A library without books

Topic:

This article is about a library that's the only one of its kind…for now.

Before reading:
      

General Knowledge:

• Look at a map of the US. Can you find Omaha, Nebraska?
• How would you define the word "library"? In your opinion, can a place be called a "library" if it doesn't have books? Support your position.
• Is your local library a very "modern" place? Has it done a good job of keeping up with the latest technology?

      

Speculate:

• What kind of library do you think the article's title is describing? What services might it provide? What kind of people might be patrons (users) of this library?

         
Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website. Word count: 530

After reading:
        

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Make a chart of similarities and differences between Do Space and a typical library. Next, compare Do Space with an internet café.
• What kinds of people might find Do Space most useful?
• This article refers to Do Space as a "library". In your opinion, is this a good way of describing it? Do you think it should be called something else? Explain.
• Hans Bekale says that Do Space is "our modern-day office". What does he mean by this? What are the characteristics or features of this type of workplace?
• Could there be any disadvantages or weaknesses in this plan to offer free technology to the public? What are some unique challenges that Do Space might face that libraries with books might not?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

           

Reflect and evaluate:

• Would a library like Do Space be useful to you? What would you use it for?
• If you could create a "bookless" library for your own neighborhood or city, what kind of library would it be? Would it be a library offering access to technology, like Do Space, or would it offer some other kind of service?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

         

Beyond the page:

• Take a look at the Do Space website: http://www.dospace.org/
• "Coworking" is trend that has arisen in the last 10 years. What is it? Do some research to find out more, and then compare this concept to Do Space.

Also in the news:

• Though most people probably think about libraries as a space for books and maybe for studying, the concept of "library" is evolving. Some libraries are now beginning to offer services such as a "Library of Things". Read this article about a library in California that is implementing this service soon: Need a gadget? East library allows people to borrow big selection of items

        

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Learning at the Library

At last...I'm back!  My apologies to regular readers for taking a break from posting for a few days longer than usual- I had a cold that knocked me out over the weekend. But I've (mostly) recovered and hope to pick up my regular posting schedule again. And stay tuned for an extra post or two over the next week!

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about the role of libraries in lifelong learning. Word count: 484

Before reading:

   

General Knowledge:

• What is the purpose of a library? What can you do at a library besides borrow books?
• What is "lifelong learning"? What are some of the ways that adults can participate in it?

Speculate:

• This article refers to a recent study that suggests adults would rather learn in a physical classroom than online. What might be the reasons for this?

      

After reading:

     

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Instructor Matt McEntee will "teach you how to fix anything from a clock to a broken heart". If you attended his class, what would you want to learn how to fix? If you taught this class for a day, what could you teach someone else how to fix?
• In the article, Pew researcher John Horrigan says, "Learning is still very much a place-based thing". What does he mean by this? Do you agree with him?
• Whenna Andrews says that she feels "like the library seems more credible". Why do you think she used the word "credible"? What is she implying by this?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

• Have you ever used the internet to help you learn something? What resources or websites did you use? What was the result?
• Compare and contrast learning online with learning in a physical classroom. What are the biggest differences? Are there any important similarities?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Beyond the page

• How do you learn best? Try one (or both!) of the following quizzes to find out more about your learning style: What's Your Learning Style? or Multiple Intelligences Self-Assessment
• Find out more about the classes and services offered at your local library. Are there any that interest you?

       

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!