Our challenge is to give all children a chance to be equipped for the future, especially those impacted by the digital divide. The staff at the public library are technology visionaries experimenting with digital play and collaborating with the outside world of technologists while the school district staff are implementers of the emerging technologies. This reciprocal relationship allows for the sharing of best digital learning practices between the organizations through both physical and virtual spaces.

The public librarians seek out networking and educational opportunities around emerging technologies. The technologies are tested with public library staff and patrons through digital programs in hands-on learning spaces, working with all different abilities. After evaluating the children’s engagement with the public librarians, school library staff apply the new tools to curriculum standards, implement them in the classroom and share them with the wider community via hands-on programming in collaboration with the public library.

As a result of an increase in school-public library partnered activities around emerging technologies:

• A grade school, middle school and public librarian participated on the District’s Technology Advisory Committee for the first time.
• Over 800 new library cards were registered as part of the school registration process.
• Code Fest registered 300 participants representing all 10 schools and grades.
• Public and teacher librarians developed a practicum on kids’ podcasting.
• Public librarians facilitated conversations for the District’s strategic planning, including digital learning.