This project applies collection development and management methods to improve users’ access to diverse early childhood resources that are relevant, accurate, inclusive, and free of bias. High-quality diverse books that children can both identify with and learn from are key to building an understanding of the world, a respect for its cultures, and in shaping a positive self-identity. As a result of this project, educators will also be able to more efficiently select and utilize resources aligned with their needs, which in turn has a positive impact on students.

In 2007, a group of Washington State Library directors formed the Early Learning Public Library Partnership (ELPLP). The ELPLP worked to create awareness around the role public libraries play in early learning. Because of the organizations work and success, in 2017 Legislatures changed the Early Learning Advisory Council membership to include library representation. Though the ELPLP made great strides for libraries in the early learning world, there was little done to document those efforts. By documenting the creation and work of the ELPLP I hope to provide a point of reference and inspiration for others interested in early learning.

Children and teens who are hospitalized and/or with special needs are groups of patrons who can benefit from library resources, but most of them may not be able to visit libraries to seek information or attend the programs that they like due to health problems. The Hand-in-Hand Portal aims to facilitate the information needs of hospitalized young patrons and/or children and teens with special needs, which allows them to have opportunities to engage in library programs, look for library resources and interact with library staff from San Francisco Public Library.

The San Francisco History Center (SFHC) at the San Francisco Public Library’s main branch houses a wealth of primary sources and ephemera that document life in San Francisco. While SFHC has increased its classroom visits for youth in recent years, there is opportunity to better engage K-12 students by while following educational standards such as Common Core, California History-Social Science Framework, and Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy. This project investigates and recommends methods to streamline the educational offerings of the SFHC and design a sample lesson plan that equips students with primary source literacy and neighborhood research skills.

My task was to curate an online exhibit for University of Washington Special Collections, highlighting the rare early twentieth-century Russian children’s books that were recently donated to Special Collections by the Harer family. I selected and digitized fifty of the most historically significant books, conducted background research, and wrote contextual essays on children’s book design, juxtaposing the pre-revolutionary dream-world of stylized ornament with the constructivist, geometrical forms of the revolutionary era. Now people throughout the world will have access to these important books, which are not only for children but are also works of art in themselves.

Kalapuya High School, an alternative school in Eugene, Oregon, has accumulated a collection of books that serve as the school’s library. However, they had no system to inventory the collection, nor was there a method for borrowing or organizing materials. This limited patrons' ability to assess the collection and use the library as a tool. By digitally cataloging the collection, implementing an organizational system for the materials, and by creating a blueprint for a designated library space, access to the collection has been increased and the library can be used as a tool for recreational and academic purposes.

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) would like to launch the first interactive program where families read a picture book with a corresponding art work in the galleries. Currently, SAM is unsure about how to create a program involving literacy and programming. The skills I acquired at the iSchool will be beneficial from a library information perspective. I created a teaching plan that included my philosophy on best practices, two new book/art pairings, and a survey that will help the museum launch a successful, ongoing literacy program that will promote art appreciation, diversity, and encourage creative freedom in children.

In Seattle, many youth and young adults experiencing unstable housing rely on their case managers to help them through periods of adversity. However, the lack of a centralized platform for collaboration hinders this process for both sides. Milestone empowers youth and young adults to navigate the path toward stability by providing a single point of contact and cooperation with their case managers. By integrating messaging and the creation of goal plans into a single platform, youth and young adults can work with their case managers to achieve success, one milestone at a time.

With the need for teachers to focus on the common core there isn’t enough time in the day to plan multiple lessons to put these concepts into a real world context. In order to provide educator support I conducted teacher surveys to identify areas of STEAM curriculum where they need support. As a result I’ve created a Mobile Makerspace for Coupeville Elementary School. This Mobile Makerspace includes 30-45 minute STEAM lessons and all the materials needed to turn any classroom into a makerspace. This Mobile Makerspace not only supports the teachers but most importantly, it benefits the students.

We used participatory design (PD) as a way to fully incorporate the voice of children in the development of children’s library programming. Using KidsTeam-UW as a model, we worked for ten weeks with a group of eight 6-9 year-old children, focusing on a different aspect of 3D printing each week. Data in the form of session notes, photos, and video recordings were analyzed to determine important elements and best practices for a printing program, as well as guidelines for librarians to incorporate the practice of PD in their own program development.