ISSN 1443-0568 | no. 69 | June 2004
Education programs at the National Library
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| Young visitors to the National Library by Louis Seselja |
The National Library of Australia has a fun and innovative approach to education. As a national institution, the Library has two main education client groups: people who would like to learn to use the Library effectively, and people using the Library as an educational tourism destination. Education at the National Library covers clients that range from pre-readers through to adults and seniors.
Education programs are run for a range of clients with a variety of needs. Tours such as ‘Crooks, Chooks and Books’ cater for school groups that want a general overview of the National Library and its collections. This tour is a humorous look at the history of the Library and Australian politics and discusses issues such as ‘national significance’ while exploring the non-public access areas of the Library. ‘A Thirst for Knowledge: An Introduction to Research at the National Library’, caters for college and tertiary students who are first-time users of the Library. This tour not only explains how the Library works but, more importantly, why the Library works the way it does, taking away some of the mystery that can confuse a first-time client.
School holiday programs and other non-traditional educational activities, are becoming increasingly popular. Often related to an exhibition, but always drawing on the collections, young children at school holiday programs are encouraged to dance, create, write and interact with the collections in ways that can only be achieved through play. Professional development programs are offered to teachers in a variety of ways, including research and computer workshops and teacher information evenings about current exhibitions. Programs are also offered to senior clients, students with disabilities and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
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Examining
a globe in the Map Section at the National Library
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In mid 2003, the Library commissioned an external evaluation of the Library’s education services for school-age clients, their parents and teachers. This evaluation covered a range of topics and provided the Library with an understanding of how the education programs provided for school-age clients are being received.
The research took place during the period June to August 2003. It was undertaken in two stages, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research. A combination of group discussions and in-depth interviews was used to obtain a full understanding of attitudes and expectations across a range of stakeholder and participant types. Results were very exciting. The Library’s education programs are currently very highly regarded by people who have attended them. However, while our rating is very high among clients that have attended programs, work is needed to improve our profile in the wider community.
The evaluation report makes strong recommendations regarding the use of the National Library’s website as a tool for communication and learning for education clients. Currently, the website is seen as being useful but could be utilised more effectively for this client group. The Education Section, in consultation with Reader Services and the Web Services Branch is looking at drawing the education material already provided on the website into one place.
Overall, education programs were seen to be interesting and provided educational input to students while providing a high level of fun and involvement. On a very positive note, the way in which the programs are presented is much appreciated so, obviously, the National Library is striking a chord with its school-age clients. For more information about the education programs and services offered at the National Library, please contact the Manager of Education, Heidi Pritchard on (02) 6262 1271 or email hpritchard@nla.gov.au.
| Contents list for this issue of Gateways |