What to expect from libraries in the 21st-century

Kourtney Andrighetto

IL, Z

What to expect from libraries in the 21st-century: Pam Sandlian Smith at TEDxMileHigh (December 16, 2013). TEDx Talks. [youtube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa6ERdxyYdo

In this TED talk, Pam Sandlian views the evolving role of libraries in the 21st-century through the lens of empathy and compassion and supports the belief that libraries are more essential to build community than ever before. Sandlian Smith provides examples of how libraries are the hub of communities and encouraging patrons to create, innovate, and dream. She provides a brief tour of her library in Colorado and an overview of the various programs available to patrons in efforts to build a community of life-long learners.

Evaluation:

This is truly an inspirational video to view and reiterates why libraries are essential in building communities of innovation and compassion. One crucial point that Sandlian Smith makes is how the mission of libraries is to create happiness before education. This idea can be applied to educational theories that support developing the whole child rather than focusing strictly on academic developments. If people feel unappreciated, ignored, and unsafe in their environment, how can learning possibly take place? I highly recommend this resource to anyone who supports this philosophy.