Dusty, my arse ...

The work of libraries is often underestimated. Yet they are the best guide through the digital jungle, says our expert Thomas Feibel.

When it comes to digital media education for children and young people, rarely does anyone feel responsible. The school often waves it off. As many teachers are already busy teaching the rest of the school curriculum, they are happy to refer this issue to parents. Parents, on the other hand, see it as the school's duty to introduce their children to the digital world.
Both sides are right, but one important educational institution is always overlooked in this discussion: public libraries. No other educational institution in Europe is growing as quickly and organically with the media challenges of the modern age as libraries.
It is obvious why parents and schools should involve libraries more closely as an educational institution: they have the space, the digital equipment and the staff who are familiar with it.
«Switzerland has a broad and active library landscape,» says Heike Ehrlicher, Deputy Managing Director of the Bibliosuisse association. Libraries are also located in an above-average number of smaller and smaller communities. And they not only provide an extensive and high-quality media stock, but also offer additional services in the form of advice or target group-orientated events. For these seven reasons, libraries are indispensable:

1. libraries are accessible to everyone

Everyone can use public libraries. Regardless of their level of education, nationality, religion or standard of living. This is precisely why libraries are so valuable: children and young people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, for example, who have no access to a computer or tablet at home, benefit particularly from the technical equipment.
This group is specifically supported and encouraged through many special leisure activities on the internet, in subjects from the fields of maths, IT, science and technology (STEM) or with games.

2. libraries are places of encounter

Today, libraries are often referred to as a «third place» alongside school, work and home. Children and young people like to spend time in libraries to work together on their homework or presentations. Library staff are there to support them.
But even when they are not studying, the library is a favourite place to read, browse through magazines, play games or just let their minds wander. It is not uncommon for social work to be carried out here when children and young people get talking to the library staff.

3. library staff provide assistance with research

Well-founded research is essential for homework and presentations. Most students use Google and Wikipedia for this. In most cases, they are like adults: The large number of sources overwhelms them and filtering is difficult. In the library, pupils learn how to access reliable facts and distinguish them from false reports. Unlike on the internet, they have a real contact person at their side. The library is therefore more important than ever as a partner in the proven procurement of information in times of fake news.

4. save money with the help of libraries

Not everything has to be bought. Media costs money, and it is not uncommon for privately purchased items to turn out to be a bad buy. Libraries offer a wonderful service, especially for expensive purchases such as PC or console games: Anyone borrowing a game can take their time to check whether the game runs on their home devices, whether the child likes it and whether it won't get boring quickly. This is good consumer protection. The same applies to other media, of course.

5. libraries are open almost around the clock

Return machines allow books and DVDs etc. to be returned outside of opening hours. Many libraries are currently trialling Sunday opening, such as Lucerne City Library. Other libraries are trialling the «open library» format. Here, the public can use the media independently while the staff are at home. In Chur City Library, for example, library visitors aged 16 and over can use their library card to enter the premises after official opening hours and borrow media.

6 Libraries are digital worlds

WLAN and internet workstations in libraries are widespread. Libraries do not even have to be entered to use the services they offer. Users can easily borrow e-books and e-papers online. There are also film streaming services and music services for pop, jazz and classical music. In Switzerland, almost 300 libraries from Aarau to Zuoz offer this service. The service can be found at www.bibnetz.onleihe.ch .

7. libraries are innovative

In libraries, there is no fear of contact with technical innovations. They often have so-called maker spaces, workshop programmes with experiments and an explorative approach. Visitors can also find programmes on 3D printers, robotics and VR glasses or on creating stop-motion films.

Conclusion:

Hardly any other institution is as actively and comprehensively committed to the various forms of literacy as public libraries. If libraries were more closely integrated into our media education programmes, this would significantly reduce the burden on families and schools.

What parents should know about libraries:

  • Every child and young person needs their own library card.
  • Console games are a good incentive. Some children only go to libraries to borrow console games. However, they also come across a range of other media.
  • Libraries offer introductory programmes to kindergartens and all school levels.
  • Take a closer look at the reading and digital offers for children and pupils. There is also a lot on offer during the holidays.
  • If you miss any digital services in your library, ask for them. Libraries are there for the public.
  • Libraries also organise many events for children and adults.

To the author:

Thomas Feibel, 58, is one of the leading journalists on the subject of «children and new media» in the German-speaking world. The media expert runs the Office for Children's Media in Berlin, gives readings and lectures, and organises workshops and seminars.
His most recent book for parents, «Jetzt pack doch mal das Handy weg», was published by Ullstein-Verlag. Feibel is married and has four children.

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