2019-04-19 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 3, Issue 3

Featured Story

Code is Magic

I grew up a nerdy kid, with a nerdy family. My dad worked at IBM for the first few years of my life, and he brought home outdated equipment frequently. It wasn’t unusual for my siblings and I to sit down in the living room and take apart a computer and put it back together again. Through our childhood, building computer games and fake viruses to put on mom’s computer were as normal as baking cookies and learning to ride a bike. It wasn’t until years later that I realized the gift my parents gave me by allowing free reign over a computer from an early age, and the tools to make it my own. Admittedly, I spent most of my time playing every variation of solitaire (which is also the sole reason I have linux dual boot on any computer), but having access to a digital playground changed my relationship with technology. It became more than entertainment – it was a tool that I could use to create things.

Libraries have this unique capacity as centers for informal learning, which makes us the perfect place to explore digital literacy. There’s a phrase that math educators use a lot, that perfectly describes what Idaho libraries have been doing with our Make It program for years – “Low Floors, High Ceilings.” We create opportunities for learning that can be accessed by anyone. At unBound, we like to say “we can teach you step one and step two, then show you where to find steps 3-3000.” Lowering entry points to technological skills comes through both providing access, and enough freedom for learners to self-direct.

People still have this tendency to hear “computer science” or “computational thinking” and kinda take a step back, like “whoa, that’s not for me,” and I think a lot of that comes from fear of the unknown. In libraries, we teach critical early literacy skills all the time, and some of these, like pattern recognition, are also computational thinking skills. You don’t have to be a computer expert to start introducing computational thinking skills during a story time, or to provide a maker activity that encourages algorithmic thinking. Most board games accomplish this.

Aside from already having all of the skills and resources to teach computer science, there’s one more big reason libraries should be hosting coding clubs, and talking about computational thinking. Because we are already democratizing access, we can encourage under-represented groups to see computer science as a tool for everyone.

There are a million and one resources out there to teach computer science, but when it comes down to it, all that really matters is enthusiasm and access. I challenge everyone to find a new way to add computer science or computational thinking to a library program.

– Alex Johnatakis, Meridian Library District

Fail Forward

We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.

Designing service point for desired outcome instead of actual use

When designing a new circulation desk location a few years ago, the library chose a smaller, more friendly-looking desk with several self-checkout machines close by. The plan was to staff the desk with one staff member at all times, with room for a second staff member during rushes. Most of the check-out functions would be handled by the self-checkout machines, freeing the staff member to work on account functions that could not be done without staff interaction. During this planning, we failed to look at how our patrons were using the previous circulation desk layout, and how they wanted to access their accounts. Immediately we had many more patrons that preferred to check out books at the service desk instead of using the self-checkout machines. Because the desk was only designed for one staff member plus a second during rush periods, it got crowded fast when we needed two staff members during open hours, with the option of a third staff member at times. Over the past two years we have tried to make room to accommodate more staff members without sacrificing the service that our patrons are requesting. In the end it required a complete re-design of the area, with additional furniture to make the area comfortable for both patrons and staff. This might have been avoided if we had planned for how patrons were using the original service area instead of planning for how we wanted them to use it.

– Mike Sloan, Nampa Public Library

Crush Corner

Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!

Kids Krushing It!

I’m really crushing on these maker kids who are using our Makerspace this week. We recently added a classroom set of 3D pens bought from a grant awarded by our local Rotary. The challenge this week was to see how tall you could make a structure before it collapsed. They could only use their pens and a straw. I was surprised at their ingenuity and creativity in completing this challenge. Here are a few examples of their “towers of power!”

– Rasheil Stanger, Valley of the Tetons Library

SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org

SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-00-18-0013-18). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.