The Library Screen Scene: Film and Media Literacy in Schools, Colleges, and Communities

In the past two decades, several U.S. states have explored ways to mainstream media literacy in school curriculum. However one of the best and most accessible places to learn this necessary skill has not been the traditional classroom but rather the library. In an increasing number of school, public, and academic libraries, shared media experiences such as film screening, learning to computer animate, and video editing promote community and a sense of civic engagement. The Library Screen Scene reveals five core practices used by librarians who work with film and media: viewing, creating, learning, collecting, and connecting. With examples from more than 170 libraries throughout the United States, the book shows how film and media literacy education programs, library services, and media collections teach patrons to critically analyze moving image media, uniting generations, cultures, and communities in the process.

Renee Hobbs is an internationally recognized authority on digital and media literacy education. She has authored nine books and over 150 scholarly and professional articles examining media literacy education in the context of K-12 education. Author of Copyright Clarity: How Fair Use Supports DigitalLearning, Hobbs has created award-winning multimedia curriculum and offered professional development programs for educators and librarians on four continents.

Liz Deslauriers is a writer and consultant. As an advocate for kids’ creative learning experiences, she facilitates programs and workshops to promote film and media literacy through her affiliation with the Media Education Lab at the University of Rhode Island and the Providence Children’s Film Festival. Liz’s work with children’s media stems from experience in the toy industry writing and creating brand storytelling and marketing content for toys and games.

Pam Steager is a Senior Researcher and Writer at the Media Education Lab at the University of Rhode Island. Her prior thirty-year career was in the education and human service fields. After completing the Media Literacy Scholars program with Renee Hobbs in 1999, she directed the Media SmART! Project in the Providence Public Schools. She has trained more than 3000 educators, librarians, journalists and students nationally and internationally. As a media creator, she authored an opinion column for fifteen years, has produced videos and community access television, and has performed as an actress, storyteller, and stand-up comedian.