Gina Seymour

Learn how to take an apolitical, unbiased stance to support students as they pursue research, literature connections, maker activities, and civic engagement projects in their communities, nationally, and globally.This book outlines school and public library programs, activities, and collaborative projects that will help students learn how to accomplish their goals in their communities. Highlighting the role of the librarian in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the book explores controversial topics to qualify and expand best practices.By incorporating the programs in the book, librarians can help students learn how to have reasoned arguments inside and outside of the classroom and to become responsible members of society. UN Sustainable Development Goals are addressed, making this book not only based in community but global in scope. Numerous examples of youth activism from volunteering to protest marches are explained and are broad enough to be applied not only to current trends but also to future causes.

This quick-start guide explains how to use inquiry to promote civic engagement in the school library makerspace and provides ready-to-use ideas for hands-on service projects.By creating for their community in the school library makerspace, young people not only develop academic and cognitive skills but also learn to value building a culture of caring. Award-winning author Gina Seymour discusses her initiative to empower students to take an active role in making a difference and outlines how to implement similar programs in any school library setting.The book may be used in school libraries in conjunction with a service learning model to extend the learning that takes place in classrooms and to make youth feel a valuable part of their community. Numerous service project ideas are presented, from simple, low-cost, no-tech, craft-based ideas to high-tech projects including 3-D models, and while the book focuses on youth in middle school and high school, many projects may also be used in elementary school. Detailed project instructions include tips for making programs inclusive for all youth, and money-saving tips to promote sustainability.