Children's Museums & Libraries IV: what does a blended model look like?

[Justine Roberts, posting]

So what does a blended model that incorporates a library and a children’s museum together, under one umbrella organization, look like? What distinguishes it from stand-alone children’s museums or libraries?

1. By offering many modes of learning – cognitive, kinesthetic, constructive, social, experiential etc. – the blended model can support a diverse range of learners with different strengths and levels of development.
2. It can encourage families to learn together in a joyful, active environment and set the stage for a lifelong love of learning. And it can continue to serve families and individuals as their needs and skills change.
3. In providing a place to practice positive learning behaviors it supports the development of core building blocks of learning that underlie basic habits of mind and set children up for success as lifelong learners.
4. By extending the resources of the library into a hands-on environment, and continuing the tradition where any question can be asked and investigated, a blended model can connect children’s playful learning with adult interests in the world.
5. The ability to cross-pollinate ideas and share materials adds new functionality to traditional library services.
6. Information on public interests and trends collected by the Library through circulation patterns, e.g., can dynamically inform activities and exhibit themes.

There are probably other Strategies that might help to articulate this blended model. If you are thinking of one, please let me know.