Chapter 2

EDUCATION PROGRAM

Although the library’s activities are a synonym for learning, and therefore education, the Education Program is mainly about ‘formal learning’. In other words, learning within institutions, e.g., schools. As a library, we provide these institutions with professional assistance. This is given through activities that promote language development and 21st century skills, not failing to mention, the pleasure of reading. We make activities happen, and organize them ourselves, and we do this not only for the library’s partners, but also for individual patrons. The goal is to learn and create together, and to increase each other’s expertise. We developed unique and significant activities within this program again in 2020.

BoekStart in de Kinderopvang (Book Start in Childcare)

New childcare locations were opened within the district of the Kennemerwaard Public Library again in 2020. We now have a partnership agreement with 43 locations, and there are already seven BoekStart consultants who work on behalf of the library, and at the childcare locations. The first two years at each new location is used to lay the foundation. That includes creating a good learning environment, reorganizing, and if necessary, supplementing the (book) collection. We are also training a story time consultant for each branch and all educational staff working there take part in interactive reading training. A read out loud plan is being written as well, including yearly workplans. All children at the relevant locations will then receive a free library membership. Parents will become actively involved in learning the importance of reading out loud, and an annual national BoekStart monitor will be carried out. During the implementation of this groundwork, the BoekStart consultants who visit the locations weekly will focus their attention on displaying role model behaviour. Reading out loud will then gradually be adopted by the educational staff members at the individual locations, so that the consultants will have more time for deeper and broader insight.

Instructions films In early 2020, the national Stichting Lezen produced new instruction films to train BoekStart consultants. The training was given at a Babbels childcare center location in Heerhugowaard. Consultants from our library and several educational staff members were filmed while reading out loud to babies, toddlers, and infants. Online contact The regular live meetings could not take place this year unfortunately due to the coronavirus. As a result, trainings, parent meetings and network meetings were almost impossible to plan. Several trainings were however modified into online trainings, webinars or presented in a padlet (a free Dutch digital notice board). The ‘Talking and Reading to Babies’ training is an example. A few organization-wide team meetings on speech and language development were held between the lockdowns. Parents shared many tips on reading out loud, story telling, and the interaction with their child, via the library website, parent portals and online media. Information bags were produced and distributed by our BoekStart consultants for the new locations. The festive opening has been postponed for now. The consultants had regular online contact with the locations throughout the year. They also distributed theme collections and, where necessary and possible, bought new materials.

In brief

Highlights from the Education Program in Childcare (BoekStart) in 2020

Look, Listen, Play, Practice

As part of the Nationale Voorleesdagen, Mediasmarties developed an online work session for front office and educational staff at the Kennemerwaard Public Library. This included working together with Cubiss WegWijzers and Denise Bontje (from DmaakthetBont). The session was filled with media for toddlers (and pre-schoolers) for story time, to look, listen, play, and practice, both with and without a screen. There was a work session (online) on media education programs and how to make use of various forms of media and indicators. During these interactive presentations we gave specific examples, theme-based, on how to read to children and how to get them to watch, listen, play, and practice. (Digital) Media does not then become an isolated entity but is integrated into the innate way children play.

Inspirational evening Nationale Voorleesdagen (national days that promote reading to children)

The Nationale Voorleesdagen began with Het Nationale Voorleesontbijt, the same as last year. It took place on Wednesday, 22 January and all participants read the picture book of the year, Moppereend. During these festive days, all is focused on reading out loud, and story books for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Our BoekStart consultants organized an inspirational evening beforehand for educational staff members and pre-school teachers to ensure we were prepared. The focus of the evening was on the book, Moppereend. It also included workshops on ‘Sign Language’, ‘Creativity’ and ‘Children’s Yoga’. The evening was a great success considering the overwhelming enthusiasm, involvement, maximum number of participants (68), and the request to repeat it again next year.

Book Start

in Childcare statistics

Municipality of Alkmaar

Total no. of childcare centers

53

Childcare centers with Book Start

9

No. of children in contact with Book Start

694

The number of foundations that participated in Book Start

Rollebol child centers in Alkmaar and Forte Childcare Center in de Rijp

2

Municipality of Bergen

Total no. of childcare centers

10

Childcare centers with Book Start

6

No. of children in contact with Book Start

263

Plus 60 in the toddler library in De Branding

The number of foundations that participated in Book Start

Forte Childcare and Blosse

2

Municipality of Castricum

Total no. of childcare centers

17

Childcare centers with Book Start

4

No. of children in contact with Book Start

385

The number of foundations that participated in Book Start

Forte Childcare and Blosse

2

Municipality of Heerhugowaard

Total no. of childcare centers

27

Childcare centers with Book Start

24

No. of children in contact with Book Start

2334

The number of foundations that participated in Book Start

Forte Childcare, Blosse, Childcare Babbels and Vila Kakelbont, 't Schelpje, Pinkeltje

6

Foundations that participated in Book Start Blosse, Forte childcare, Childcare Babbels, Rollebol Child Centers, Villa Kakelbont, ‘t Schelpje and Pinkeltje Source no. of childcare centers in the municipalities: national register childcare

Education Program in primary education

The service we provide from the Education Program to primary education is based on three disciplines. The first is the proven successful concept of the Library at School (dBos). This is a strong, long-term association between primary schools, libraries, and municipalities. Efforts are being made within this concept for the quantifiable improvement of educational results in the fields of reading and language skills, and information and media skills.

Individual projects The second discipline for primary education includes activities and projects that schools implement independently. For example, it may be organizing an introductory circuit, a selection for the children’s book week, participating in Scoor een Boek! or using the LevelUp! project on responsible gaming. This last project was in collaboration with the AZ e-sport department, the police cybercrime unit and the Brijderstichting. Extra training In the third discipline for primary education we provide extra training to teachers, which includes the Open Book to Reading Coordinator course, or an intensive program at school where teachers are given examples on the job on how to implement digital media into themes in the classroom. We also support schools, for instance, on updating the school library and the policy on digital literacy. Despite Covid-19, we’ve been able to provide a good service to the schools in 2020. Education changed as did our services. Reading and media lessons were given remotely which made them more accessible for teachers and parents. The consultant taught via Teams. Films for reading and audio fragments were produced. This way the library consultant was able to remain in close contact with the children and teaching staff. Five new consultants joined the team in 2020 who all work together with their colleagues to achieve the same goal: to combat low literacy from an early age and contribute towards media literacy for everyone in our district.

VideoLab (Video Lab)

The VideoLab was established during the initial closure of the schools in March 2020. The library’s goal was to provide ideas for digital lessons to students, teachers, colleagues, parents, and educational staff. The Education team produced creative and narrative videos related to national campaigns like the Nationale Voorleesdagen, the Kinderboekenweek or Scoor een Boek!, several times the past year. Library colleagues, and of course books, play a role in every video. We want to motivate and inspire our target group this way. The videos can be viewed in the classroom via YouTube, or on the library’s website.

In brief

Highlights from the Education Program for primary education in 2020

Children’s Book Week And back then?

The Children’s Book Week was held from 30 September to 11 October. The Kennemerwaard Public Library travelled back in time, journeying through past worlds in the VideoLab, within the context of the theme ‘And back then?’, or in other words, ‘history’: from the flood disaster in 1953 back to prehistoric man. The video has been viewed more than 1,400 times by hundreds of children at dozens of schools. The Education team developed additional material for the lower, middle, and upper primary school classes. The lessons were given by consultants and shared with teachers at the dBos schools.

Inspirational meeting for the Children’s Book Week

A special meeting took place on 15 September for inspiration in the Children’s Book Week. It was organized by Clavis Uitgeverij, Willewete Educatief Centrum, Artiance Arts Centre, Bureau Culture Primair and the Kennemerwaard Public Library. Participants were able to meet the author Mack at Clavis Uitgeverij. Two workshops were given in the library highlighting two core titles for the lower school classes. Library consultants contributed ideas for teaching and Cultuur Primair provided inspiration for drama classes on the two titles.

“Very inspiring!”

• “Good informative evening.”

• “Lots of fun new ideas!!”

• “Inspiring meeting.”

• “Lots of fun” “Very practical. Should take place more often. 😊”

Refresher session The power of reading and drawing

There was a training course in September for teachers and reading assistants in primary education. The session focused on reading and drawing and was led by Bernou Karten and Pieter Klomp who explained the importance of image and creativity, and the effect it has on how children learn.

“Great, using different techniques.”

• “Really fun to do. Many ideas for in the classroom.”

• “Good preparation and tips! Allowed the participants to use their creativity.”

• “Illustrative examples. Useful techniques.”

• “The coronavirus measures were well adhered. Clear explanation.”

Scoor een Boek! (Win a Book!)

Learning to read well is very important during childhood, but how do you motivate children to read (more)? That’s what Scoor een Boek! is all about, a perfect combination of reading and football. There’s a Scoor een Boek! school edition and a home edition. Families were able to enroll via www.scoorthuis.nl and received various exercises they could complete at home to encourage reading.

Several primary schools within the district of the Kennemerwaard Public Library joined in the school edition. The goal was to read as many books as possible. The students were encouraged by Peer Koopmeiners and Thijs Oosting from Jong AZ via video messaging. Reading books is not a competition: reading enjoyment is what’s important! After the first film (De Aftrap), a large poster was hung in the classroom. The students placed a sticker on it every time they read a book. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 crisis, not as many groups were able to participate as expected in the school edition.

LevelUp! (LevelUp!)

After last year’s success, the social project LevelUp! was given a follow-up this year. Similar to Scoor een Boek!, this is also in partnership with AZ. The objective here is to give children, parents, and teachers insight into responsible gaming in a fun way. More than 450 children from nine different schools in Heerhugowaard have been in touch with this project in 2020. The kick-off was held in January in the Heerhugowaard Centrum branch. The students’ teaching staff and parents discussed gaming within their home situation, and the effect gaming has on the child. E-sporter, Aristote Ndunu from AZ, also led the way through the virtual world. The kick-off was held via a webinar in November 2020. A visit from another AZ e-sporter (this time Dani Visser) also took place digitally. The children were so excited to have a YouTuber in the classroom and they could ask questions on camera. They rated LevelUp! with an average score of 9 and the teachers were also enthusiastic. This is something we, the Kennemerwaard Public Library, together with AZ, can both be proud of. After the 2020 success, the Kennemerwaard Public Library and AZ will collaborate with the Police Department and the Brijder for this project. The expertise of both parties will be found at different levels and in new videos.

9 schools 450 students

participated rated with an average score of 9

“Via this mail, I would like to thank you very much on behalf of all the colleagues for your dedicated lessons. They were all very enthusiastic and impressed. Definitely worth repeating.”

- teacher De Pater Jansmitschool

“I would just like to wholeheartedly thank you (consultant red.) for organizing this fantastic project! If it returns next year, you can definitely count me in! It was really lots of fun and its so cool to see that the children are still at it!”

- teacher De Hasselbraam

“I never looked to see what age group applies for a game, but I do now.”

- student De Vaart on the PEGI system bij games

“Because I really had to think about it, and I discovered I could learn a lot from gaming.”

- student De Vaart on the exercise discovering the positive sides to gaming

“Because dad had never gamed with me before and it was fun together with the board game.”

- student De vaart on gaming together

“My father and mother now understand how much fun gaming is.”

- student De Vlindertuin

Circus bags for De Fontein primary school

The students from grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 at De Fontein primary school were given a special circus bag for the May holidays. It was a bag from the library filled with all sorts of items about the circus; a book, game, juggling balls, etc. This holiday bag was an initiative undertaken by the Taalhuis. The objective was to encourage students to read, learn and play together with their parents, and both families and school were very enthusiastic. The students could come to school (either on their own or with a parent) to pick up the bag, and that alone was a real treat. We launched a similar project in the summer to encourage reading in the vacation period. This project was designed for the lower school classes, and again it was meant for children who had a reading disadvantage or who ran the risk of one. More schools participated this time compared to the initial one.

dBos Online (Library at School)

dBos Online (where dBos stands for de Bibliotheek op School) had its first anniversary in 2020. This virtual platform for instruction classes and tips on education was certainly very practical this Covid-19 year. When the Lezen en Digitale geletterdheid (literacy) consultants were not permitted to give live classes at the branches anymore, they immediately began via dBos. The first lesson #Letters schrijven met Bob Popcorn (writing letters with Bob Popcorn) was an instant success and was viewed many times. A total of 70 items were posted in 2020. The content is very broad: from puzzles to reading drama, and from drawing exercises to programming. The lessons that align with the national themes are very popular. #The Great Flood lesson is the teachers’ favourite and children, parents and carers continue to access #A puzzle every day on a daily basis. The tripartite writing competition was a change of direction. Wonderful stories were submitted, and the winner was given a beautiful prize. dBos Online can be accessed on the Kennemerwaard Public Library website and the Kennemerwaard Education Facebook page. More than 2,000 people tapped into dBos Online the past year, with a top record of 150 visitors on one day, not only through Google and Twitter, but also via the newsletter and teaching apps like Social Schools. The teachers often used Social Schools to share lessons with parents during the lockdown.

2,000 visitors

dBos Online

Renovation school library De Boomladder

Last year, the school library at the De Boomladder primary school in Heerhugowaard was completely updated thanks to the efforts of two consultants, one being the new reading consultant at De Boomladder, and in close collaboration with the school team. It began with a reorganization of the collection, and then the creation of a beautiful and challenging reading environment, including new bookcases. The result was a true eyecatcher in the spirit of the school and library. The new school library was officially opened by the students during the Children’s Book Week. They love the library, and the teachers are really pleased about it too. An increase in reading pleasure has already been noticed and the same applies for activities that promote reading.

Library Team De Zevensprong

The Zevensprong primary school in Heerhugowaard now also have their own library reading consultant since the summer vacation. Together with a colleague consultant and both reading coordinators at the school, they were able to take steps for the implementation of a library team. This is a student group that helps keep the school library tidy. The library team also helps to find new ways to make reading at school more fun. Grades 6 and 7 students could volunteer and give their suggestions on reading enjoyment at school. Motivational cards were also suggested, as well as a ‘chill corner’ in the hall and more books with a girl as protagonist. This idea was suggested by a team member who was dyslexic. The new library team members wrote motivational texts like ‘great going!’ and ‘read another chapter!’, and popped them in the books as a surprise for the reader. They also found a place in the school library where they could display their favorite book. The library team was quick to become a great success, just like other Kennemerwaard Public Library dBos schools.

Wouter Koolmees reads

A distinguished guest came to visit the students at the Kleine en Grote Beer primary school in Heerhugowaard on 22 January for the Nationale Voorleesdagen kick-off. The Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, Wouter Koolmees, came to read to toddlers and pre-schoolers in Heerhugowaard. The focus here was all about reading out loud, and story books for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Vakantielezen (Holiday reading)

Primary school children from grades 3 and 4 were invited to join in the national reading program Vakantielezen via vakantielezen.nl in the summer holiday period. From their homes, the children could discover other countries, and complete the corresponding tasks together with other family members. The library consultants distributed the necessary materials, for example, the maps, to the schools. Children could also collect a map in any one of the branches. A sticker per country could be earned and then collected in one of the branches. A prize was won when the map was completed.

"We delved into history yesterday, in line with our new theme on the way we communicate. We had a discussion on morse code, sent each other messages in morse code, and heard a real message in morse code. After that, we worked on the binary code. We worked here with numbers, forming words, and transforming our own name into a binary bracelet."

Tycho Brahe project

Students from the Fontein primary school were introduced to the 16th century scientist Tycho Brahe this year, a Willem Blaeu student, and to his astronomical discoveries and what they meant for future science. The Tycho Brahe project focuses on the book En Garde! in which this astronomist and alchemist plays a central role. The students then made their own stop-motion in the library. They quickly selected costumes and played out a scene from the book. This way they experienced the fun of digital design, and once again it was clear that media and pleasure in reading go hand in hand to strengthen mutually. This project is in partnership with the Stichting Ronduit, Clavis Uitgeverij, Artiance, Hogeschool InHolland and Kennemerwaard Public Library.

New media and technology at the Vroonermeer school

The Vroonermeer school team in Alkmaar wanted more opportunities to be made available to students so that they could experience new media and technology. The library was informed and was pleased to help out. This resulted in 30 visits to the school by a media consultant last year who demonstrated that it was not only possible to implement the medium video, but also robots, into the themes at school. In addition, she demonstrated the many possibilities digital media has to offer in the classroom, to the teaching staff and students. This sparked the teachers’ curiosity and encouraged them to use digital materials more often. Meanwhile, the students were also inspired to look from a different angle.

The Library at School statistics

Municipality of Alkmaar

Total no. of primary schools

42

Primary schools that have Library at School

20

Range of coverage - no. of students

3,136

Municipality of Bergen

Total no. of primary schools

12

Primary schools that have Library at School

5

Range of coverage - no. of students

827

Municipality of Castricum

Total no. of primary schools

12

Primary schools that have Library at School

3

Range of coverage - no. of students

971

Municipality of Heerhugowaard

Total no. of primary schools

20

Primary schools that have Library at School

12

Range of coverage - no. of students

3,757

2,634

Total no. of loans Library at School

The Kennemerwaard Public Library was in contact with a total of 8,691 children directly through the library at school, in Bergen 827, in Alkmaar 3,136, in Castricum 971 and in Heerhugowaard 3,757 children.  The number of patrons and loans from the Library at School is included in the counts by the automated loan system BICAT-WISE that is used in the branches. The number of library loans for home reading was 2,634.

Education Program in secondary education

We have a special team of consultants for students 12 years and older, the so-called Team 12+, within the Education program. These consultants work for Secondary Education (VO), the Secondary Vocational Education (MBO), and the iPABO (Bachelor in Teacher Education). We concentrate on reading and digital literacy in the secondary education stream. Classes come to the library branch for an introductory visit, or a library staff member visits the school to teach in the classes. These lessons cover social media and how to behave online, but also for the upper grades on how to make profile assignments. In the secondary vocational level, we work mostly helping students enjoy reading. Our consultant is assigned to help students discover that reading can be fun. Of course, the collection and selecting the right book plays an important role. The objective of working together with the iPABO is to show future teachers how to encourage children to read in a fun way. After all, these students will play an important role in the reduction of functional illiteracy in children. The coronavirus came into play again in this section of the Education Program last year. We were fortunate to be able to help most of the groups, and by visiting the schools, we managed to be in contact with even more students.

In brief

Highlights from the Education Program for secondary education in 2020

De Bibliotheek op School MBO (The Library at School MBO)

The Kennemerwaard Public Library began a partnership with the Clusius MBO in Alkmaar in 2020. This took place according to the approach adopted by De Bibliotheekop School MBO, with Netwerk & Beleid, Expertise, Collectie and Monitor as important building blocks. The first step has been taken to improve the reading environment and create a reading culture at school, with the support from our reading consultant. Inspirational meetings are also being organized to expand the knowledge educational staff have in areas on reading, literacy improvement, motivational reading, and the effect it has on the linguistic competence of students. It is the intention that this successful start will now continue as a long-term, sustainable partnership.

Media classes in secondary education

Despite the coronavirus, in 2020 quite a considerable number of live media lessons were given at high schools. The library consultants were always able to make suitable arrangements with the schools so that lessons could be given safely. We were able to hold media classes at the Berger Scholengemeenschap and the Dalton College in Alkmaar even before the lockdown. The students gained an understanding of their own behavior and that of others on social media; can now protect their online privacy better; and they learned how to communicate with each respectfully. Lessons about Veilig Puberen were given at the Johannes Bosco College in Heerhugowaard. As well as privacy, the use of smart phones in traffic, and concentration on homework completion (multitasking), were subjects that were also discussed in these classes.

Veilig Puberen (Safety in Puberty)

Last year many schools in the district took advantage of the Veilig Puberen lessons for students and the Veilig Puberen evenings for parents. During the lockdowns the parent evenings were held online while classes at school continued for the students. This applied to several schools in Heerhugowaard and in the Bergen district. A topic of discussion was an explanation on how an online lesson is taught and what it’s like to be given one. A successful parent evening was held at the Dalton College in Alkmaar that included a discussion with 60 interested parents. We spoke to the students at Clusius, Focus and the Spinaker not only about online behavior but also about, for example, news on the coronavirus. How do you know what to believe, and what not to believe? We also talked about what else was going on in students’ lives and what possible support could be given to help students and teaching staff. It helps to know that we can provide support during this coronavirus period. The digital environment for children continues to grow and becomes an even more dominant presence in their lives.

Profile assignment lesson

Nine 4-VMBO students from the Clusius College in Heerhugowaard received support from the library to help them complete their profile assignment. We talked about subject selection, available sources and how to know if a source is reliable. The students were then equipped with more knowledge to begin work on their profile assignments. It was a successful pilot which is now a permanent inclusion in the educational program for the profile assignment class.

Introductory visits for year 1 & 2 secondary school classes

Year 1 high school students from Jan Arentsz in Alkmaar visited the Alkmaar De Mare branch. The Heerhugowaard branch was visited by year 2 students from Focus. They completed exercises in groups on subjects about the library, citizenship, and internet.

Rondje Cultuur (Culture Tour)

The Rondje Cultuur in Heerhugowaard is an annual series of workshops for year 2 secondary school students. The library’s secondary school education team ran the ‘Kijken en Zien’ workshop last year. In this workshop students were shown how images can be manipulated. The students were able to experience this for themselves via an image editing tool in the practical assignment. This is how they learned how easy it is to be influenced by image. This knowledge will help students recognize fake news.

Municipality of Bergen

Municipality of Alkmaar

Municipality of Heerhugowaard

Media lessons Berger Scholengemeenschap

6

classes

4

lessons per class

150

students

Media lessons Dalton College

11

classes

2

lessons per class

210

students

Parent Evening Dalton College

60

parents

Introductory visits Jan Arentsz

5

classes

135

students

Culture tour

6

workshops

93

students

Introductiebezoeken Focus Praktijkschool

3

classes

45

students

Lesson Profile Assignment Huygens College

1

class

1

lessons

9

students

Media lessons Trinitas College Johannes Bosco

9

classes

2

lessons per class

218

students