Concurrent Program Session

Middle Childhood Matters: Revitalizing Services and Programs for School Age Children

Friday, April 8, 2016, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Colorado Convention Center, Room 401-404

In 2014, Toronto Public Library transformed Middle Childhood services and programs. With a focus on supporting healthy child development and resiliency, we constructed a research based framework for Middle Childhood. Programs, services, and spaces for school age children are now intentionally developed to foster creativity, support critical thinking, and inspire self-directed learning. Just as early childhood services were transformed by Every Child Ready to Read, our Middle Childhood Framework has revolutionized delivery of services to children aged 6-12.

At the end of this session, participants will:

1: Identify key objectives in developing a research based strategic plan to support school aged children.
2: Explore staff as active facilitators in engaging children and bringing the framework alive.
3: Learn how to employ best practices for developing services, programs, and spaces for children 6 - 12 that are agile, adaptable to branch size and resources, and ensure quality, consistency, and accessibility.

The session organizer(s) identified this session as appropriate for:
Level 2: People with some knowledge, who want to increase their understanding.

This session will have: Medium interaction: single speaker/panel with questions or audience participation throughout

Handouts: Download 1   Download 2  

Track: Imagine

Tags: Serving Youth, Children's Services, Collaboration, Innovation, Strategic Planning, Transforming Libraries


Presenters

Peggy Thomas, Library Service Manager
Toronto Public Library, Toronto, ON

Peggy Thomas worked for twenty-two years as a teacher and teacher-librarian in the elementary school system in the Toronto area. She has served as the president of the Ontario School Library Association and has also served as the president of the Ontario Library Association. In 2010 Peggy went back to school for her MLIS. She currently works for Toronto Public Library helping to redefine services to school age children for TPL.

Diane Banks, Services Specialist
Toronto Public Library, Toronto, ON

Diane Banks is a Services Specialist at Toronto Public Library (TPL), currently implementing TPL's Middle Childhood Framework which focuses on collections, services, programs and spaces for children aged 6 - 12 and their families.You can connect with Diane via email (dbanks@torontopubliclibrary.ca) or LinkedIn (https://ca.linkedin.com/in/diane-banks-b0651750).

For questions about…

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellations, requests for refunds, and/or changes will be accepted until February 26, 2016, and are subject to a $30 handling fee. Refunds will be processed after April 25, 2016. According to PLA policy, all meal events require preregistration. The above cancellation/change information also applies to all preconferences, meal events, and tours.

The PLA 2016 Conference is offered on a cost-recovery basis. PLA reserves the right to cancel all or any part of this event if there is insufficient registration or for other reasons. Neither ALA nor PLA is responsible for cancellation charges assessed by the airlines or travel agencies, or other losses incurred due to the cancellation of the workshops. All information listed on this website is subject to change.


Accessibility

PLA has put in place features to ensure the conference is accessible to all.

Advertising

Special print and electronic advertising opportunities are available to reach PLA members and attendees both before and during the conference.

Appropriate Conduct

All participants are expected to observe the rules and behaviors described in the Statement of Appropriate Conduct in all conference venues, including online venues, and conference social events.

Attire

There is no formal dress code at the PLA Conference. What’s most important is to dress for comfort.

Conference Logo

The custom logos of the PLA 2016 Conference are the property of PLA. Anyone wishing to use the logos in their communications and promotional materials must: 1) Seek permission from PLA; and 2) Submit communication/artwork incorporating the logo to PLA for final approval. The logo may not be modified and must be reproduced in its entirety (i.e., no outlines, cropping). To request the use of the logo, companies should contact Carly DiVito at Corcoran Expositions at 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com; all others should contact PLA at 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org.

Exhibits

Contact Carly DiVito, Corcoran Expositions, 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com.

Firearms

No carrying of firearms allowed in the Colorado Convention Center unless you’re on-duty law enforcement or off-duty and on payroll of the show or SMG (convention center management).

Hashtag

The official conference hashtag is #PLA2016.

Media

Contact Heather Cho, ALA Media Relations Specialist, 312-280-4020 or hcho@ala.org. Please review our conference media policy.

Membership

ALA and PLA membership is managed by the ALA Membership & Customer Service (MACS) unit. To join, renew, rejoin, or add to your membership, fill out a secure form online; or print and fill out a membership form and fax or mail it in; or call 800-545-2433 and press 5. Direct your membership questions to MACS at customerservice@ala.org or 800-545-2433 and press 5. MACS representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Central.

Mobile App

Attendees can access full event schedule, evaluate sessions, customize their own agenda, and compete in the Extraordinary Exhibits photo challenge game on the PLA 2016 mobile app. To request assistance with the mobile app, please e-mail pla2016app@ala.org.

PLA Office

The PLA Office is located in A Mezzanine in the Colorado Convention Center. You can access the A Mezzanine from any of the lobbies using Elevator A, across from registration, and press the MZ button to get to the Mezzanine. You can also access A Mezzanine from Exhibit Hall A using Stairwell 30. The office phone numbers are 303-228-8450 and 303-228-8451. Onsite office hours are Monday, April 4–Friday, April 8, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Saturday, April 9, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM.

Registration & Housing

Onsite registration hours are Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 AM–5:00 PM; Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 AM–6:30 PM; Thursday, April 7, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM; Friday, April 8, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM; and Saturday, April 9, 8:00–10:00 AM. Conference registration and housing is managed by Experient. Call or e-mail your questions, 800-424-5249 (U.S. and Canada), 847-996-5829 (all other countries), or pla@experient-inc.com. Experient representatives are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Eastern. PLA Conference is a professional event. It is not open to the public.

Sponsorships

Contact Corcoran Expositions, Mary Michalik at 312-265-9650, mary@corcexpo.com; or Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655, matt@corcexpo.com.

Thank you PLA Conference Sponsors!

Venues

Most conference events—including all preconferences and concurrent program sessions—will take place in the Colorado Convention Center (CCC), 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202. Additional events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th Street, Denver, CO 80202, and other venues as indicated.

Other Questions

Contact PLA, 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org; or find someone to help in the PLA Staff directory.