As you might have guessed this post focuses on maker spaces. According to Lang a maker space is, "a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play, open-ended exploration for all." Lang also points out in her lecture that maker spaces are valuable because they show that libraries can be places where information is created not just absorbed. There numerous blogs, articles, and books available on creating a maker space. According to Britton, "The beauty of the Maker movement, particularly in the library is that there is no set of equipment or programming required to make a space successful" (2012).

The resource that I have chosen to highlight is Mrs. J in the Library: Elementary Maker Space Resources.  Her blog is a treasure trove of information about maker spaces. She lists some of the best resources for elementary librarian as well as a list of links for free resources for maker spaces. One of the resources she highlights is The Ultimate Spacemaker Resource Guide. This one link has more than 100 resources available to help educators get a maker space started and keep it running.  Mrs. J also provides a list of maker librarians along with links to their blogs that allow you to explore many other educators who she identifies as Maker librarians. While all of these aren't for elementary schools, there is valuable information in all of them. In addition to these things Mrs. J provides a list of Pinterest boards for educators to look at and products that can be purchased that are focused on maker spaces as well as some professional articles that she recommends on the subject. There are additional posts on her blog that are about maker spaces. Mrs. J's blog is a wealth of information for educators, and I would encourage you to take a look at all Mrs. J has to offer.  

Sources:

Moorefield-Lang, H. (2021, May 17). Makerspaces Summer [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWQ6B4UnZaA

Britton, L. (2012, October 1). The makings of maker spaces, Part 1: Space for creation, not just consumption. The Digital Shift: Library Journal School Library Journal on Libraries and New Media. Retrieved from: http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/10/public-services/the-makings-of-maker-spaces-part-1-space-for-creation-not-just-consumption/

Cyberbullying

    When I was investigating cyberbullying: reading articles, watching videos, and exploring websites I was surprised by the amount of cyberbullying that exist and the amount that continues to exist into adulthood. According to one article, "Once believed to be the dominion of the schoolyard "tough" kid, bullying is now viewed as a more complex and widespread problem." (Faucher et al, 2015). I know from working in a school and raising 5 children that there is cyberbullying out there. However, I was not aware that it was happening as often as it is especially in the workplace and with adults. Thinking about that, this is the first generation of adults that have truly been raised in an age of technology, and they probably were not provided the digital citizenship education that they needed. While it would seem that people should know to just be kind and shouldn't have to be told not to bully or hurt others with their words or actions, when looking at the statistics out there about cyberbullying, that clearly isn't the case. This confirmed for me the importance of solid digital citizenship education beginning in the earliest of grades. 

    Working in an elementary school I am continually surprised at the early age that many children are given cell phones, tablets, and unsupervised use of technology. While there are many components to being a good digital citizen, cyberbullying is certainly a major topic to be covered. The fact that children are being given devices at earlier and earlier ages means we need to begin digital citizenship education with our youngest students. I feel like as educators we need to provide digital citizenship education to parents as well as students. This would allow parents to be aware of what is out there and be better equipped to help their children make better digital decisions. I would love to have information to send home for parents as well as host parent education events in the library. For students the media center would be the perfect place to provide age appropriate education on digital citizenship.  As I was exploring websites, I discovered there is a tremendous amount of material out there for educating parents and students. I will link a few of those websites at the bottom. They offered infographics, presentation ideas for varying grade levels, pamphlets that could given to parents and students, videos, and more. 

digital citizenship symbaloo

Cyberbullying Research Center

Teacher resource for digital citizenship

References

Faucher, C., Cassidy, W., & Jackson, M. (2015). From the sandbox to the inbox: Comparing the acts, impacts, and solutions of bullying in k-12, higher education, and the workplace. Journal Of Education And Training Studies, 3(6), 111-125.

Social Media

    When I began thinking about which type of social media accounts I would create for my library, I thought I would choose Facebook.  However, after reading through Dr. Green's presentation, I decided that Instagram may be a better option because many of the parents in my school are younger (20s and 30s). Since I work in an elementary school my Instagram will predominately be for parents and teachers. I am using a fictional school right now because I'm not a librarian yet but am modeling it after the school I currently teach in. When I am a librarian, I will most likely create an Instagram but also link it to Facebook in order to reach a greater audience. 

        Through the library Instagram page I plan to highlight the wonderful things happening in the library through photos of students using the library, new books and materials we receive as well as resources available in the library. Materials and books that correlate with units or lessons teachers are doing in their classrooms could also be showcased in Instagram posts. In addition to these things I will also use Instagram to promote events happening at our school as well as events taking place at the public library or other places in the community that are learning related. 

    Through the library Instagram page I plan to highlight the wonderful things happening in the library through photos of students using the library, new books and materials we receive as well as resources available in the library. Materials and books that correlate with units or lessons teachers are doing in their classrooms could also be showcased in Instagram posts. In addition to these things I will also use Instagram to promote events happening at our school as well as events taking place at the public library or other places in the community that are learning related. 

    I will create a schedule of things to post on specific days of the week such a What are We Reading Wednesday. During that post a few staff and I can share books we are currently reading or have recently read. Mondays could be Motivational Monday where I post an encouraging quote from an author. Fridays could be Fun Friday where I post a collection of things that have been happening in the library (or school that are related to the library/ reading) during the week. 
    I am excited to start my library journey and put all these ideas into practice!