Much of the work of co-creation happens before you start to plan a concrete service or program. It’s worth spending the time up front to establish authentic, asset-based relationships and craft a scope that aligns with both community aspirations and your library’s mission and capacity. But when the time finally arrives to dive into designing something together, it’s undeniably exciting. This article addresses the “how” of co-design with an approach you can use with your partners. Human-centered design (HCD), also called design thinking, is a process to help you conduct a co-design process.

HCD is particularly useful for libraries with... Read more

We hear from library staff that the hardest part of professional development is finding the time to learn. When we share this list of webinars each month, we know that it might be overwhelming, even daunting, to see all the opportunities. We recommend picking one topic for your learning this month, selecting one webinar, and using the month to reflect on, research and discuss that topic. These training opportunities were compiled and shared by the Maine State Library. This month's list includes an online conference and nearly 50 different webinars on 20 different topic areas.

View and subscribe to the Maine... Read more

Learning to read is neither an innate nor simple process, and recently there has been increased scrutiny on whether schools are effectively preparing children to learn to read. Colloquially referred to as “the reading wars,” this scrutiny has led to the development of a reading-instruction approach based on some research-based theories and principles that are collectively referred to as the ‘science of reading.’ This curricular approach, already implemented in 37 states, has resulted in a remapping of reading instruction and teacher training. So, what does this mean for public libraries and your efforts to support the families in your communities?... Read more

It’s eclipse time again! Libraries all over are gearing up to offer activities and resources for community members, and your library is probably no exception. But if you’re still looking for ideas, we’ve got you covered. From interactive workshops to hands-on activities, this article offers resources and ideas to help libraries inspire curiosity and foster learning about the solar system.

Explore new ways to bring science, technology, and fun into your programs and services with the STAR Library Network (STAR Net), a hands-on learning network for libraries and their communities across the country. Whether you are new to STEM or are building... Read more