Digital+Observations

= = =Digital Observations=

I found many examples of the power of digital resources throughout my internship in the Children's Library. On my very first day, in fact, I couldn't help but notice a large banner hanging on the door of the main programming room announcing the kickoff of a series for parents entitled "Raising 21st Century Kids," that highlighted such topics as social media and digital citizenship. These topics were also included in programming for children of various ages, including preschool students, who could sign up for a program called "Little Clickers." This series was conducted in the computer lab, and focused on familiarizing young patrons with both digital tools as well as best practices for developing and protecting an online identity. I also observed that the computers in the Children's Library were utilized frequently by patrons of all ages as well as their caregivers. Uses ranged from exploring recreational websites and gaming to conducting research with the library's electronic databases.In addition, I found that whenever I included a digital component in my own program, the children responded enthusiastically and with a sense of piqued interest and curiosity.

 In addition to programming, technology also played a huge role in the way library staff communicated with each other and with patrons. We received frequent emails from the head of the children's department, updating us on everything from budget meetings to the latest announcements about relevant tools and topics for children's library service. This digital - rather than face to face - communication was incredibly effective and practical, as it helped keep all members of staff "in the loop" without having to attend meetings or check a physical mailbox for memos. It was also especially beneficial for me, since I was only there once a week. I think the prevalence of electronic communication can lead to a more constructive and collaborative working environment, and witnessed this first hand in the Children's Library. Collaborative tools such as Google Docs and Google Spreadsheets were also used for various projects, which also led to a more streamlined and efficient means of sharing information among multiple staff members. Electronic communication was also used to keep librarians and patrons connected, and I was able to get first-hand experience with using IM reference. While at the reference desk, I assisted patrons virtually with questions ranging from availability of specific titles to dates of different programs.

      