Interactivity Take II

For some reason I can't respond to Rene''s post so I'm starting a new one. I took the advice and blogged this morning - please njoy!

We just came from the early morning Marketplace Breakfast (it was early – my body was still on CA time). It was a fabulous breakfast (ok food – the folks were amazing). It was fascinating!

I secretly hid a notepad and pen under my napkin to write down everyone’s name and take notes (early morning and bad short term memory don’t mix – this saved my life).

At our table was Bill from VA, Eric from the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Judy from St. Louis, Sonya from Champagne, IL, Kevin Tucson, AZ, Pam Raleigh, NC, and Jan from Omaha, NE. Our group was quite friendly at the table and all seemed interested that a library was at the library. I think we’re getting the nod of approval from the other museums when they here about our project and move towards the second floor.

What has really struck me is that everyone in this field that I have met has been so open and genuinely wants to help and give information. I think most of us are like this in the library field as well.

The morning discussion covered where everyone was from and in short what we were all doing here. Omaha is interested in focusing entirely on building their own exhibits. Brooklyn is looking at restructuring their exhibit staff. We passed on some brief info about our PAL research and our plans for the second floor.

Thanks to Jan I got all the goods on the Omaha museum! They’re about 45,000 sq. ft. 2 traveling galleries (3,000 & 11,000). Open 6 days a week. They typically get about 1500 on a busy day and 300 on a slow winter day. They’re running on winter hours about 10 to 4. Offering a members only hour from 9 to 10. In the summer they extend hours until 5 and extend Thurs. until 9. They have about 16 fte and 15 pt. They keep at least 4 people on the floor with exhibits. They do birthday parties, summer camp, and … the sleepover. They’re looking offering a lock in instead from 6 to 11. They said staffing is really difficult and they like to get multiple groups in for one evening.

Jan also gave me a flyer with the info on their new traveling exhibit they were unveiling based solely on PIZZA! It’s super cute. Obviously math and fractions are a part of the exhibit. There is also a cultural element where children can learn about what other cultures eat on their pizza. My favorite – a pizza couch!

The best info. Gained from the breakfast – a new cleaning product! Apparently Omaha has won an award for the use of a hospital grade non-toxic cleaning product. It’s called aquaver (spelling? – I got Jan’s card – she’ll pass on more info.).

It’s a concentrate solution that can be mixed into spray bottles and even wipes can be purchased! Jan told us they work with local hospitals to have a day for children with suppressed immune systems to come in right after toys are cleaned on Sunday night.

Just fascinating! I’ve been blogging in our keynote session which started with Aztec dancing, the very funny mayor, and awards for other museums including San Jose for their zero waste policies, La Habra, Madison, an others. I’m going to tune in to hear Dr. Johnetta Cole. I thought she was really moving.

Her main message was very inspiring – which is we need diversity in children’s museums for children’s sake and all of our sakes. Children’s museums are about teaching and educating children about our world – and should model diversity. She believe it starts with diversity in staff (gender, race, ethnicity, orientation, physical abilities). Diversity is the key to a better, more just, more peaceful world. Children’s museums can inspire and teach these values. Dr. Cole suggests internships, fellowships, and programs to reach out to underrepresented communities to help grow diversity in the program.

She said that the basis of diversity is human empathy – we do not need to be of a race, ethnicity or gender to empathize or respect. Her analogy was “if black teachers have been teaching Shakespeare for all of these years – it’s ok for white teachers to teach Baldwin and Zora Neale Hurston.” Dr. Cole emphasized that play is different in many cultures and we should respect equally Western parent swho will play on the floor with their children vs. other cultures who sit and watch their child. The important link is that both cultures engage with their child fostering learning and play.

She also told us about a wonderful exhibit reinforcing this diversity in staff found in the Brooklyn Children’s Museum called, “Our Stories.” It made me think about our digital storytelling Grant. The premise of the exhibit was that each staff member had to respond to a series of questions: I was born / I remember / I realize / I wish / I am / My hope is.” These questions allowed staff to share their stories and connect with the community and see how their story, the pieces connect. I thought that was just great. Maybe something we could do at our Local History Night?

Dr. Cole also said that children’s museums have a responsibility to invite “challenging conversations” in an age appropriate matter. She said many children’s museums stay away from “controversial exhibits” and perhaps that is why the receive a bigger audience, which is also why they have a responsibility to address these issues.

She ended with some wonderful sayings from a variety of cultures:

Lakota/Sioux: “with all things and all beings we must be caring.”
The Koran: “we are made into nations and tribes that we may know and love each other.”

Church song: “I’m going to add the color brown. Red, yellow, black, brown, and white – we are all precious in his sight.”

Chinese proverb: “one flower never makes a Spring.”

Audrey Loud: “it is not our differences – it is our silence about our differences that harms us.”

I thought it was a great keynote speech about an important layer of play. Play is fun (that’s the best part) – but it is so important. There are many layers of education creating not only better brains, but a better society.

I think we do diversity at the library really well. We not only have a diverse staff, but we use that diversity in our programming and of course - cultural arts nights! I think we work very hard at doing outreach in our community and trying to bring back the feelings and information to reflect in our collection. So I thought it was a kudos moment for us.