Brilliant Labs Magazine: Programming & Social Connection

Carron McCabe| Program Director | Prince Edward Island | Brilliant Labs

IN CONVERSATION WITH ROSEANNE GAUTHIER on the future of libraries and how Maker Education has intersected.

From the first day Brilliant Labs has been on PEI, the Public Library Service has been an instrumental partner in reaching Island youth and their families to bring maker education and technology into communities. Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Roseanne Gauthier, Youth Services Librarian with the Public Library Service at her home base, the Confederation Centre Public Library. Roseanne shared her thoughts on the future of libraries and how our work has intersected. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start with where Island library branches are today and how does the PEI Library Service use and integrate hands-on learning within programming to support youth?

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Brilliant Labs Magazine Revue Labos CrĂŠatifs

RG: Public libraries are all about learning. I think we've always been great at providing resources to help people learn new skills, but now we've expanded our ideas about how people learn. Embracing a hands-on approach to learning in our programming is definitely part of that ongoing shift. CM: This is a shift that is happening in education as well. I can see how students and educators become active in their learning when they get to explore, use their hands, and try something new. Embracing this approach can take some time because this may not be what we experienced when we were young and visited the library, so I can see how this can be new for both librarians and patrons alike.

We both know how important literacy is for us all. Could you share how you see the PEI Library Service impacting youth and families? RG: Public libraries offer free resources and programming for everyone. We provide opportunities for youth and families to build their literacy skills -- all types of literacy skills - in a fun, engaging environment. Ideally, we're another part of the educational support system that's preparing today's youth to be successful citizens of the world. CM: I think this could be another shift that is happening - many may not see technology as a literacy. Digital citizenship and the skills needed to exist in that space are so important. Making

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Brilliant Labs Magazine: Programming & Social Connection

Published on Jun 30, 2020

Brilliant Labs | Labos Créatifs

In this issue Brilliant Labs Magazine: Programming & Social Connection, we welcome Jeff Hennigar to our team. Jeff was seconded from the Halifax Regional Centre for Education in Nova Scotia. He brings with him a passion for maker-centered learning and the willingness to try new pedagogies. We then will explore our life before COVID-19 and celebrate the efforts of teachers and youth throughout Atlantic Canada. In the not to distant past, our team traveled to Maker Faire: Rome, welcomed teachers from across Newfoundland and Labrador to New Orleans for the ISTE Creative Lab, and celebrated the passion of hundreds of francophone educators as they gathered for Clair 2020, un colloque à l’échelle humaine… Looking back these physical learning experiences brought with them impactful memories and energized educators to come home with new learning perspectives. These social connections inspired a connectedness that created lasting professional networks that will pay dividends in our new reality.