Report on the ASCEL Conference 2014

Report on the ASCEL Conference 2014

Amanda Brown

As part of its commitment to supporting the development of future leaders of library services to children and young people, ASCEL invited local authorities to submit an application for a sponsored place at the 2014 ASCEL conference.

The authorities were asked to identify a library employee developing leadership skills, who was not yet a member of ASCEL, who may be a children’s/schools library services manager in the future. Candidates, along with a supporting statement from their Head of Service, were asked to complete an application form outlining:

• Why the conference would be of benefit to the applicant
• What they hoped their next professional role would be

Three candidates were successful in their application and were requested to tweet from the conference, create a blog for the ASCEL website and also write a report identifying learning and future actions as a result of their attendance.

The Conference

The focus for the two day conference was “Libraries – Reading – Culture- Creativity : exploring reading as a cultural activity and libraries as an integral element of the cultural landscape”

The conference aims included:

• Giving people current strategic landscape pictures
• Learning from best practice
• Exploring solutions for common challenges
• Equipping people with the tools and information to support development and delivery of services within a reduced resource framework
• Opportunities for networking

The conference commenced with a question time panel and this was followed by a series of workshops and seminars which were delivered by leading experts from the world of literacy including author Philip Ardagh, Ciara Eastell President SCL and Jason Vit, Literacy Hubs Manager. An exhibition from a range of popular children’s book publishers was also on display.

The workshops and seminars focused on various aspects of reading and culture within public libraries and schools library services. My personal highlights across the two days included, meeting author Philip Ardagh, networking with peopleworking in various roles from across the country, having conversations with people who were just as passionate about libraries and books as myself! but most importantly, listening to the many seminars on how reading and libraries are an integral part of today’s culture.

I found all of the speakers throughout the conference to be interesting and informative, but for me, the following three were particularly fascinating : Campbell Storey, Storey Communications : Making your case for libraries supporting reading as a cultural activity (the elevator speech)

Campbell, a researcher and teacher in communication skills, spoke of the importance in today’s business society of getting a message across quickly and informatively by using the “elevator speech.”

The elevator speech is a short summary used to quickly and simply define a product, service or organisationto get the point across.The name "elevator speech" reflects the idea that it should be possible to deliver the message in the time span of an elevator ride. If the conversation inside the elevator in those few seconds is interesting, memorable and succinct, the conversation will continue after the elevator ride.

Campbell stressed the importance of the format of the elevator speech which should include a statement, two pieces of evidence and a case study to support the information. When creating an elevator speech the focus should include specific areas to ensure maximum impact and minimum time:

What you want the person to think about – make an impression

What is your role – think as a librarian

Positivity – avoid explaining the problem, be enthusiastic

Keep it short - 30 seconds to 2 minutes

Accessible – jargon is the enemy of persuasion

Evidence – choose you evidence carefully, make it about people

Memorable – leave them thinking about what you have said

I found this presentation to be enlightening and extremely interesting. I also found the practical activity of creating an elevator speech as a group very useful. I think this information has helped me reflect on my own workplace conversations and how I can construct them in a more concise and positive way. In my role at Schools Library Service, teachers are notoriously short on time and hard to contact. Having this communication tool will be useful in getting across a positive message about the serviceto the relevant people, in a short space of time. By adopting this method, I am sure I would cement future subscriptions whilst also improving customer care.

Another speaker who I found very interesting wasDorothea Mueller, The Children’s Society – Children : Good Childhoods and Well-Being Research.

The Children’s Society initiated research on children’s well-being in 2005. “The Good Childhood Report 2014” contains findings from the research and revealed that England is lagging behind other countries when it comes to how happy and satisfied its children are. The report found that while most children had a relatively high level of wellbeing, around half a million children in the UK have low wellbeing and there is significant room for improvement.

Dr Dorethea Mueller presented some key factsfrom the reports which were relevant to libraries including :

• Children who use computers and the internet regularly have higher well-being than children who do not.

• Children who felt poorer were twice as likely to say they were unhappy and almost three times more likely to say they had low life satisfaction.
• The way children behave and the activities they take part in have a clear impact on their well-being, and parents' own well-being and behaviour affects their children.

As part of the research undertaken, questions were asked such as :

How often do you…

draw, paint or make things, not at school?

read for enjoyment, not for school?

use the internet, not at school?

exchange messages with friends on the internet?

visit a social networking website on the internet

The association between the frequency of the above activities and children’s wellbeing was noted, ie. a higher frequency of reading for pleasure meant a higher level of well-being. The reasons for this were still to be determined but possible links were :

good reader = higher literacy skills

higher literacy skills = higher academic grades

higher grades = higher well-being

Five actions have been proven to increase levels of wellbeing in adults (learn, connect, give, active, take notice) and with slight modification,can also work for children. Dr Dorothea explained these actions and how libraries play a key role in the wellbeing of children:

LearningLibraries are a space of learning and books can provide inspiration Just 7% of children who read for fun most days or every day have low well-being – this rises to 21% for those who never or hardly ever do so.

ConnectLibraries are a social space where children can hang out, meet friends, use the internet. Children able to connect online have higher levels of wellbeing

Creative/PlayLibrariesprovide a schedule of regular fun activities including craft events, rhymetimes and play. Only 7% of children who learn new things for fun most days or every day have low well-being– this rises to 17% of children who never or hardly ever do so

ActiveChildren can find out about local sports activities or select books about their favourite sport. Even the walk to the library can be an active activity. Children who regularly play sports or active games have higher well-being than children who do so less regularly.

Take noticeLibraries are part of a child’s varied environment where they can relax and reflect on their experiences. 5% of children who notice and enjoy their surroundings most days or every day report low well-being – this rises to 33% for children who never or hardly ever do so

I found this presentation crucial in allowing me to observe the library space from a child’s point of view. The diverse range of books and the welcoming atmosphere make libraries instrumental in increasing children’s wellbeing levels.

Libraries can be a place of safety for children who may be experiencing bullying or a place of refuge for someone with family issues, and the inclusive nature of the service welcomes any person from any ethnic background through its doors. The service provides a wide selection of books that youngsters can identify with and the free internet accessallows children, from any household, to connect to anyone, anywhere in the world.

I think the information provided by the Children’s Society is extremely useful and library staff should be aware of the vital role that libraries play in the wellbeing of children. I feel that I amnow more mindful of children’s wellbeing and am aware of the importance of library activities and the impact they can have.The presentation has given me a wider understanding of what children need to improve their wellbeing and I will certainly consider thiswhen organising future events.

The next speaker that I found interesting wasBen Lee, Shared Intelligence : Digital Reading Research

Ben Lee from Management Consultants Shared Intelligence, gave a fascinating overview ofthe report “Children’s Digital Needs and Libraries” in which research was undertaken on behalf of CILIP on digital reading and the use of technology in pre-school and primary children.

Using focus groups, desk research and case studies, the company reviewed how children are using digital technology for learning, how digital technology is changing and how libraries can aide children’s learning in the future. The company also studied how children use digital technology as part of reading for pleasure, learning and creativity.

The presentation also highlighted digital trends relevant to librariessuch as :

• The pace and scale of change in digital technology is set in continue or even increase over the next ten years

• Broadband speed will continue to increase
• The experience of “going online” will be replaced by “always connected” via multiple devices such as smart phones and tablets as well as potential internet connected devices such as watches, home systems and tvs
• Print remains popular but e-books usage is on the rise, with text to audio and changeable fonts completely transforming reading experiences for children
• Technology is increasingly affordable, sophisticated and portable and will allow us to become more creative

Ben went on to explain that 11 million Britons are still not online and though the cost of technology is decreasing, it is thought that the elderly, low income families and people with disabilities,will still find digital technology difficult to obtain. This is worsened by the fact that people with poor credit history are required to pay more for mobile phones and data services than those with good credit history.

The research undertaken by Shared Intelligence alsoexamined the positive impact of technology on today’s children andshowed that they are not dominated by technology but are immersed in it, with three quarters of the UK’s children already having access to a touch screen device. The research also showed that, compared with adults, children are more confident in their knowledge and understanding of new technologies, and are less likely to be confused by new technologies.

Another important finding was the fact that children are findinglearning bydigital media more interesting,using online games and communities such as Minecraftand Scratch. Unfortunately, though many schools nowsubscribe to online learning sites such as the web based competition Mathletics, teaching staff themselves have low confidence levels in this area and parentsare also struggling with limited knowledge oftechnology and the huge choice of applications.

The report suggests that libraries can ensure that all children get the chance to explore digital knowledge and technology by incorporating some of the following ideas

• Free access to the websites used by schools such as Mathletics so children can continue with their work in a trusted setting
• More creative thinking in events incorporating digital technology
• Young volunteers to work with staff to familiarize them to the different applications
• Providing access to basic devices such as touchscreens
• Techno clubs to encourage children to use libraries to access digital technology
• Support and advice for parents on digital skills
• Advice for parents on internet safety for their children

I think the presentation on Digital Reading Research was insightful and extremely thought provoking. The points discussed forced me to think about the advancement of digital technology and the future of libraries. Most of the recommendations within the report can be undertaken at little costand include practical activities that could make huge improvements to the knowledge and experience of library staff. This will then enable staff to confidently support both adults and childrenthrough the challenges of changing technology.

Reflections

Overall I found the experience of attending the ASCEL conference extremely fascinating. Not only do I nowhave a clearer understanding of ASCEL and its role within children’s library services, but I have also gained knowledge on national organisations such as SCL, The Reading Agency and CILIP.

The opportunity to network over the two days and talk to others who work withinchildren’s library services was invaluable. Swopping ideas, discussing projects and hearing about developments in other authorities was very interesting and has given mewider knowledge of public and schools library service across the country.

I felt from the very start of the conference, that there was a real energy and sense of community in the room. I think this is proof that everyone who attended shares the same passion for children’s reading. Thishas given me a real sense of hope and optimism for the future – with all of these organisations and services working together how can we not make a huge difference to children’s education and literacy skills?

I have also returned from the conference withrenewed enthusiasm for libraries. Listening to the manyspeakers involved has given me ideas to incorporate into my role, such as preparing an elevator speech, planning events based around digital technology and evaluating the activities that we deliver more creatively. I have already been in touch with author Philip Ardagh, who has kindly agreed to attend the BASH celebration event in March 2015 and I know everyone here in St Helens is very excited by this!

Finally for me personally, I think attending the conference has increased my confidence levels and I would like to say thank you to everyone at ASCEL for the opportunity. Across the two days of the conference I was involved in a range activities such as problem solving, brainstorming,doodling! and working practically as a team and I feel all of these activities have improved my communication and leadership skills immensely and I’m sure will benefit me in any possiblefuture leadership role that may arise.

Amanda Brown