Carson City celebrates National Library Week with noted author Milton Chen tonight at BAC

Author Milton Chen makes a presentation at the Adams Hub in Carson City, Nev., on Thursday, April 12, 2018. The session is part of the Carson City Library’s celebration of National Library Week, which also includes a free forum about workforce development tonight (Thursday) led by Chen from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center Black Box Theater.

Milton Chen is senior fellow and executive director, emeritus at the George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF), a nonprofit operating foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area that utilizes its multimedia website, Edutopia.org and documentary films to communicate a new vision for twenty-first-century schools.

In the second photo, Michael Valenti, with XR Libraries, demonstrates virtual reality tools to Aline Hunter during the Carson City Library’s Knowledge Summit at the Adams Hub. The XR Libraries team will also be on-hand to offer virtual reality demonstrations to the public at the BAC, 449 W. King St.

This week the Nevada State Library joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating the many ways libraries are leading opportunities for everyday people to learn new skills, explore emerging technology and connect face to face.

April 8 -14 is National Library Week, and Thursday, April 12 the Carson City Library is hosting a Knowledge Summit from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center Black Box Theater. The moderated question and answer discussion, among six local and statewide leaders, will be facilitated by Dr. Chen. The event is free.

Chen’s book Education Nation, the six leading edges of innovation will frame the discussion about the leading edges as seen in the region.

One of the discussion panelists is Nevada Department of Administration Director Patrick Cates who will share with the group his vision to transform the current Nevada State Library into a Knowledge and Innovation Center. The redesign will provide a new environment for state employees to strengthen work skills in technology and problem-solving, develop synergistic approaches to challenges, and create efficiencies that cross state agency lines.

“As we strive to provide efficient and responsive public service in state government, I envision a facility such as the Knowledge and Innovation Center to be an integral capstone in our approach to take customer service, business processes and employee enrichment capabilities to the next level,” said Cates. With the help of a reimagined state library, Cates believes state employees can be increasingly self-directed in 21st century skill development and 21st century public service.

Another panelist, Karsten Heise, Technology Commercialization Director with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and member of the State Council on Libraries and Literacy will advance the Youth Edge portion of Chen’s book – spotlighting the vital role of learning pathways driven by science, technology engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) to support Nevada’s new economy.

“Innovation and transformation seem to be two words to describe what is currently taking place in Nevada Libraries. It is so satisfying to see librarians taking a full-fledged seat at the table with technology and workforce development leaders throughout the state,” said Nancy Cummings Schmidt, Chairwoman of the Nevada State Council on Libraries and Literacy.

John MacLeod, Executive Director of XRLibraries whose team is leading the deployment of virtual reality in libraries across the country will address the Technology Edge.

"Immersive Xtended Reality is transforming how we learn, communicate and work in the 21st century. Putting virtual, augmented and mixed reality systems in Nevada libraries makes this technology available and accessible to all members of the community. Nevada youth and adults can now start making their future realities come true. Hats off to the library leadership for having the vision and focus to make this happen,” said John MacLeod Executive Director XRLibraries.

Tricia Wentz, Western Nevada College’s Jump Start Coordinator will discuss the Time/Place Edge and Carson City Mayor, Bob Crowell focused on the Thinking Edge will reflect on how Carson City’s library achievements have been driven from a long view of success and multijurisdictional coordination.

Ron Swirczek, President of the Carson City School Board will talk about the Curriculum & Assessment Edge distinguishing that today’s learning trends are being driven by expectations students demonstrate key skills through project-based learning, and less from test scores and assessment.

“It’s very exciting to see how Nevada’s libraries, at the local and state levels, and in universities, are partnering with schools and industry to invent the future of the state,” said Chen, “the world of work is changing rapidly, and these partnerships offer the best chance for Nevada’s youth and adults for success and for communities to thrive.”

Library-led statewide workforce initiatives
In Clark County partners are engaged in a first of its kind in the nation project leveraging four different library systems and the region’s One-Stop Career Centers. These libraries are the first to embed One Stop centers inside library buildings and work as allied partners toward the same goals. The State Library has licensed the Nevada Career Explorer for the project, which is a career information database for use with a library card. It’s designed to help people understand the broad industry mix of the regional and statewide economy and then chart a plan to take their place in it.

“Hosting One-Stop Centers in the public libraries is an excellent example of effective and innovative partnerships across public agencies. By leveraging different public funding streams together, the tax-payer receives a greater return on investment. Increased access points in the heart of the communities they live in and reduced infrastructure costs means more employment and training services for more people who need them,” said Jaime Cruz, Executive Director Workforce Connections of Southern Nevada.

“In the end, this is an important way the State Library can help evolve Nevada’s public libraries to include a deeper career facilitator role to connect patrons with employment and career information needs and/or work effectively with career counselors who are their new roommates, embedded within the public library landscape,” said Tammy Westergard, Assistant Administrator for the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records.

Nationally recognized
The Carson City Library is one of 29 finalists for the 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to their communities, for 24 years the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to service and making a difference for individuals, families and communities. In 2014 Las Vegas Clark County Library District won the IMLS National Medal. The five 2018 library medalists will be announced in mid-May.

“Looks like our libraries and librarians are in for some engaging and productive times,” said Schmidt.