Resources

– The Magic Boxes, Poster presented at NextLibrary 2009

– The Magic Boxes and Veria Public Library, Powerpoint Slides

– Photos from the opening of the Magic Boxes (inauguration 26/4/2009)

– Relevant photos from dayly life in the Library

– Video documentary about the Veria Central Public Library on the National Television (English Subtitles)

Description

2009 has been marked by the opening of “The Magic Boxes” (sponsored by Stavros Niarchos Foundation), a space for children to experiment and develop life-long skills and digital competencies. We put emphasis in promoting reading, creativity and digital literacy to children. To this end, we have developed this area especially developed for children, who may attend creative workshops such as robotics, 3D gaming, storytelling, painting, sculpting, theatre and music.

The Magic Boxes workshops help children in expressing their creativity and trigger their curiosity while exploiting their digital skills. The entire area has been technology-enhanced to engage children in interactive and collaborative experiences. Various creative activities are organized by the librarians, teachers, artists, volunteers and experts in children education.

The “Magic Boxes” is a cornerstone for Greek libraries in that it developed an area especially designed for children. Our innovation was recognized by his Excellency the President of the Hellenic Democracy, Dr. Karolos Papoulias, who paid an honorary visit to our library and who officially launched the operation of the “Magic Boxes”. Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the main sponsor of the “Magic Boxes” project commented: “…the Magic Boxes will not only become a significant instrument for the children of Imathia but also for the broader region.”

This year nearly all the elementary and the primary schools of Veria (approx. 5,000 students) visited the “Magic Boxes” area, participated, used and evaluated its features.

Spreading the idea of the Magic Boxes

We have participated in the workshop of nextlibrary: Playtime – ideas for library space and shared our results in open discussions with international experts.View the presentation slidesView the announcement of the Magic Boxes poster at nextlibrary

the Magic Boxes sponsor

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation funds exclusively the whole project