Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Some Thoughts on the Function of Libraries in Education & Communities

In preparation for an upcoming symposium on the Future of Libraries, here are a few thoughts I have put together regarding the function of libraries in education and communities. As I am a community college librarian, I am coming at these issues specifically from that perspective.

Function of community colleges


  • Reducing the cost of higher education
  • Creating an educational environment which introduces community members (of all ages) to higher learning and makes them feel welcome.
  • Bridging the precarious gap between high school and higher education.
  • Retraining the population during economic and technological shifts.


Libraries are part of the continuum of life-long learning:


  1. Public libraries familiarize and welcome children into the learning environment

    1. Dual-use facilities (such as the partnerships between Harris County Library & Lone Star College at Cyfair and Tomball, and The Front Range Community College and the Fort Collins, Colorado Public Library Harmony Branch in particular) introduce children to the college environment and create a sense of welcoming.

  2. K-12 libraries facilitate elementary learning, create foundations of knowledge, and prepare students for further education.

    1. Dual-enrollment (high school students in community colleges) programs smooth the path and encourage the precarious transition between elementary and higher education. Community college librarians have the opportunity to provide basic information literacy training very early in these students’ academic careers.

  3. Community college libraries supply entry to higher education, bridge the gap between high school and college, and also supply low-cost education to non-traditional age students.

    1. Multiple Institution Learning Centers (partnerships between community colleges and universities which offer higher degrees) help to reduce educational costs and solve problems of distance. MILC libraries coordinate services between partner university libraries and deliver them to students.
    2. Distance learning programs provide even greater reductions in educational costs and problems of distance, but conversely create greater challenges in terms of information access. Embedded librarians in electronic classrooms (taking advantage of advanced communication applications) and tools for facilitating access to library resources directly through the electronic classroom are necessary.

  4. Academic libraries fulfill long term educational goals by providing substantial research resources and information access which will support the success of advanced degree students.


Sidebar:

The following news release on the outstanding success of Harris County's Summer 2010 Reading Programs illustrates the power of the public library in introducing young people to the educational environment:

Statistics for the 1st Week of SRP (Children's Program & Teen Program)

Here are the statistics for Catch the Reading Express from June 4th through June 10th :

Children Registered: 5,358 (only 2 are paper registrations). A total of 7,018 children have registered as of June 15th. 5,978 children were registered the 1st week of SRP in 2009.

Number of pages/minutes read: 135,707

Number of books read: 12,178

Number of children who have completed the program and received a certificate and a book (10 books or 500 pages or minutes): 797

Here are the statistics for Within Arms Reach from June 4th through June 10th:

Teens registered: 681 (only 11 paper registrations). A total of 859 teens have registered as of June 15th. 819 teens were registered the 1st week of SRP in 2009.

Number of books read: 1,551

Number of minutes spent reading: 25,200

Number of teens who completed the program and received a certificate and a book (5 books/ 600 minutes): 72

This is great start to a very busy and exciting summer!

--Monique Franklin, Children's Materials Selection Librarian, Harris County Public Library



Thursday, June 3, 2010

Local Library Programs for June 2010

map of library locations
Lone Star College Libraries (LSC)
Harris County Public Library (HCPL)
Montgomery County Memorial Library System (MCMLS)
Houston Public Library (HPL)

Featured Program:

New York Times Bestselling Author Robert Dugoni
Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Robert Dugoni, master of the legal thriller, will talk about his life and his craft. An Adult Summer Reading Event at no charge! Mr. Dugoni will be signing his latest thriller Bodily Harm for sale through the South Montgomery Friends of the Library.
MCMLS - George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library
8125 Ashlane Way
The Woodlands, TX77382
936-442-7728


Book Clubs

Book Clubs
Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
The club meets the last Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. in library meeting room 215. We discuss a different theme each month.Theme for June 30: any mystery set in Florida or by a Floridian. So you say you like: mysteries? To hear about what others are reading? To have the friendship of a book club without committing to reading a book every month?Have we got the group for you!
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Book Clubs
Monday, June 7, 2010, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Stop by the Information Desk on the 2nd floor or the Circulation Desk on the 1st floor to find out more about our TAKE A READ-CATION Adult Summer Reading Program and activities throughout the summer. We will have weekly drawings for a pound of Starbucks Coffee. All those who submit their reading log tickets (online or paper) will be eligible to win. Participants may win only one time during Adult Summer Reading. We will also be drawing at the end of summer reading for a gift card and Friends of the Library Bookstore "free book" coupons. Stop by and learn more about Adult Summer Reading at the R. B. Tullis Library!
MCMLS - R. B. Tullis
21569 US Hwy. 59
New Caney TX 77357
(936)-442-7705


Computer Classes

Computer Classes
Saturday, June 5, 2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This course explains the common features and commands of various types of productivity programs. Students will also learn about the main components of the user interface, keyboard shortcuts, and various key combinations. Adults and Teens.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030

Computer Classes
Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
This continuation of Computer Basics explains the features of different computers and the role of memory. It describes different types of productivity, communications, educational, and entertainment programs. It also explains the features and functions of Windows XP. Prerequisites: None.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030

Computer Classes
Saturday, June 26, 2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Introduction to basic functions of presentation program including graphics, multimedia and print options.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030

Computer Classes
Saturday, June 5, 2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
All workshops are free and no registration is required.Sessions are held in the library computer lab 203.Participants will be using Microsoft Office 2007.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Computer Classes
Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
All workshops are free and no registration is required.Sessions are held in the library computer lab 203.Participants will be using Microsoft Office 2007.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Computer Classes
Saturday, June 12, 2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
All workshops are free and no registration is required.Sessions are held in the library computer lab 203.Participants will be using Microsoft Office 2007.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Computer Classes
Saturday, June 12, 2010, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
All workshops are free and no registration is required.Sessions are held in the library computer lab 203.Participants will be using Microsoft Office 2007.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Computer Classes
Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
All workshops are free and no registration is required.Sessions are held in the library computer lab 203.Participants will be using Microsoft Office 2007.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214


Special Programs

Special Programs
Saturday, June 26, 2010, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
**Must have Signed Permission Form to Register** Celebrate Indian culture by first learning movements from both traditional and contemporary Indian Dance. Afterward use henna to apply a temporary tattoo. Permission forms are available at 2nd Floor Information Desk.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Special Programs
Thursday, June 24, 2010, 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thinking about starting your own business? Are you already a small business owner? The City of Houston’s One Stop Business Center, in partnership with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and Houston Public Library’s C.O.R.E. (Career Opportunities, Resources and Education) Center, will present a 1½ hour workshop on the rules and regulations which govern the operation of small businesses in Houston.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030


Special Programs
Thursday, June 10, 2010, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Charry combines traditional and contemporary South American rhythms to create his own unique sound. He weaves Andean panpipes, Bolivian charangos, Brazilian birimbous and Australian didgeridoosin to magical musical concoctions.
MCMLS - Malcom Purvis Branch
510 Melton St
Magnolia, TX 77354
(936)442-7704


Special Programs
Monday, June 14, 2010, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Learn about this entertaining adventure game using a GPS. Individuals and organizations have set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the Internet. Hunting for these caches makes a great hobby. One can learn about the history of a location, see things they might not otherwise see and make new friends. Learn about the different aspects of geocaching. If you have a handheld GPS or one that you can input coordinates, please bring it. Ada Levins with the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Lone Star College-EMCID will be our instructor.
MCMLS - R. B. Tullis
21569 US Hwy. 59
New Caney TX 77357
(936)-442-7705

Special Programs
Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Adults ages 18 and up are invited to join us for a free knitting lesson. Supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Registration begins June 7. Sign up at the 2nd floor reference desk or by calling (936) 442-7727, ext. 365 or 367.
MCMLS - South Regional Branch
2101 Lake Robbins Dr
The Woodlands, TX 77380-1152
(281) 298-9110