Commitment to Learning as Enjoyment
SOaP Part:
Values
We believe that learning is deepest and most effective when it is enjoyed, and we are dedicated to entertaining our members while delivering on the Mission.
We believe that learning is deepest and most effective when it is enjoyed, and we are dedicated to entertaining our members while delivering on the Mission.
Comments
I really like that we included both a Freedom to Learn and Freedom to Enjoyment statement as these tie in so well with the Freedom to Read statement from ALA and the Library's Bill of Rights. That being said, I'd like to tie this Value more firmly to the Vision statement and alter the wording some to improve awareness that the library does dedicate itself to supporting recreation and enjoyment as a way of enriching our customers lives.
Consider changing the wording of this value from "Commitment to Learning as Enjoyment" to simply "Commitment to Enjoyment" (or recreation, or enrichment). By removing the word "Learning" from this value we can more clearly show our support of the recreational use of library services. For the extended explanation, I think we can preserve the essence of "Learning as Enjoyment" by stating "We believe that learning is deepest and most effective when it is enjoyed. We treasure and protect each member’s freedom to read, view, and access information to enrich their lives through enjoyment/entertainment."
I've been thinking a lot this week about the language in this section. While one function of reading/library services can be for entertainment, I do not believe that is WHY we are here. While we want storytime to be entertaining for children, its primary function is education. While an energetic reader's advisory session is (hopefully) enjoyable for the customer, our ultimate goal is to connect the reader with materials, resources, and performances that entertain and enrich-- not to be the entertainment ourselves.
I don't understand why the primary function of storytime should be education. As adults, we don't always use library services just for education. I believe that it should be the same way for children. I believe that they, more than any of us, have the right to have fun just for fun. I think that enjoyment/entertainment is as much WHY we are here as education. Learning can be enjoyment, enjoyment can be learning, learning can be enough by itself, enjoyment can be enough by itself. I personally feel a little boxed in by the concept that it's all one or the other. I'm not out doing storytimes, which is a good thing :), but I would vote for more inclusive language.
I do preschool story time. While I try to make it fun (and if the giggling is any indication, believe me, we have fun ) my FIRST goal is to educate. My kids for the most part will be going into structured educational settings. Story and songs are my vehicle to teaching them to sit on their bottoms, to listen to instructions, and to process and follow multistep directions. I am teaching them to appreciate literature but I am most importantly teaching them to appreciate and learn from their library. This is not an either/or. We strive to entertain, but we should be educating. So maybe the language is ambiguous, and is worth a discussion.
I don't believe the intent here was to belittle Storytimes as purely recreational. All who are involved with Storytime planning and implementation are aware that the goal of these programs is building early literacy skills, albeit in a fun way. I believe the committee demonstrated support of Storytimes and other educational programming with both their inclusion of the "Freedom to Learn" value and their brilliant word choice in the phrase, "learning is deepest and most effective when it is enjoyed."
I believe the intent of including a recreational value of the library was to highlight the materials and services available to customers that are primarily recreational in nature, such as our feature film collection or fiction books. My suggestion to revise this wording was intended to reduce redundancy of having a sole "Freedom to Learn" value followed by a "Learning as Enjoyment" value. It sounded like we were stating the same value twice to point out that some people like to learn new things.
By stating a "Freedom to Enjoyment" value, we can further spread awareness that the library both offers not only educational services, but is also here to meet the needs of those who use the library for recreational purposes only. Those who use the library to play games, read for fun, or to enjoy some good music have as much right to use library services as those who are working on homework or learning a new skill. I would definitely say that recreational use of the library is one of the values of the library, though I agree it is not the primary purpose of each service the library provides.
Having entered this career after 2 decades in public schools, I have to say that I think it is going to be important for us going forward to really emphasize the "fun" parts- because more and more, school learning is not fun- that is why I left the field.
Part of educating parents is helping them understand that playing IS learning- even if they are not sitting on bottoms, listening, and following directions. Open ended play has great impact on many facets of brain development and learning...and the often the most meaningful learning occurs through play.
True play is open ended and child directed, and is becoming more and more rare. There is a valued place for "playful learning"- which is adult directed, goal oriented, and enjoyable- but it is not a replacement for authentic play. I would like to see us continue to be committed to providing for both.
When I read "we are dedicated to entertaining our members while delivering on the Mission," I just kept seeing our librarians in a chorus line. Can that be changed to "providing entertainment" or something else? I'm not that great of a dancer. ;)