From the Design Lab: Coding Programs
- thelibrarybulletin
- Sep 30, 2016
- 6 min read
From the Design Lab
Coding Programs
Patrick, Mark, and Sarah trying out code.org modules
at the LIDO launch party with help from Mary.
In today’s world, just about everything relies on coding (computer programming) of some kind. Just like math or reading, coding has become a foundational skill—something that’s important to understand whether or not you plan to have a career in computer science. Learning to code helps develop great problem solving and logic skills, perseverance, and critical thinking.
The Challenge
There was a huge demand for coding programs in our communities, with Coder Dojo always waitlisted and patrons asking for more. The challenge for Service Design Lead Carrie Kitchen was to find a way to expand the impact of that great program to more patrons, while also making sure it could grow sustainably.
The Library has introduced a whole suite of new programs designed to introduce coding to people of all ages and experience levels . . . and the response has been exceptional!
Crack the Code is a fun, one-off event where the whole family can experience coding through toys, games, and online coding lessons.
Coding Buddies (Grades 1-3) and Code Club (Grades 4-6) pair young learners with teen volunteers to work through a six-week coding course using modules from code.org.
codeTeen is an ongoing weekly program for teens; each participant can choose their own interest area and projects, and get help from volunteers with extensive coding experience.
Finally, Drag ’n’ Drop in Thursdays at our new popup space in the Lido is a basic coding program just for adults, based on the codeTeen model.
The programs were inspired by code.org, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing access to computer science education. They offer a range of short self-directed lessons on basic coding concepts, and they make it fun by including popular licensed characters from Frozen, Minecraft, and Angry Birds, and computer science celebrities like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.
That was the key—high quality, self-directed resources created by computer science and education experts. Using those resources meant that Carrie’s team could be sure each patron was getting the chance to learn what they were most interested in, and also let the team standardize the program so it could easily grow. This expert-generated content also provides the scaffolding that kids need in order to learn new concepts successfully.
Incremental Improvement
A crucial part of the Design Team’s thinking approach is iteration—trying something, then fixing pieces that don’t work as expected, and trying it again. Throughout the fall sessions, the Design Team will be observing and evaluating the coding programs, and working to make them better for the next session. Feedback from Service Delivery is an important part of this process, so we will also be talking to the staff hosts and volunteers at each community library to make sure these programs are the best possible fit for our community libraries.
Introducing Stephanie Nemcsok
Stephanie Nemcsok, Service Design Lead
Stephanie Nemcsok is a new Service Design Lead with a passion for human-centred design and a love of stories, especially biographies and those with interesting characters. She holds a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto’s iSchool, an undergraduate degree in International Development Studies from Queen's University, and has completed coursework with IDEO. Her informal learning practice includes over ten years of experience designing and leading public programming, school programming, and teacher and adult professional learning experiences. She has worked in science centres, art galleries, museums, archives, universities, and historic sites in Canada and abroad. Most recently, she was at TELUS Spark for four years, where she used her core drivers of curiosity and collaboration to develop experiences and lead teams that pushed boundaries. A career highlight was working for Nelson Mandela at his foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Stephanie joins the Calgary Public Library Service Design Team with an initial focus on supporting the development of the team’s design-thinking practices; supporting the team in prototyping new, member-centred programs and services with Service Delivery for New Central Library; and collaborating on a pilot of a streamlined evaluation process for programs. Stephanie was most excited to join the Service Design Team because of the opportunity to be part of Calgary Public Library as it reimagines its role in our city. She is also honoured to work for an organization that strives to be a barrier-free resource for all Calgarians.
Stephanie loves to travel and has lived in six countries. She has a unique laugh that you’ll definitely hear, as she’s always laughing, often at herself (according to Stephanie). Ask her about herbariums. She’s a big fan.
Digital Resources Updates
Overdrive
The newest Kobo e-reader, Kobo Aura One, has built-in integration with OverDrive. This great new feature allows members to easily borrow from the Library!
Aura One users can sign in with a free OverDrive account and a valid Library card to borrow eBooks from the Library right on their device. Members with the Aura One have the option to borrow or place holds on any eBooks in Kobo’s catalogue that are also available through the Library. This means Aura One users can buy, borrow, and preview books all from the same catalogue.
For more information, visit Overdrive’s Kobo FAQ page.
Hoopla
The new Hoopla 4.0 has been released! The updated website features improved search functions, a faster mobile browsing experience, built-in audio players, filtering options, and updated category landing pages to allow for quick browsing of collections and genres.
It’s important to note that Library members will have been logged out during the process of upgrading the website. They will need to log in using their email and password. If they’ve forgotten their login information, Hoopla is happy to help with password inquiries, or members can use the “forgot password” link to change it themselves.
Art and Exhibits at the Library
Create! in the East Village's display at Central Library
Through its collections, the Library provides access to a wide range of expressions of knowledge, creativity, imagination, intellectual activity and thought in a welcoming and supportive environment. With this goal in mind, the Library provides space to local creators, community organizations, and community groups for the temporary display of their work.
Free exhibit space at the Library enables visitors to participate in the creative life of their community, provides local creators and organizations with a valued avenue for exhibiting their work and telling their story, and helps reflect the diverse cultural interests of Calgary and its neighbourhoods.
The Library is proud to feature original art that is compatible with Calgary Public Library’s mission, vision, and values (calgarylibrary.ca/mission), and consistent with the principle of respect for the dignity and worth of all people. The displays and presentations must be free of advertisements or solicitations for recruitment, business, or fundraising.
Applications to use Library premises for the purpose of featuring art must be made in writing to the Exhibits at the Library Committee, using the forms on the Library website (calgarylibrary.ca/calgary-public-library-exhibits-space-contract).
Calgarians Love the Library!
Calgary Public Library conducted three satisfaction surveys between May and August. These surveys help us see how we’re doing, what our members are happy with, and how we can better achieve our goal of improving the experience, ease, and convenience of using the Library.
In rating the quality of Library spaces, 66.6% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied. Members were especially positive about the study tables and reading areas, as well as the program areas, Children’s Libraries, and Early Learning Centres.
The online Library experience received high marks, with 74.8% of respondents satisfied or extremely satisfied with their access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, movies, music, online courses, virtual reference services, and the E-Library.
The best news? Members are happy about their experiences in the Library; 78.3% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their in-Library experiences, and 83.8% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with Library staff!
Questions about these surveys? Email planning@calgarylibrary.ca for more information. Please include “Perception Surveys” in the subject line.
Clink the links below to see to the full results of the surveys.
Winter Word Fair
The Library kicks off the holiday season with the second annual Winter Word Fair—our one-stop bookish Christmas shop featuring unique vendors, entertainment, and refreshments.
Members can take advantage of the Library’s in-house expertise to buy great reads during the most popular book-giving period of the year, and also visit unique, artisan vendors selling wares with a bookish theme.
The first 50 people to arrive will get an opportunity with a personal shopper, who will match them to the perfect reads for everyone on their list, and will receive their very own gift bag to fill with incredible bookish gifts.
Central Library
Thursday, December 1 | 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Everyone welcome!
A New Home for the Library Foundation
The Calgary Public Library Foundation recently moved from Memorial Park Library to the Hillier Block, adjacent to the New Central Library site.
Built in 1910, The Hillier Block (429-8th Avenue SE) is one of seven pre-World War I commercial structures still standing in the East Village. The three-story building was renovated by CMLC and acted as their headquarters until they moved into the St. Louis Hotel building in July.
The Foundation will occupy the top two floors of the building. Plans include the creation of a New Central Library Experience Centre on the main floor. All Foundation phone numbers remain the same, and everyone is welcome to come by and visit!
Due to the move, the Library Foundation is no longer able to accept book donations. Library members are being directed to their community library for small book donations (up to 20 at a time), while plans for the receipt of larger donations are being finalized. Stay tuned!
Library Connect
The November–December Library Connect arrives in libraries October 11–12.
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