We're excited to announce the second of three Library 2.016 online mini-conferences: "Library as Classroom," June 15th, 2016, from 12:00 - 3:00pm US-Pacific Time (click for your own time zone).
In A New Culture of Learning, authors Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown write, “Where imaginations play, learning happens.” This could and should define our services for now and in the future. The library as creative classroom means we approach the learning opportunities we create with thought, user-directed planning, and insights from research. This classroom may include physical spaces for instruction and discovery as well as online, multiscale platforms aimed at social learning and participation.
Libraries of all kinds serve as formal and informal creative classrooms, supporting learners by employing emerging strategies in learning and engagement. These include: play, collaborative exploration of ideas and technologies, and other innovations. There are notable examples of academic, public, and K-12 library spaces that have become creative classrooms. These feature community learning spaces to help learners achieve, game-focused initiatives that make the library a laboratory for exploration, creation zones with requisite digital and 3-D hardware for building things, and potentially endless opportunities to connect virtually with people worldwide.
The library as classroom requires inspired and insightful management that can do those things and more. The library as classroom also requires well-trained, user-focused staff who understand how people of all ages can learn socially. Art programs, DIY tinkering, locally sourced expert forums, and LOOCs (local open online courses) are all part of this curriculum.
This is a free event, being held online. Please register HERE to attend live or to receive the recording links.
Please also join this Library 2.0 network to be kept updated on this and future events.
Participants are encouraged to use #library2016 and # on their social media posts leading up to and during the event.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS:
We will have a limited number of slots for presenter sessions. The call for proposals will is here. We encourage all who are interested in presenting to submit.
WEBINAR PLATFORM:
The sessions will be held in Blackboard Collaborate, and can be accessed live from any personal computer and most mobile devices. Verify that you are using a compatible version of Java (Complete Steps 1 and 2). Additional information will be sent with the final conference information after registration.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
 |
Michael Stephens Assistant Professor in the School of Information at San Jose State University @mstephens7 Dr. Michael Stephens is Assistant Professor in the School of Information at San Jose State University. He presents to both national and international audiences about emerging technologies, learning, innovation, and libraries. Since 2010, Dr. Stephens has written the monthly column “Office Hours” for Library Journal exploring the issues, ideas, and emerging trends in libraries and LIS education. To review Dr. Stephen’s archive of work, visit his Tame the Web website and blog http://tametheweb.com. http://tametheweb.com/ Opening Keynote Panel: Defining the Library as Classroom |
 |
Michael Casey Information Technology Director for the Gwinnett County Public Library @michaelecasey Michael Casey is currently the Information Technology Director for the Gwinnett County Public Library in metropolitan Atlanta. Named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal in March 2007, he co-authored (with Michael Stephens) “The Transparent Library” (2014, Amazon KDP) and he co-authored (with Laura Savastinuk) “Library 2.0: A Guide to Participatory Library Service” (2007, Information Today Press) and is a contributor to “Library 2.0 and Beyond” (2007, Libraries Unlimited). He and Michael Stephens co-authored a monthly column in Library Journal titled “The Transparent Library“. He has written and spoken extensively on the subject of modern library services. Michael holds an MLS from Southern Connecticut State, an MA in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University, and a BA from Duquesne University. https://about.me/michaelecasey Opening Keynote Panel: Defining the Library as Classroom |
 |
Brian Kenney Director of the White Plains Public Library @brian_kenney Librarian, editor, and author Brian Kenney, Ph.D., is the director of the White Plains Public Library (NY) and a Contributing Editor to Publishers Weekly. Previously he was the editorial director of Library Journal and School Library Journal. His misspent youth was spent working in libraries in New York City, including the Brooklyn Public Library and the Metropolitan Museum. His research interest is in understanding the experience of adults reading for pleasure. Opening Keynote Panel: Defining the Library as Classroom |
 |
Joyce Valenza Assistant Professor in the Master of Information Program, Rutgers University @joycevalenza After completely 25 years of joyful practice as a teacher librarian in K12 education, Joyce Valenza joined the faculty of Rutgers University where she is an Assistant Professor in the Master of Information program. Joyce has worked in special, public, and school libraries. She recently published the Social Media Curation, a Library Technology Report for ALA. Joyce writes the NeverendingSearch Blog for School Library Journal and contributes to several other library and edtech publications. She is active in AASL, ALA, ALISE and ISTE and considers herself one of the godmothers of the #tlchat network. http://about.me/jvalenza Opening Keynote Panel: Defining the Library as Classroom |
 |
Jessamyn West Library Technologist @jessamyn Jessamyn West is a librarian and community technologist. She helps run the Internet Archive's Open Library project and writes a column for Computers in Libraries magazine. She works with small libraries and businesses in Central Vermont to help them use technology to solve problems. http://www.librarian.net/ Opening Keynote Panel: Defining the Library as Classroom |
 |
Sean Casserly Director of the Johnson County Library Sean has worked in the library field for more than 20 years. He has an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and a graduate degree in Library Information Science. He has been the Director of the Johnson County Library for the last 4 years. In his spare time he likes to travel with his wife and read. Closing Keynote |
