October 2018 Experiential Learning Roundup!

Programming:

Make a Better World was mentioned as part of the Ingram’s “Two Librarians and a Microphone” podcast.  The Hyper-Localism episode (S05:E04) specifically talked about our compassionate making projects to help others in the community.

VA held 2 programs during in-service days on Friday, 10/12 and Friday, 10/19. Both were well-attended. On 10/12 we hosted Cardboard Challenge where we assembled a geodesic dome, bowling pins and built with cardboard boxes. SLAs and I partnered to host a cardboard-themed Funtastic to roll into when our program wound down. We utilized the same partnership for the 10/19 Spy Camp. We are testing out less formal, more pop-up-type programs where we host programs out on the floor, rather than in a meeting room.

SLA continues to work with volunteer facilitator on Girls Who Code. I led the workshop on 10/24 and worked with the girls on building chatbots with Python. It is always fun to see the girls work together and problem-solve to meet a goal. Girls Who Code is on break for 10/31 and will return 11/7.

Sewing has been our most successful Maker Monday program. SLAs will continue working on sewing workshops in November and December. Green screen and Cricut will be utilized in different ways moving forward.

PSA volunteered to assist during Music & Movement. She is a great fit for this program!

SLA led the monthly Intro to 3D Design and SLA led the 3D Printing Open Lab.  We have successfully moved one of our 3D printers to the public floor. The hope is that the equipment will be better utilized by our certified users. We currently only have one 3D printer as our 2nd 3D printer is still in IT for repairs.

I am working with Youth Librarians to offload some of the ongoing Youth Services projects to the new supervisors.

Community Connections
SLA and I hosted a Community Conversation as a joint partnership with Humanities Oregon and Humanities Washington.We had a dozen participants, most of whom are regular library users. Kelly McElroy was an excellent facilitator of the discussion and several of our regular patrons, who didn’t know each other, got to connect and discuss their different opinions in a productive manner. Several attendees lingered after the program to continue to discussing content and indicated they are interested in more opportunities for community conversations. 

We have tentatively booked the Columbia Room in March for the 2019 Repair Cafe. I am pleased to report that this project (now going on its 3rd year) has spread to Cascade Park and will also include Three Creeks in 2019.

Program Services asked me to assist with a homeschool outreach event in Woodland. I worked with 44 eager homeschoolers and their parents to experiment with circuits and Makey Makey. My entire write-up is here. WD has asked me to continue partnering with Woodland to host programs the last Thursday each month beginning January 2019.

Professional Development:
I submitted 2 proposals for the 2019 OLA/WLA Conference in April. A ½-day pre-conference session on coding tools for librarians teaching coding and a conference workshop in partnership with Multnomah Library on making and failing.

I submitted my chapters for the ALA publication 50 Coding Projects for Libraries.