Simple Positive Play at the Library is about making creative, playful, and educational resources more accessible to young people and their families. Here is a story about the formation of the small non-profit organization Simple Positive Play in the driveway of a small town and its progress to operating in a building in Ferguson, Missouri. The theories that fuel its continued growth. The organization is inspired by libraries and the concept that youth public library workers can work with the community to design services. Simple, positive play, as a concept, is about analyzing the resources available and using them to move an idea forward in manageable ways. The next step is to reflect upon those experiences in order to find small ways to improve the product or service with the input of users and stakeholders. Ways to do this include engaging in participatory design, engaging in the design thinking process and facilitating open-ended play experience. Beyond implementing programs, it is equally important to assess the impact these experiences provide for the community and share stories of successes and perceived failures. The book: Explores the nuance of the work done by youth public library workers Considers a more participatory approach to designing library services Encourages readers to recognize the benefits of open-ended exploration The thousands of public libraries located throughout the United States are learning establishments embedded in communities. The focus on youth services looks different in each location and the professionals providing these services are just as eclectic. This book promotes the collaborative process inherent in providing quality youth services within a community and will prove to be insightful for current and future library professionals, in addition to families, community leaders, and educators.
About the Author: Jennifer Ilardi worked as a Youth Services Specialist/Librarian at a large public library for over 11 years. Her experience with organizing and implementing educational and engaging programs comes from years of designing, collaborating and presenting programs that promote a library collection. She holds a Master's of Library and Information Science degree from Syracuse University and a post-graduate certificate in Youth Experience from the University of Maryland. Jennifer currently uses her talents and skills to assist families as an instructor for a group of homeschooling families. She also spends much of her time operating the nonprofit organization Simple Positive Play.