Community Outreach

Community Outreach @KSL is a service of the Kelvin Smith Library of Case Western Reserve University. The Kelvin Smith Library (KSL) provides several programs including the following.

Partnering for Information Literacy  

KSL partners with local schools and community groups to provide 21st Century Literacy skills training. 21st Century Literacy skills are those competencies that enable individuals to succeed in our technology-based environment. Components of 21st Century literacy include:

• Information Literacy--the ability to critically select, evaluate, and use information.
• Technology literacy--the ability to use computers and other devices to access, develop, and distribute information.
• Media literacy--the ability to use and create media content.
• Ethical responsibilty--the competence to recognize and acknowledge intellectual property.

These skills are essential for success in the digital environment.

Current Partners

• Project Step-Up--KSL is partnering with Case's Project Step-Up to bring the Governor's Initiative for Closing the Achievement Gap program to Case Western Reserve University. KSL and Project Step-UP are providing tutoring and other learning opportunities to Cleveland Metropolitan School District students.                                       

                     › ›  See Governor Ted Strickland’s Closing The Achievement Gap Initiative Documentary 

• Future Connections--KSL partners in University Circle, Inc.'s (UCI) Future Connections Program. We introduce Cleveland Metropolitan School District juniors and seniors to library and resource management skills.
• Office of International Student Services (ISS). KSL partners with Case's ISS to introduce students to services and resources at KSL.
•  Ethnic Studies Program--KSL partners with Case's Ethnic Studies Program to bring area high school students to campus for learning and literacy activities.

Past Partners

• Cleveland School of the Arts--KSL partnered with CSA from 2001 - 2005; KSL helped equip a computer lab at the school.
• Buhrer Elementary School--From 2002 - 2006, KSL sponsored several programs and equipped a computer lab at the school.
• Mary M. Bethune School--KSL provided  training sessions for 7th & 8th grade students during the 2006-2007 academic year.

Other Programs

Online Exhibit

• AAS@Case--African American Scholars at Case
  An online exhibit that focuses on the presence of African Americans at Case Western Reserve University since its inception.

Freely Available Resources for 21st Century Literacy

• Info-Ohio --INFOhio provides access to books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, homework help, and many other resources for OHIO students. Username and password are required for home access. See your parents and school media specialist for information on how to access this valuable resource.
• Cleveland Public Library--homework help, books, more
• College Guide
• OhioLINK --freely accessible databases
• Use the Encyclopedia Britannica
• Talk to a librarian online
• Experiments--the T.W.I.N.K.I.E.S project 

Resources for Teachers

• MiddleWeb Ideas for middle school teachers
• Bluewebn --an online library of Internet sites organized by subject, grade level,
  and format (tools, references, lessons, hotlists, resources, tutorials, activities, projects).

 Resources for 21st Century Literacy

• What is the digital divide?
• What is 21st century literacy?

   

For more information contact Earnestine Adeyemon, Electronic Resources Librarian.