Are school libraries in trouble? Is there an imminent demise going to be happening within the next generation or even the next 10 years? I do not believe so. I would definitely argue that there will be a shift in the role of the school library, but then again I believe that there will be a shift in the role of all types of libraries. Will be in the same direction? Not entirely, but I do believe that technology will be at the forefront of these changes.
School libraries are working towards rolling with these technological punches. They work together with teachers to ensure that students are information literate. Classes require trips to the library to teach these things or even full-on classes being taught in the library on how technology can help students. A simple Youtube search of "school library lessons" brings up several hits from the Edgerton School District and how they are helping their one students be successful at the library. There's also several videos on their about why kids love the libraries in their schools. They love the librarians, the books, the makerspace (if they have one). I think kids' love of their libraries will only increase. Having recently done a little internship at a school library, I can tell you those kids loved their library. They would come and help out the librarian before school, during recess, after school, all so that they could check out 3 instead of the normal 2 books allowed. They were so pleased with themselves too. I don't think school libraries are going anywhere anytime soon.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Libraries and the Digital Divide
What is the "digital divide"? Well, the digital divide is defined here as the inability of some people to access the same technology that alot of other people in American or Canadian society commonly have, such as smart phones or computers. This inability due to income or location can make it very difficult for these people to have the same access to information and opportunities. It might even be keeping them from getting a job or a place to live. How do we help people bridge this gap? Well, libraries are trying to do just that. Libraries do their best to provide access to information and opportunities via computers and training programs that teach people about job hunting and resume building. Libraries often will also provide English as a Second Language classes to help people have an easier time transitioning to their new cultures and help with employment. I say that libraries are doing their best because oftentimes the people who cannot afford access to these things at home are often grouped together in similar areas. In other words, it has alot to do with sociopolitics and location of low-income neighborhoods. If the people in the area have a hard time affording these things, the library in that area probably will have issues with funding as well. It's a horribly unfair problem that has to do with the peculiarities of capitalism and its negative drawbacks to the poor. Here is an article that discusses these socioeconomic issues in more depth.
Privilege and Repression in the Digital Era: Rethinking the Sociopolitics of the Digital Divide
Paul C. Gorski
Race, Gender & Class
Vol. 10, No. 4, Privilege and Race, Gender, and Class (2003), pp. 145-176
Privilege and Repression in the Digital Era: Rethinking the Sociopolitics of the Digital Divide
Paul C. Gorski
Race, Gender & Class
Vol. 10, No. 4, Privilege and Race, Gender, and Class (2003), pp. 145-176
Libraries as Social Hubs
The purpose of libraries is taking on a change. In addition to providing information, they can be just a fun place to hang out. Teenagers and latch-key minors hang out in the young adult section while they do their homework. Some local public libraries even have their textbooks there so they don't have to take them home from school. Academic libraries create floors of desks and computer labs so that "cram sesh"s can happen and 24 hour study rooms for those over-nighters. When I visited the Cal State San Marcos library last semester, I was amazed at the fact that they had like 700+ computers available and every floor had tons of desk space. There was a coffee shop. Libraries have taken a note from B&N, I guess. Regardless of whether it is a public or academic library, the purpose of the library is taking on a new tone. It is the place to meet up and study. Why take the book with you and go home when you might need another one later? Why not just finish the whole darned project there in one go? It's an interesting shift, and I think it's a positive one. Anything that encourages people to make use of the library has to be good, right?
http://www.jstor.org/stable/27949571
and
http://www.jstor.org/stable/27949571
Cathy Carpenter
Art Documentation: Journal of the Art Libraries Society of North America
Vol. 30, No. 1 (Spring 2011), pp. 79-83
Libraries in the Digital Age
What exactly is the "digital age" that we keep hearing about? It's a reference o the fact that seemingly everything that we do these days involves something electronic, something digital. Even if you refuse to get an e-reader, did you first check the B&N website to see if they had your book before you went down to the store? Think about the fact that the author more than likely wrote the book on his or her computer, not on a type-writer or by hand. Everything we do these days likely has some digital connection, intentional or otherwise.
So what does that mean for the libraries of today and tomorrow? It means increasing pressure to keep up with this past-paced technological world. Libraries have to have a website for patrons to browse. They have to have a catalog that you can search from home. They have to have a computerized catalog once you get there. Most libraries have at least a few e-book versions of some of their print books; many libraries have hundreds. Academic libraries have online access to academic journals through services like JSTOR and EBSCO. More than likely, a library will also have computers for you to use for your school project, work project, or just for you to browse with. They might even have laptops or e-readers for you to borrow. There is also the recent shift towards maker-spaces in public and school libraries. These are corners of the library that are spaces for creativity to flow; alot of them have advanced technology toys, like 3D printers or book-creating machines. All of these changes have come in the past decade or two. I can only wait to see what will come in the future! It will be exciting changes, hopefully.
Here is a list of my school's Online Databases as an example of the convenience that technology offers to academic libraries: http://www.palomar.edu/library/OnlineDatabases/databases.htm. You only have to log in to the proxy server from home, and away you go! Awesome.
So what does that mean for the libraries of today and tomorrow? It means increasing pressure to keep up with this past-paced technological world. Libraries have to have a website for patrons to browse. They have to have a catalog that you can search from home. They have to have a computerized catalog once you get there. Most libraries have at least a few e-book versions of some of their print books; many libraries have hundreds. Academic libraries have online access to academic journals through services like JSTOR and EBSCO. More than likely, a library will also have computers for you to use for your school project, work project, or just for you to browse with. They might even have laptops or e-readers for you to borrow. There is also the recent shift towards maker-spaces in public and school libraries. These are corners of the library that are spaces for creativity to flow; alot of them have advanced technology toys, like 3D printers or book-creating machines. All of these changes have come in the past decade or two. I can only wait to see what will come in the future! It will be exciting changes, hopefully.
Here is a list of my school's Online Databases as an example of the convenience that technology offers to academic libraries: http://www.palomar.edu/library/OnlineDatabases/databases.htm. You only have to log in to the proxy server from home, and away you go! Awesome.
Andrew L. Edwards, 04/16/2015.
Blog Post 1. Library in the digital Age.
My thoughts on library in the digital age is, that with the changing times where technology is growing at a rapid speed, we all think that if we don't keep up with the times, we might get left behind. But in this case, we might not because our libraries provide a means for people without computers at home can always come to the library and have a chance to have their hands on whatever technology they have to keep us in the loop. Even though people may not have the basic technology at, they can come to the library to use the internet to keep in touch with family, friends, type out resumes, and do job search. The library has stepped us their game in order to keep people in the loop.
Blog Post 2. Library as social hubs.
My thoughts on the library as a social hub is very exciting, most of the time people go to the library to read a good book, search the internet, do research, talk with family members across the country, or even in the next state, but other than just that people come to the library to meet up with their friends to hang out, play video games online and so on. The library is not what it used to be back in the days. We had to deal with either a lady who wore her glasses on the tip of her nose and would give you a mean look soon as you make a loud sound. These days we still respect the librarian, who is not as rigid as the old days. The library is the best place where you can do most things where information is concerned. The library is not for the faint of heart but for those individuals who like to keep in touch and do research.
Blog Post 3. Libraries and the Digital Divide.
Now, in this time where information is floating around and people are always looking for information, it was hard to do research back in the days because the library only had computers for library personnel only. While if you wanted to search for information, you would go searching in the numerous books just to find what you need. Now in this era, all you would need to do is walk in the library and pull up a chair to the computer and type in a name and number, then as you type in what you need, a wave of information comes up and all you have to do is click on the information that suits your needs. This digital divide is not that confusing, it just gives people that didn't have a computer the access to information and breaks down the barrier that would divide those who have and those who don't have access to the inter net.
Blog Post 4. The demise of school libraries.
This is one subject that puzzles me, Why would anybody want to do away with libraries in schools.
How are the kids suppose to do their home work or study while in school? That does not make no sense. If the children in schools don't have a place to study during school time other than when they get out of school, do you know what kind of caos there would be with children skipping school to go hang out and Lord knows what kind of trouble they would get into. I know, because I didn't used to go to the library to do my studies. The library is very important to children in schools, it teaches them good study skills, gets home work done, keep children form getting into trouble and gives them structure. I don't know what other people about trying to do away with libraries in schools, but I know for a fact that would be the biggest mistake to take libraries out of schools.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Cindy Zamora: Blog 4 - The Demise of School Libraries
As the tone may suggest, this topic in near and dear to my heart. As a school librarian my role has evolved and become much more broad than simply one who reads books to the students once a week when their classes are scheduled for library time.
Some say we will see a demise of the school library as technology takes over and books fall to the background as sources of information. I believe that a school library offers so much value to students that, rather than a demise, we will see the addition of the improvements that will expand services to meet those needs. Librarians must be prepared for double duty as both managers of the traditional library and advisors in informational technology and media services.
How must these positions change to meet the curriculum and needs of both areas? In order to support students and ensure the best learning environment, today’s positions must be transformed into roles that work together with teachers to reinforce and develop curriculum that focuses on media literacy, research skills development, digital citizenship, collaboration and critical thinking, all of which are included in “21st Century Skill Standards.” (American Association of School Librarians. Standards for the 21st-century Learner AASL, 2007. Web. 1 May 2013.,) (http://www.ala.org/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/standards.)
In her article, “The Future Of The Librarian As A Metadata Specialists”, Tamantha Bibbo discusses the need for librarians to be referred to as “library media specialists”, not just “technicians”, since the job requires them to teach the educational application of technology tools., not just the applications themselves. It is the application of technology, like the application of reading skills, that should be a primary element of the library media specialist's teaching responsibilities. (Bibbo, Tamatha, and Roberto d'Erizans. "The Future Of The Librarian As A Metadata Specialist." Library Media Connection 32.3 (2013): 26-28. Literary Reference Center. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.)
This brings up the topic of certifying or credentialing Library Media Specialists. In the past, some school districts did not require their site librarian have any formal education. That has changed and now most require at least a “Library Technician” certificate or a School Library Media Specialist classification. This broadening of scope signifies that running a library is certainly more than managing shelves of books.
In light of budget cuts, some have suggested alternative ways to provide students with library services. In place of hiring certified librarians, schools could train teachers to offer the same services, bring in parent volunteers or have librarians circulate between schools. Says Christian Zabriskie, Executive Director of Urban Librarians Unite, a professional group that supports librarianship in urban settings. "If I'm exploring things about, say, my sexuality, drug issues, health issues, I can't grab those books in front of my peers." Zabriskie's own middle school librarian had a significant impact on his life by supporting him when he was being bullied and teaching him how to stand up for others. Indeed, school libraries may be the only site where disadvantaged students, who lack the funds to participate in afterschool programs, can hang out, find enrichment and explore their interests and passion.1 Even the U.S. National Commission on Library and Informational Science (NCLIS) proposed to Congress that, “ Every school library should be staffed by a highly qualified, state certified school library media specialist and every school should have a school library.” 2
1) Cummings, Madeleine Cummings. "Is the End of the School Library Upon Us? Budget Cuts Hit Librarians Where It Hurts." Alternet. Independent Media Institute, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. (http://www.alternet.org/education/end-school-library-upon-us-budget-cuts-hit-librarians-where-it-hurts)
Many think that school library programs will cease to exist if their impact on test scores is not demonstrated. Administrators must realize that students yearn to connect their interests, needs, and cultures to every aspect of their daily lives, and seek safe and supportive environments where they can discover and make such connections.” (Bibbo, Tamatha). The impact of libraries on students cannot be evaluated in monetary measures. Libraries impact lives in so many ways and must be embraced as the valuable resources they are and not viewed as simply shelves of books. This is the digital age and libraries are big part of education moving forward.
(Subramaniam, Mega. "Changing Lives Through Informal Learning." American Association of School Librarians, American Library Association, 15 Apr. 2014. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. (http://www.ala.org/aasl/ecollab/informal-learning).
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Cindy Zamora: Blog 3 - Libraries and the Digital Divide
The term “Digital Divide” is used to describe a gap between those who DO have ready access to information and technology and also possess the skills to make use of such technologies, and those who DO NOT because of demographic and socio-economic variables, such as income, education, age, geographic location, etc.
Other terms like “Digital Literacy” and “Digital Inclusion” are often used when discussing why this gap exists and why it’s not improving. Digital inclusion is best explained as an outreach to unserved and underserved populations and policy implementation meant to bridge the divide and promote digital literacy. Digital literacy is achieved when one has, “...the ability and skill needed for accessing technology, the ability to understand the language used and the hardware and software knowledge required to navigate that technology.” (Paul T. Jaeger, et al. "Rural Public Libraries And Digital Inclusion: Issues And Challenges." Information Technology & Libraries 33.1 (2014): 6-24. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.)
A study called the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Survey (PLFTAS), which can be reviewed at http://www.plinternetsurvey.org, shows that rural libraries, on average, have weaker technological tools, (fewer average number of computers and slower broadband connections) and are able to offer fewer support services, such as training classes. Urban and suburban public libraries offer many more services due to larger budgets. The study exposed that many rural public libraries are the only providers of free Internet service and computer terminals for their patrons and these communities have the lowest number of households with an independent broadband connection. With the Internet being essential to those in need of important government services or those wanting to apply for jobs with companies throughout the nation, the services offered by these rural libraries is invaluable.
Common Sense Media (CSM) is a watchdog website used by parents in making media choices for their kids. They screen various forms of media and rate them in terms of age-appropriate content. CSM surveyed 1,400 parents and reported that 47 percent of families with incomes more than $75,000 had downloaded content for their children, while only 14 percent of families earning less than $30,000 had done so. This is another example that more underprivileged families do not have the same technological benefits available to them and do not have the skills required to begin to bridge the gap.
For government decision makers to understand the ongoing nature of the digital inclusion problem, rural public librarians and their allies will need to gather better data and provide better advocacy so that government funding is more equitable. The basic public library funding structure needs to be re-examined and modified to close the digital divide between rural areas and more heavily populated communities.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)