Libraries, they are a changin'

The Libraries, They A Changin’

Throughout history, many issues have caused society to change such as war, national growth concerns, funding, and technology. With these societal changes, schools have had to adapt even more. There are a lot more transfer students and there are more single parent homes for example. Because of these changes, schools have changed as well. They have added such things as before and after school care and Kindergarteners are now taught to read and write.

School libraries, and in particular, the role of school librarians, has changed mostly due to technology growth and the way students are being taught. The librarian’s role has turned to leadership in meeting student’s needs, teaching teachers, and meeting curriculum. Students now have two teachers working together. Library materials now include digital formats and digital resources. They also work with public libraries to provide a wider spectrum of materials and resources for the needs of the school and community.

Today, the library media center leads the way with incorporating technology into the curriculum but it must incorporate cooperation, coordination, and collaboration between the librarian and teachers. Not only should the librarian make sure the state and local standards are being met, but they should also assess students to determine if students need further instruction or if the librarian needs to change the assignment. All of this should help the student gain the ability to do their own research.

School libraries enhance the educational process by encouraging students to learn the skills necessary to gain quality knowledge and to research ethically. As it states in the School libraries 21C document, students should also be taught to research efficiently and to critically evaluate rather than to wander aimlessly through miles of web pages.

Librarians find themselves in charge of technology more and more which means they must keep current with technology guidelines when incorporating it into the curriculum. They must also keep abreast on the constantly changing ways to communicate digitally. Along with keeping up with technology, librarians must also keep up with protecting students from harm that may come across the Internet. Policies should be in place to cover all of these bases.

Along with the surge in technology, which will not slow down anytime soon, if ever, many tools we use today will become nonexistent such as textbooks and email. This brings us to the question; will we still need school libraries in a digital age?  Many people believe we do saying that we need to blend the two worlds together. There needs to be a dedicated place for people to go who want to study or read. Librarians will continue to be needed for guidance and instruction as usual.

I love Joyce Valenza’s remark that “In tough times moving forward is more challenging. Not moving forward is not an option.” She breaks it down by giving digital examples in every library experience. In the end, the librarian comes out to be the leader.

Questions to ponder:

1.       What will future school libraries actually look like? Will they shrink? Will they have only stations to obtain the Internet or to download books? Will there be places to sit and read?

2.       Librarians are the ones who are supposed to teach others how to use this constantly changing technology so how will they keep up?

3.       With technology that is constantly updating, how will schools be able to fund not only new technology but the upkeep?

Works Cited

Abram. Stephen. “15 Educational Experiences my Granddaughter Won’t Have.” Stephen’s Lighthouse, 8 May 2012. Web. 7 Sept. 2012.   <http://stephenslighthouse.com/2012/05/08/15-educational-experiences-my-granddaughter-wont-have/>. 

Brichacek, Andra. “ READERS RESPOND: Do Schools Still Need Brick-and-Mortar Libraries?” ISTE Community Ning 17 Aug. 2009. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. http://www.iste-community.org/group/landl/forum/topics/readers-respond-do-schools. 

Hay, Lyn, and Ross J. Todd. School Libraries 21C. Rep. NSW Department of Education and Training, 2010. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/schoollibraries/assets/pdf/21c_report.pdf.

 

Valenza, Joyce. “A Revised Manifesto.” NeverEndingSearch 3 Dec. 2010. Web. 7 Sept 2012. <http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/2010/12/03/a-revised-manifesto>. 

Woolls, Blanche. The School Library Media Manager. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. Print