At a ceremony at the bavarian state library in munich, the state library was one of ten academic libraries and 57 public libraries to be awarded the "libraries – partners of schools" seal of approval excellent.
This is recognition of the coburg library's special commitment to working with the region's secondary schools, according to a press release. The state library has developed a two-stage training concept.
In the first module, students can familiarize themselves with the basics of library work. In a second learning unit, various methods of information and literature acquisition are taught.
For both modules, subject- and topic-specific search tasks and research examples are provided. To enable interactive learning, the historic andromeda room has been equipped as a learning space with laptops, projectors, screens and, more recently, an electronic document camera.
It is important for the regional library to supplement and update its own book collection to meet the needs of schools. Literature on preparing for the school-leaving exam, studying and choosing a career is available in an attractive open shelving system.
More electronic media
The range of electronic media is also growing steadily. In the past two years, around 150 groups with more than 2,000 students have taken advantage of the library's learning opportunities. "Schoolchildren are our strongest user group in terms of numbers. It"s mainly the W seminars from grammar schools, classes from technical colleges and vocational schools that visit us", explains graduate librarian renate bauer, who has been supervising school groups at the regional library for many years. "We are particularly pleased to have been awarded the seal of approval for the third time. It shows that we are on the right track with our offerings."
Exemplary cooperation
Since 2006, the bavarian state ministry for education and culture and the state ministry for science, research and the arts have awarded a seal of approval to public and academic libraries in bavaria that cooperate particularly intensively and in an exemplary manner with schools. The aim is to promote the commitment of libraries to cooperate with schools in the areas of reading requirements, information literacy and library services for school library work.
State secretary carolina trautner, who presented the seal of approval on behalf of bavarian education minister bernd siebler, emphasized that "libraries are important experts for our schools, enriching the teaching of literacy skills and the correct use of information resources".