Stakeholder Engagement Survey Results

 News / Last Modified: 22 May 2013

The Global Libraries Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is exploring a variety of strategies to accelerate change in US public libraries. To guide this work, the team recently solicited information and ideas from a wide range of stakeholders in the library field using an online survey. A summary of the survey results is now available.

M.A.P. for the Future of Online Learning

 News / Last Modified: 23 April 2013

Whether we are training our patrons, other library staff, or we are the learners, online learning is increasingly the reality for our learning opportunities. From a purely economic standpoint, online learning just makes sense as budgets continue to shrink. With an online course, we are no longer limited by geography or conflicting schedules. We can now reach more people, more times. But efficiencies do not create effectiveness. In our recent webinar, The Future of Online Learning: a Changing Landscape, Joann Flick, Continuing Education Coordinator at the Montana State Library and Betha Gutsche, WebJunction Programs Manager, explored education innovations that are increasing engagement through learner-centered discovery, flipped classrooms, and enhanced online learning.

Interpreting Data for Big Impact

 News / Last Modified: 27 March 2013

“No matter how good your data are, you still need stories.” (PEW director Lee Rainie)

When the PEW Research Center issued a January report on Library Services in the Digital Age, the library field found affirmation and encouragement in the key findings from this neutral statistical reporting agent. The real challenge is to use the data effectively to communicate far beyond the library world and demonstrate the profound impact of libraries in our society. In spite of the happy statistical news, too many people still hold stereotypes of libraries.

[Take the Poll: What are you doing to accelerate change at your library?]