| About
the Initiative | News
and Events | Project
Profiles | For
Further Reading
About the Initiative
The Institute's Museums, Libraries,
and 21st Century Skills initiative underscores the
critical role our nation’s museums and libraries
play in helping citizens build such 21st century skills
as information, communications and technology literacy,
critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, civic
literacy, and global awareness.
Museums, Libraries, and 21st
Century Skills includes three components:
| 1.
The Online Self-Assessment |
| This
brief interactive survey quickly analyzes an institution’s
21st century strategies and describes next steps for
action.
Take online assessment at www.imls21stcenturyskills.org.
|
|
| 2.
The Report |
 |
The
report outlines a vision for the role of libraries
and museums in the national dialogue around learning
and 21st century skills and includes case studies
of innovative audience engagement and 21st century
skills practices from across the country. Download
report (PDF, 900KB) |
|
| 3.
The Self-Assessment Tool |
| The
tool allows museums and libraries to determine where
they fit on the continuum of 21st century skills operations
and programming. Download
tool (PDF, 363KB)
|
News and Events
July
11, 2009 Event: “Unveiling of IMLS’s
21st Century Skills initiative at the Chicago Public Library’s
new revolutionary teen space, YOUMedia,” Mamie Bittner,
Deputy Director for the Office of Policy, Planning, Research,
and Communications, Mary L. Chute, Deputy Director for
Libraries, and Marsha Semmel, Deputy Director for Museums
and Director for Strategic Partnerships, in partnership
with representatives of The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation, 12:30 – 2:00, Harold Washington Library
Center, 400 S. State Street, Ground Floor, Chicago. Read
remarks by Marsha Semmel.
August 28, 2009 Press Release:
Museums and Libraries
Meet Lifelong Learning Needs for 21st Century
June 22, 2009 Press Release:
IMLS
Invites Public to 21st Century Skills Discussion at National
Museum and Services Library Board Meeting
September 9, 2008 Press Release:
IMLS
Convenes Task Force to Define 21st Century Skills for
Museums and Public Libraries
Project Profiles
| Good to Grow Initiative |
Begun in 2006, Good to Grow! is the Association
of Children’s Museums’ nationwide health
initiative. A key feature of Good to Grow!
is the “Growing Healthy Museums” project.
It benefits more than 300 children’s museums
that in turn have the potential to engage millions
of children and families in making healthy choices.
Read
more
|
 |
| Miami-Dade
Public Library |
The Miami-Dade County Public Library System embodies
the ethic of service to community. It is viewed
first and foremost as a community resource –
a place where people can get what they need in a
trusted setting with experienced, hands-on assistance.
Read
more
|
 |
| Maine Memory
Network |
Maine Memory Network (MMN) is a statewide digital
museum created out of a partnership between the
Maine Historical Society and the Maine State Library
to increase public access and engagement with the
holdings of historical societies across the state.
Read more
|
|
| The Pueblo
of Pojoaque Public Library: Raising Readers Program |
The “Raising Readers through Programs and
Outreach” initiative illustrates the Pueblo
of Pojoaque Public Library’s commitment to
a critical community need: basic literacy.
Read
more
|
|
| Philadelphia
Museum of Art |
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, in partnership with
The Barnes Foundation, The Fabric Workshop and Museum,
the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University
of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Academy of
the Fine Arts has developed a new initiative called
Art Speaks!
Read more
|
|
| Skokie Public
Library |
Skokie, a northern suburb of Chicago, has a current
population of 68,000 that has become increasingly
diverse over the past 25 years. Forty-two percent
of its population is now foreign born and 90 different
languages are spoken throughout the community.
Read more
|
|
| New York Hall
of Science |
The Science Career Ladder (SCL) at the New York
Hall of Science is an innovative education, employment,
and mentoring program that hires high school and
college students. The program employs 150 students
as Explainers who are trained to
provide the following skills: Exhibition interpretation,
Science demonstrations, Orientation, Workshop support,
and Visitor interaction. Read
more |
For Further
Reading
Download
PDF (44 KB) of Suggested Further Reading on Museums,
Libraries, and 21st Century Skills. |
