[kids-lib] Junior Maker Spaces toolkits

Mon Aug 11 12:29:58 PDT 2014

Many of you have heard the news from ALA’s Association for Library Services to Children and LEGO Systems (press release below). “Beginning in August, librarians can download a free, digital toolkit with information and inspiration to host Junior Maker Sessions via the ALSC website<http://www.ala.org/alsc/>.” This should be a great resources for libraries interested in maker spaces and/or LEGO® programs for children 4-6 years old when it becomes available—it’s not on their website yet.
They also announced that they will be distributing physical Junior Maker Space toolkits, including LEGO® bricks, to 15 libraries per state capitol. Since Salem does not have 15 libraries, I asked Joanna Ison of ALA’s Association for Library Services to Children for guidance. Based on that guidance, the toolkits will be distributed to 15 of the 16 libraries in the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service. This honors the intent of their project by keeping the kits near the state capitol.
These 15 libraries serve relatively diverse communities in Oregon. They should be able to share with the rest of the Oregon library community how the Junior Maker Space toolkits work in rural towns, with English language learners, and in small, medium, and large libraries.
Thanks,
Katie

Katie Anderson, Library Development Services
* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528

[Fizz Boom Read][Girlandcloud]
Summer Reading 2014 at Oregon libraries<http://libdir.osl.state.or.us/>!
Find a summer food site<http://www.summerfoodoregon.org/>.
From: Joanna Ison [mailto:jison at ala.org<mailto:jison at ala.org>]
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 6:15 AM
To: alsc-l at ala.org<mailto:alsc-l at ala.org>
Subject: [alsc-l] ALSC and LEGO Systems partner to create Junior Maker Spaces

ALSC and LEGO Systems partner to create Junior Maker Spaces<http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/07/alsc-and-lego-systems-partner-create-junior-maker-spaces>

CHICAGO – The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and LEGO Systems, Inc. are working together to bring Junior Maker Spaces to libraries across the country. This project will focus on giving children ages 4 to 6 areas to make and create in their local libraries.

Beginning in August, librarians can download a free, digital toolkit with information and inspiration to host Junior Maker Sessions via the ALSC website<http://www.ala.org/alsc/>. In addition, 750+ libraries nationwide (15 per state capitol) will receive a physical toolkit to host ongoing Junior Maker sessions in children’s reading areas. Each toolkit will include over 10,000 LEGO® bricks, an inspirational poster, activity guide and salient academic insights from the Cultures of Creativity report. Additionally, the partners will co-host Junior Make sessions, as recently held at the Washington, D.C., Mini Maker Faire, in 20 libraries. For further inspiration please watch the Junior Maker video<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDE7-6rbRYM&feature=youtu.be>.

“Children’s librarians have always spearheaded programs and activities that foster young children’s development and as enthusiasm swells for libraries as community maker spaces, it is important that we continue and expand appropriate hands-on experiences for young children,” said Starr LaTronica, immediate past president of ALSC. “We’re thrilled that through our ongoing LEGO partnership we’re able to provide digital and physical tools and inspiration that will allow librarians to deliver age-appropriate ‘make’ experiences to children.”

“Creativity is innate in children across cultures and backgrounds. However, sustaining creativity is universally challenging for parents, teachers and governmental institutions,” said Bo Stjerne Thomsen, director of research and learning, The LEGO Foundation and co-author Cultures of Creativity. “We are failing our children if we do not recognize the crucial role of playing, making and sharing in the development of both the individual human being, and the innovative society.”

ALSC and LEGO Systems are excited to work together to help develop creativity in young children through libraries.

About LEGO Systems, Inc.
LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world's leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children.  The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough."  Visit the virtual LEGO world at www.LEGO.com<http://www.lego.com/>

About ALSC
ALSC, a Division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC visit www.ala.org/alsc<http://www.ala.org/alsc>.

Joanna Ison
Program Officer for Projects and Partnerships
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
jison at ala.org<mailto:jison at ala.org>
312.280.1398<tel:312.280.1398>

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