1. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Our electronic future: key issues & developments for ICT in Public Libraries and their impact on children Penny Garrod UKOLN University of Bath Bath, BA2 7AY Email p.garrod@ukoln.ac.uk URL http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ UKOLN is supported by:

2. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 2 UKOLN national focus of expertise in digital information management based at the University of Bath funded by: JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee: Higher & Further Education sector); Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries plus project funding (e.g. EU and JISC) around 27 staff carries out applied research (e.g. in metadata), software development and provides policy and advisory services

3. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 3 ICT in UK public libraries: focusing on young users Key Questions for librarians What do todays children and young people want from libraries? What are their expectations? What sort of services should libraries be providing? What do they actually need? How can libraries link in with schools, social services and all the other agencies dealing with children? How can libraries attract and retain children and young people? Can/should public libraries collaborate with private sector: ethical issues; money needed to sustain and develop services; public libraries offer free services.

4. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 4 UK children: creating library services to meet their needs and expectations Children are increasingly consumer oriented and materialistic Their worlds revolve around popular culture: TV; pop and football stars; films, computer games etc. They like and use modern technology: its cool (82% of 14-16 year olds own mobile phones); use games computers They like the Internet and interactive media Many have poor literacy skills and find reading difficult and books boring

5. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 5 What do children need? Help with literacy, numeracy and ICT skills develop information literacy/ research skills; foster inquiring minds encourage reading and promote books as relevant to their lives; libraries as places to hang out with friends and use ICT develop the creative imagination & thinking skills motivate them to learn and to experiment with books, the Internet and multimedia ? Can ICT in libraries help with these?

6. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 6 Learning from the best: examples of good practice Library Websites: Portal approach: developed & designed specifically for children & young people links to quality assured educational resources & pre-selected sites* Interactive features Quizzes and games Submit book reviews Links to other library materials: videos, DVDs, CDs etc.. Publicise homework clubs; out of school activities *filtering software has limitations

7. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 7 Examples of good practice Web-based services Treasure Island UKOLN 1997 pilot for Stories from the Web Stories from the Web Birmingham Libraries: (website +clubs) Library web sites Suffolk County Council – childrens Book Zone; fun sites; links and activities; Hillingdon - links include National Grid for Learning approved site e.g. Dots Den Nottinghamshire Libraries – builds on young childrens interests

8. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 8 Treasure Island – the website / http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/treasure

9. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 9 One of three Treasure Island activities

10. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 10 Stories from the Web http://www.storiesfromtheweb.org/index.htm

11. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 11 Suffolk County Council - Cyberlibrary for children

12. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 12 London Borough of Hillingdon

13. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 13 Nottingham: childrens page http://www.nottscc.gov.uk/libraries/

14. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 14 ICT in Libraries: possible future scenarios? 3rd generation mobile phones & PDAs: converged technologies Ebooks : graphic books; key school texts Virtual libraries: focus on websites and e-learning - less on buildings and bookstock Web sites: increasingly adopt commercial models e.g. Amazon Shared Information Environment: schools, museums, libraries, colleges, health & social services + retail & media: share resources & work in partnership. (public sector ethos versus consumerism?)

15. A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 15 Conclusions ICT represents opportunity to capture hearts and minds of young people and make libraries relevant to their lives Reading and literacy – harness interactive capability of the Internet to encourage children to read and improve literacy and information skills 21 st century children have high expectations based on consumer models and are happy using modern technology Examples of good practice but not widespread – invest in children- they are the future Any Questions?