Library spaces and practices have been at the center of connected learning innovations and research since the framework was first developed and documented in the first report of the Connected Learning Research Network in 2013. The model has continued to evolve, as documented in the 2020 final report of the CLRN. Researchers have collaborated with library staff and leaders to develop evaluation and professional development tools and resources.
The IMLS-funded Capturing Connected Learning in Libraries (CCLL) initiative (2016-2020) developed a series of reports, case studies, and practical tools for libraries to conduct evaluations of their connected learning programs.
This 2023 article offers background and practical strategies for evaluating connected learning programs in public libraries.
This resource gets library staff started with reflection and evaluation for program design and improvement through effective and accessible tools and strategies.
This resource page offers easy access to the evaluation case studies, instructional videos, and tools developed by the Capturing Connected Learning in Libraries project.
Anythink has been supporting connected learning programming in its Thornton, Colorado, library since 2012. This case study describes the development and use of talkback boards in evaluating Anythink’s programs in The Studio for teens.
Rockwood Library in Oregon created a 1000 square foot makerspace for teens in 2016. In collaboration with the CCLL team, they developed and analyzed talkback boards to evaluate interest discovery, skill development, and use of space.
YOUmedia in downtown Chicago is the first and flagship digital teen learning lab informed by the connected learning model. This case study describes their evaluation history and processes, and provides observation and reflection tools.
Since 2014, libraries in the Los Angeles Public Library system have been offering programs for youth focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). This case study describes how the CCLL team collaborated with LAPL staff to develop exit tickets, talkback boards, and a theory of change.
This framework for developing a connected learning-based evaluation plan asks you to think about goals of the evaluation and goals of the program, sources of data available to use, and how to analyze data collected.
Talkback boards present questions or prompts for patrons to answer by voting with sticky dots or by writing short responses on post-it notes. This repository is filled with talkback board prompts along with specifics on the outcomes each prompt helps assess.
Developing and improving connected learning efforts requires partnership that is responsive to problems of practice and community needs. These articles reflect on partnership challenges and opportunities, and offer concrete suggestions for researchers and program designers.
This 2020 report from the Capturing Connected Learning in Libraries project reflects on partnerships to develop evaluations with rural and small libraries, including challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned.
This 2021 article describes how libraries responded to the COVID-19 crisis and the movement for racial justice, arguing for the need to be responsive to community needs and assets.
This 2022 article describes research on KidsTeam Libraries, an intergenerational digital design program where youth conceptualized what digital learning could look like in libraries.
This 2021 article describes how researchers engaged in design-based implementation research with library staff to develop the ConnectedLib professional learning site for connected learning through libraries.
Serving Your Community During a Crisis: It Doesn’t Require Doing More, It Requires Doing Different
This 2021 article describes lessons from the pandemic on how library staff can partner with communities in times of crises, offering responsive essential services while reducing efforts in areas of prior investment.
Braun, Linda W., Mega Subramaniam, Keanu James Jordan-Stovall, Nisa S. Asgarali-Hoffman. “Serving Your Community During Crisis: It Doesn’t Require Doing More It Requires Doing Different.” Public Libraries 40 (1):42-50.
Researchers have partnered with libraries and library staff to gain a deeper understanding of how to support professional learning for connected learning through libraries.
This project (2021-2024) investigated the challenges and opportunities for public libraries in serving diverse teens in socially and culturally connected ways, offering reports for library staff and leaders with key findings and recommendations.
This 2023 report describes the outcomes of the T3 project that engaged library staff in professional learning in connected learning, technology, and equity. The report describes significant outcomes, and recommendations to continue to scale impacts.
This 2018 report from the Young Adult Library Services Association describes the results of a year-long effort to investigate continuing education needs and opportunities for transforming teen services in ways informed by connected learning.
This 2021 article offers new concepts related to connected learning, including “rise of a new class of influencer” as a way of understanding online professional learning.
This 2016 report offers a review of the field of connected learning through libraries, as part of the ConnectedLib project.
These reports and case studies developed frameworks for understanding the unique design features and outcomes of connected learning through libraries.
Based on qualitative research, this 2013 report documents the initial years of the first YOUmedia teen learning lab at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago, describing its key design features, and learning outcomes.
The Consortium for Chicago School Research conducted mixed methods research on teen engagement and learning outcomes at the YOUmedia teen learning lab at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago. This is their final report, released in 2013.
This case study, released in 2024 as part of the Connected Wellbeing Initiative, describes how the Seattle Public Library offers programs in support of teen mental health in ways informed by research and connected learning.