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
