Romanian public library teaches young people media literacy skills

'Alexandru D. Xenopol’ Arad County Library, Romania: ‘App Library’ project

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ABOUT THE RESOURCE

TYPE:
Case Study
AUTHOR:
EIFL-PLIP
DATE:
October 2015
DOCUMENT LANGUAGE:
English
OTHER LANGUAGES:

'Alexandru D. Xenopol’ Arad County Library in Romania’s ‘App Library’ project  teaches teenagers online media literacy and e-literacy skills. In just one year (2014/15), with support from the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme, and working with the Arad County School Inspectorate and teachers, the library developed a comprehensive eight-module media literacy and e-literacy training course for young people. The library trained and awarded certificates to 199 teenagers.

The library’s curriculum, which is now available to schools and libraries across the country, fills a key gap in the Romanian education system: in 2009 and 2013 research found that media literacy and e-literacy were not adequately addressed at schools, and that teachers did not have the skills or confidence to teach these subjects.

The project has changed perceptions of the library in the community – partner organizations, teachers and students now see the library as a dynamic space offering knowledge and skills of immediate value in daily life.