with my friend Chris, who is a high school computer science teacher at a private school. He told me that his school has turned the library into a dedicated makerspace, where students can put their knowledge to work with coding and robotics.

“My principal became worried that less students were using the library to borrow books, since they can do all their research on their iPhones and download books,” Chris said. “This way we are reinventing what the library can be and serve our students in a more relevant way. The kids are actually more excited to go to the library now because they know they can create something cool there.”

Mind you, Chris works for an elite private school with high tuition, so the school can afford to create a full-time makerspace, unlike many public schools around the country that are lucky if they even have books in their libraries. This made me think about how makerspaces would fit into the context of public community libraries. Now I am not advocating that libraries should completely convert themselves into makerspaces, but like school libraries, public libraries are looking to stay relevant in the digital age. Circulation is down in many community libraries as more people choose Amazon and Wikipedia for books and research, respectively.

Recently, my local library started a LEGO club for kids. I see the final products the kids make, and they are pretty awesome! I don’t think makerspaces are going to completely replace libraries, but rather, work together in the same space with the common goal of providing a quality learning experience.
Here’s why I think this way:

Libraries and makerspaces are resourceful: Students have access to both print and digital books, research materials and other resources that are not usually accessible, even on the Internet. Likewise, makerspaces provide access to physical materials that would otherwise be too expensive for an individual to purchase on their own. For example, my library purchased several orders of the LEGO Creative Suite, which totaled over $400. They are free to use for participants in the LEGO club. Many of the kids come from low to middle income households, and making such a purchase would be inaccessible for many of them.

Blending interdisciplinary education: Libraries are full of books that span a wide variety of academic subject matters and contribute to idea creation which supports innovation in makerspaces. Alternatively, students experimenting in makerspaces will want to use the resources in the library. Many of the kids in the LEGO club look at books in the library about engineering and robotics design.

Librarians and Maker Educators lead on innovation: Both of them can be more flexible than traditional teachers in setting up customized workshops, mentorship and guidance based on specific learning needs. The head librarian at my local library played a big role in setting up the LEGO club and picking out books and materials with the maker educator for the kids.

Sense of community: Libraries are naturally informal gathering spaces for community members. Users don’t just come to borrow books, they also attend a wide variety of programming, like book clubs and children’s events. They are also social equalizers. No matter what background, race, age, gender or income, every and anyone can go to a library and gain knowledge. Makerspaces work in the same way.

It’s important to find that perfect balance between public libraries and makerspaces and how they can better serve their communities as this discussion continues in the near future.

Public Libraries: The New Innovation Districts?

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librarycomputer

Three years ago, we wrote a post on Global Wire’s blog about the future of American public libraries.  As print media dies a slow death, I think a lot about how this essential institution for free expression and intellectual stimulation can stay relevant in the digital age.

Previously we had mentioned that libraries could truly become community centers that offer a variety of social services, especially in traditionally underserved communities.

How about this idea: what if public libraries were turned into innovation districts.  It is a trendy term referring to, according to the Brookings Institution, “geographic areas where leading edge anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with startups, business incubators and accelerators.  They are also physically compact, transit-accessible and technically-wired and offer mixed use housing, offices and retail.”

Here are some ideas:

Housing startups and coworking spaces:  Most public libraries are struggling with limited budgets and resources. Maybe they should consider renting out spaces to local entrepreneurs and their staff who need a space to experiment new ideas for products and services.  Also, many freelancers already use their local libraries as a workspace for the free WiFi.  Maybe libraries could charge premium fees to freelancers for additional amenities like access to copy/print/scan/fax equipment, mail service, storage lockers and private meeting spaces.  The biggest barrier to this is many people probably don’t feel comfortable with libraries housed in taxpayer-funded public buildings taking rent money from private enterprise.  I would argue that if libraries were to rent out the space, it should be to businesses and freelancers who are creating products and services that directly serve and impact the library’s neighborhood, like a community service oriented, social enterprise.  For example, freelance web developers who build websites for local nonprofits or a company that offers entrepreneurship internships for local youth.

Professional development/training spaces for community members: In the previous post on libraries 2.0, we suggested turning libraries into community media centers, where people can come learn how to use their use e-readers, download free e-books and audiobooks and learn how to better use the Internet.  I would go one step further and suggest libraries offer both free and paid sessions on professional development issues like job search and interviewing skills and salary negotiation.  It would also offer vocational training like entrepreneurship, marketing, graphic design and web development.  Considering that unemployment is still pretty high in many communities, these services could offer great opportunities for those still looking for jobs or new careers.  Sessions could be taught by local entrepreneurs who want to share their skills with others and identify potential new hires.

Networking/Project Nights: I go to a lot of networking events to meet up with other like-minded professionals, but I have to go all the way downtown to attend them.  It would be nice to host such events at local libraries where I can meet up with people doing interesting things in my own neighborhood.  It would also be pretty cool to have project nights at the library and be able to present and receive feedback on a new idea I am working on.

Those are my new ideas for now.  I am sure I will have new ones to post very soon.

Broadband Access and Human Rights

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Between attending the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Summit and hosting my own broadband webinar last week, I have a lot of ideas on the subject.  Broadband access is now viewed by many as the new digital divide.  In the United States, 19 million people don’t have high-speed Internet access, and 14 million of those without access live in rural areas.  While there have been many efforts by grassroots activists, tech firms and policy makers to close the digital gap, many are advocating that broadband is a human rights issue and that universal access is the only solution to the problem.

During a recent conversation on the subject, Susan Crawford, former Obama adviser and author of Captive Audience, said that one of the main barriers to access is the high price for broadband being charged by a monopoly of telecommunications firms. “A hundred years ago, many people thought that electricity was a luxury,” she said.  ”It took a decade to make sure everyone had electricity.  At the time there were special interest groups that wanted to make sure only rich people had it.  We succeeded as a nation because we realized that it was better for everyone’s quality of life to have electricity.” Universal broadband access improves everyone’s quality of life by leveling the playing field for marginalized communities.  Many things we do in our lives are now required to be done online, like applying for jobs and other resources or accessing health records.  Furthermore, the Internet is no longer dial-up friendly.  The vast majority of websites today are designed to be viewed using high-speed Internet. But what about mobile phones?  Yes, mobile technology has greatly helped to reduce the digital divide.  

As a matter of fact, it is expected that more people will access the Internet on their mobiles than on a PC by this year.  But there are limitations to using mobiles as well, such as slower connections based on what phone and/or carrier used and smaller screens.  It is also harder to type long-form documents like resumes and term papers on a mobile. But what about public libraries?  Yes, public libraries have led the path to more Internet access in marginalized communities.

However, most libraries have time limits on computer use, and because many times they are not well maintained, the computers may have viruses and break easily and often.  Also, some librarians are not digitally literate and are not the most useful in helping those seeking computer help, although this is changing in many communities. During the Broadband Summit, Rep. Doris Matsui said she was planning on reintroducing the Broadband Affordability Act in Congress in the next few weeks.  The original bill required “the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a broadband lifeline program enabling qualifying low-income customers residing in urban and rural areas to purchase broadband service at reduced charges by reimbursing providers for each such customer served.”  The Act would also mandate that it “be similar in structure to the Lifeline program for basic telephone service, prevent awarding duplicate subsidies for an individual eligible household, and promote competition from broadband service providers by using neutral technology.”

But this is not just an issue of price.  There is also a good number of people who don’t have access because they are digitally illiterate, don’t understand why having broadband access is relevant in their lives and/or have a distrust for sensitive Internet activities, like online banking.  During both the summit and our webinar, I got many new ideas on how to convince more people to support better broadband access.  Some of these ideas are already being implemented by many government agencies and organizations, including Global Wire Associates.

  • making it easier to use electronics, i.e. instruction on how to use newly purchased gadgets
  • culturally sensitive trainings, i.e. instruction in different languages
  • community-specific trainings, i.e. senior citizens, veterans, entrepreneurs and ex-offenders – “meeting people where they are”
  • making technology more technically accessible, i.e. instructing visually and hearing impaired individuals with larger keyboards and IP Relay
  • offering free or discounted tablets to low-income students and residents, such as having a comparable tech program to the school lunch program
  • encourage multi-generational Internet trainings
  • using high schools and community colleges after hours for computer training
  • turning public libraries into fully functioning community media centers