Great topic! The discussion group that I lead at my library spent quite a bit of time discussing the need for high schools to offer, and perhaps require, classes on life skills. Because of budget restraints, these classes have been removed from schools, as well as vocational classes that would teach a skill and employment readiness. I wonder if not teaching these to our youth, and young adults not feeling grown up, are actually related.

I wonder too if many of us were never really taught these skills, so the idea of “you just figure it out” makes more sense to us — GenX is notorious for having been ignored as kids, and then we’re notorious for doing everything for them to bulldoze the path. As the world’s gotten infinitely more complicated, so too do the processes around everything.

I’d bet that a fair few of us could stand to take some adulting classes as well. “Here’s what really happens when you buy property, step-by-step. Here’s how you sew a patch on your jeans. Here’s what all the garbledygook on the new hire paperwork really means.”

I am encouraged to see libraries offering adulting classes. Check out what these libraries are doing https://medium.com/everylibrary/learning-to-adult-at-the-library-41403654efbf.

Also, ALA has a book on Teaching Life Skills at the Library , albeit expensive: https://alastore.ala.org/lifeskills

@laurele this is a wonderful story about your connections to Half Moon Bay. I did that exercise yesterday with the library staff in Illinois and was very interesting when we debriefed: Most of the people said they imagine themselves outside or in nature. Most that shared said they were alone as well. Interesting.

@laurele this was so much fun. I also appreciate your candor and sharing where you have found yourself in life. The videos you shared were perfect for absolutely illustrating your points.

@laurele, so interesting to think about! Each generation has their own idiosyncrasies and think our own is immutable. I’ve never felt like such an old foagie as I have since having an 11-year-old daughter (I’m 42). I’ll have to try the “heart hands” challenge with her. 🫶

Hi Laurel,
Great work on your innovation strategy. Gardening can be such a rewarding experience; I was lucky enough growing up to plant seeds and see them grow into corn, squash, beans, etc. The positive effects of these programs can be incredible, as they show that if you take care of a plant or tree, they will take care of you mentally and physically.

@laurele this is a perfect example of one of the things. I hope everyone takes away from this class. That idea of biting the bullet or diving into something that might make us a little bit uncomfortable, but really turns out to be a useful learning experience. What a great example to that you found inspiration for another class by using AI. Absolutely right on target.

I had chat GPT write a story for me about my dogs Billy and Sam joining Fleetwood Mac on tour. It was actually the sweetest little story. I ended up sharing it with the university writing committee and we had a nice chuckle about how sweet it was.

@laurele I love the connection you make between the packhorse library project and the hyperlink library. Absolutely. I hope your final paper goes well in INFO 285.