Digital Media Training is coming to a library near you! Attend this FREE one-day train-the-trainer workshop and learn how to be a Media Mentor for families with young children.

The children and families that libraries serve are increasingly using digital media to access learning materials. At the same time, many parents lack the guidance and support they need to use digital media in ways that are effective and productive to their children's education. In March 2015, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Board of Directors adopted the white paper "​​​​​Media Mentorship in Libraries Serving Youth" to address this issue. This report calls upon librarians who serve youth to act as Media Mentors, and provide parents with guidance to increase their digital literacy. In order to be effective Media Mentors, librarians need to acquire new technology strategies that have a positive impact on early learning.

 
Through a train-the-trainer teaching model developed by Cuyahoga County Public Library, any librarian serving youth in Ohio will have the opportunity to learn these strategies and teach them to other librarians who serve youth. Participants will:
* Learn the difference between using media passively and actively.
* Increase understanding of how to use technology effectively during storytime.
* Increase confidence in ability to speak to families and co-workers about new media.
* Increase the number of trusted sources used for making technology and interactive media recommendations.
 
Regional trainings will take place around Ohio this fall, led by librarians who participated in initial train-the-trainer workshops in April 2016. The trainers represent Cleveland Public Library, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Stark County District Library, Worthington Libraries, and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
 
Please consider registering two librarians who serve youth in your library or system, if possible. These are train-the-trainer sessions. Attendees will be empowered to return and train the staff of their library system and/or neighboring libraries. Through this model, librarians serving youth throughout the state will have the ability to act as Media Mentors. 
 
The fall workshops will take place:
Friday, September 23 (Toledo)
Friday, October 28 (Loveland – Cincinnati area)
Thursday, November 10 (Cleveland AND Toledo)
Wednesday, November 16 (Worthington – Columbus area)
Wednesday, November 30 (Canton)
Thursday, December 15 (Youngstown)
 
Sign up for the training of your choice:
http://ohiodigitalmediatraining.weebly.com/registration.html
 
​This project was made possible by the State Library of Ohio with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.