Reading Ability and the New Technology--Developments in Germany.

This paper begins by examining various aspects of children's and young people's reading ability and the new media, including children's media use and ownership, as well as multicultural aspects. The way public libraries see their role in the teaching of media skills is then considered, including well-developed reading ability as a prerequisite of media skills competence, providing media access and teaching media skills, and library policy positions; the statistics on the library provision of new media with special reference to service for children and young people are also discussed. The following principles of media education activity in children's libraries are summarized: a play-centered approach; an activity-centered approach with emphasis on the child's own actions; the integration of all media forms; and the presentation of the library's media range. It is noted that the variety of media skills teaching activities in children's libraries far outshines actual media provision, and several practical examples are provided, including the creation of special links lists for children in the Internet, creative activities for getting to know new media forms, and creative activities for new media production. (MES)