Data Literacy for Youth: Using Census Data in Public Library Programming

Data literacy is increasingly an essential skill set for navigating everyday life. Learn how public libraries can increase awareness and understanding among youth of the pervasive role of data in their lives. The rich resources of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools are a valuable tool to advance data literacy, and many libraries are using Census data to foster civic education and community engagement among children and teens. The webinar speakers discuss approaches to data literacy that reach diverse populations and address real-world issues of interest to youth. Discover how public library programs and services can help children and young adults think critically and ethically about data.

Originally presented August 31, 2021.

This webinar—the third of six—was presented as part of the Census Data Literacy project, an initiative of PLA in partnership with ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office, which aims to build data literacy skills among library staff with the overall goal of promoting awareness and use of Census data in their communities. These webinars will be facilitated by Karen Brown, manager, ACRL Consulting Services.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand how youth data literacy programs can promote community engagement and civic education;
• Identify strategies to reach diverse populations for children’s and young adult data literacy programming;
• Develop ideas for youth programs and services that use census data; and
• Learn about the extensive resources of Statistics in Schools.

Additional Resources

• Slideshows:
  • Karen Brown (PDF)
  • Kimberley Glascoe (PDF)
  • Karisa Tashjian (PDF)
  • Tess Wilson (PDF)
• Links shared by Panelists:
  • Statistics in Schools (Census Bureau)
    https://www.census.gov/schools
  • Statistics in Schools Teacher Ambassador Program
    https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sis/about/education-partners.html
  • Digitunity
    http://www.digitunity.org/
  • Digitunity’s Technology Gap Map
    https://www.digitunity.org/the-issue/
  • Tableau Racial Equity Data Hub
    https://www.tableau.com/foundation/data-equity
  • Data Literacy Program at Providence Public Library
    https://www.provlib.org/teen-squad/data-navigators-2-0/
  • Data Zine Workshop Curriculum
    https://tinyurl.com/9kymb7ty
  • Urban Institute's Do No Harm Guide
    https://www.urban.org/research/publication/do-no-harm-guide-applying-equity-awareness-data-visualization
• Chat Transcript (PDF)

Who Should Attend

This on-demand webinar is intended for public library administrators and public services and outreach librarians interested in supporting youth data literacy.

Instructors

Kimberley Glascoe has been at the U.S. Census Bureau for six years, and currently serves as a marketing specialist for the Statistics in Schools (SIS) program. In this role, she works to build relationships between SIS and national education organizations, as well as overseeing the SIS Teacher Ambassador Program. She has a BS in print journalism and a MS in public relations.

Karisa Tashjian is director of programs for Digitunity. Digitunity supports an extensive network of digital inclusion practitioners, working collectively to sustain and scale long-term impact in the pursuit of digital equity for all. Karisa’s work is centered on building cohesive, integrated solutions to achieve digital equity. Prior to Digitunity, Karisa served as the director of education for the Providence Public Library in Providence, RI for 17 years, leading the design and implementation of educational and workforce development programming across all ages. Themes in her work are the power of partnerships, technology, strategic vision, and fostering opportunity for all. Karisa is a partner of World Education’s EdTech Center and mLearning team, a member of Congressman Langevin’s Education Advisory Committee, and a member of Brown University Swearer Center’s Community Advisory Board.

Tess Wilson is a librarian who loves talking loudly about digital literacy, equitable access, and citizen science. She currently serves as the program manager for the University of Pittsburgh’s All of Us Research Program Training and Education Center, and was formerly an outreach librarian at Carnegie Public Library of Pittsburgh. Beyond her library work Tess is an arts educator, mentor trainer, and zine enthusiast. She’s a collector of many things, from small rocks to big books.