Re: Libraries of the Future

[Joni Rathbun <rathbu@HOTSUN.NERSC.GOV>]

Thanks to Doug Johnson, I have now had a chance to read Jamieson
McKenzie's article, "Libraries of the Future."

It's interesting how the article initiated what seems to be the old but
popular debate re:  books vs technology. Yet no where in the article did I
see McKenzie suggesting that books are going to disappear. Rather, I
believe, the focus was on the changing role of the media specialist in a
world where technology and electronic resources have joined "books" as
additional and legitimate sources of information.

Media Specialists are an endangered species in many areas including my
district. I have mentioned before my visit to a beautiful new school in
Washington state. The entire school,  a k-5, was networked. The library
was a dream - and each classroom contained a bank of five computers all
networked to that library. But this school did not have  a media
specialist. I asked why and was told, "Anyone  can read a book to the
children." Instead of hiring a media specialist, they had hired a tech
specialist to maintain technology and put collection development into the
hands of the classroom teachers.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we are going to have to let people
know that our role is MORE important now than ever before. Not only do we
have our wonderful books - we have all this "other stuff" too! McKenzie's
article is a nice, readable overview to share with administrators, boards,
site committees and budget committees working on which programs are going
to be cut next school year...or the year after.

And don't let them tell us classroom teachers can use a library! Well, I
shouldn't be a poop. I work with some pretty sharp teachers. I found one
ten-year veteran (but new to our building) in the library over  Christmas
break tho, wandering thru the non fiction section. I walked in and she
said, "Oh! I'm glad you're here. Do I look in the f's for fishes??"

Yeah, well...

Happy New Year!