I believe this is the best culmination of everything we’ve learned to a degree or at least my take away from everything. The topic of learning in a new way has come up a lot, as libraries are becoming spaces to create, it’s something I’ve brought up in other reports even. Libraries must become a place to go out and socialize in for their health and well being while learning how to become more well-rounded individuals.
Through creative workshops people can grow closer and learn new skills such as how to code or create. An example would be the Chicago Public Library which is, “developing a space and programming that focuses on entrepreneurial and workforce development for both adults and teens” (Digital Promise, 2016). These can help people constantly learn and grow since a changing world requires constant adaptation. We shouldn’t assume people are perfect after they grow older, we should constantly try to improve as people and as libraries.
![Lykasov, M. (2015, August 19). Visualization. workshop [Photograph]. Behance. https://www.behance.net/gallery/28830855/Visualization-Workshop](https://287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/oliviaevans/wp-content/uploads/sites/351/2024/03/64e59828830855.55db261d3a5ac.jpg)
I think inviting more creative and fun into libraries is the way to modernize their spaces. We can’t just assume people will want to come to learn a space in a strict suffocating space like a school, but find new ways to encourage everyone to come learn together.
References-
Digital Promise. (2016, January 28). The library as a gateway to the 21st century skills. https://digitalpromise.org/2016/01/28/chicago-public-library-the-library-as-a-gateway-to-21st-century-skills/
Lykasov, M. (2015, August 19). Visualization. workshop [Photograph]. Behance. https://www.behance.net/gallery/28830855/Visualization-Workshop
Partridge, A. [Logan City Council]. (2018, September 3). Sensory space at Marsden library [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDp-VBYtd7g
I love your statement ” we should stray away from old conventional notions of strict binaries of learning.” It is so true. So many people don’t do well with the ‘traditional’ methods of learning. Yesterday, while on a walk, I saw a teacher with his entire 5th grade class sitting around a creek. They were collecting frog eggs to take back to the class to watch hatch and change into a frog. I watched the class for a few minutes and was impressed on how just changing the setting of the classroom, he got the children super excited about learning.
Perhaps one way to look at it is in how we learn things on our own. If I want to casually learn to code, what would I do? Definitely coding games. If I want to learn Photoshop, it’s because I want to edit my personal photos or make things to post online. If I want to learn more about a historical period, I’m probably going to watch a documentary or movie before I pick up a textbook. The library is the perfect place to have the fun extra-curricular learning experiences while also providing the books if that’s how people choose to learn.
@oliviaevans yes, to promoting creativity and fun in our library spaces. You summed this up well.