HIT * Future of the MS

["Kathryn M. Spriggs" <mstkmsx@GSUSGI2.GSU.EDU>]

      This is a bit lengthy, and I apologize for that, but I wanted to say
 "Thanks" and let you know how much I appreciated your responses ( a few of
 which are included ).......

                           Here's what has been said so far.....

                            WHAT DO THE REST OF YOU THINK ?


    PLEASE SEND ANY ADDITIONAL RESPONSES BY   NOVEMBER 26TH   AS I WILL BE
     FORWARDING A REPORT VIA E-MAIL TO MY PROFESSOR (for our instructional
            consultation class)  MONDAY - NOVEMBER 28TH.
                                                         - thank you.


      Thanks for the great responses to my first question to the net!

 My Question:
 Here's an abbreviated version:

 "What is the future of the Media Specialist ?".....................
 My father ( psychiatrist, philosopher, etc. ) had the gall to suggest to
 me that, as a future media specialist, I might find myself out of a job in
 the next three to five years !
 I decided to ask you ( LM_NETTERS ) for your thoughts on the topic.

 I have received 24 so far!  My father was impressed by our collective power.
 Infact, now that I'm on the internet, we have a whole new world that we
 can discuss together ( I think he's been waiting for me to catch up
 with his world which includes computing, of some kind, every day ).
 How about that ?  The internet had the power to convert the skeptic
 of all skeptics, my dad, into someone who now shows a real interest
 in my future as a media specialist ( information specialist, technology
 coordinator, teacher, etc.... )  It could have gone the other way, and I
 would have felt that I had to go on blindly "defending" my future profession.
 Instead, I'm more optimistic than ever, but in a much more realistic vein.
 And, as for my dad ?  I now feel that he truly believes in me and the
 future of the career I have chosen....but , MORE importantly, I believe
 in it!  THANK YOU LM_NETTERS !!!

 "May the net be with you..."


From: "Richard R. Shook" <rshook@edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu>

Who's going to run, select, evaluate, hookup, replace, all this
tech?  Who's going to teach/train students/clients/patrons/staff/
teachers to use all this tech?
Who's going to index all this?????
Librarians; that's who!!!!!
Richard Librarian


From: "Rita Doyle" <CC_RITA@mveca.ohio.gov>

There is no way, in my opinion, a school library media specialist can be
replaced by technology....I could go on for pages about what I do all day that
can not be done by a machine...students still need to be taught, led and
guided by certified teachers and library media specialists ( who of course, are
teachers, too)....Best wishes and good luck, Rita Doyle Cedar Cliff LSD,
Cedarville, Ohio


From: "Vickye Jean Drury" <vdrury@tenet.edu>


Kathryn, your dad is way off the mark!--at least I hope so! I do think
that the role of librarians or media specialists or whatever name we give
ourselves is changing, but I don't think we'll be replaced by technology
because to put it simply-- a computer can't manage the needs of a school,
public, or academic library.

Patrons (whoever they are) will always need someone to help them make
selections from the overwhelming number and kinds of information sources
available. Electronic sources just magnify that problem.

Librarians have always played a leadership role in our schools. They will
still do that--probably even more so when it comes to integrating
technology with curriculum.

And we've always been the "media" experts--be it software or hardware. I
think that will still be true especially in schools where classroom
teachers do not have time to "manage" the nitty gritty aspects of making
technology work-- they just want it to work when they press the button!

And, finally, no matter how virtual our libraries become, I think and hope
there will always be books. Love of literature, love of a good picture
book to share with kids--reading it on the screen just doesn't cut it--
and our job should include providing access to information in all kinds of
formats--some things are just not "better" for being in an electronic
format--some are vastly improved. Let's provide access to all of it and
help our patrons learn how to find what works for them.


From: "Pat Stamp" <pstamp@services.dese.state.mo.us>

Kathryn, I am in my 24th year as a librarian (or whatever they wish to
call us) and I have never felt more optimistic about the future of our
profession as I do now.  We are smack in the middle of an information
explosion, who better than librarians to serve as a guide to students in
becoming proficient at locating, analyzing, evaluating and processing
this information than librarians?  Hang in there, it's a fantastic
profession that will only get more demanding and more exciting in the
next few years.  We will not go the way of the dinosaur or the card
catalog.  Pat Stamp, Captain Elementary School, Clayton, Mo



From: "Linda H. Cook" <lcook@pen.k12.va.us>

Kathryn,

No way. The technology is frightening to many people. They want
us, need us to be the ones to show them how to use it. We will
be the ones who spend time finding out where and how to use the
information sources, just like always, and we will direct
people in where and how to use the electronic resources just as
we did with the print ones.

Linda Cook
Augusta County, VA


From: "Sandra Ann Williams" <sandywil@tenet.edu>

        Kathryn, I, too am a graduate student in library science.  I
worked for four years as a library assistant before returning to work on
my master's in LMS.
        I feel I have great job security.  No one is better suited for
book, periodical, and av materials selections at this elementary school
than I.  A machine cannot stay after hours and carefully analyze each one
to see if it is in need of "weeding".
        There's not a machine around that can make boys and girls feel
comfortable and welcome in our library.  What machine or person is better
suited than I to asking a child what type of book he/she is looking for,
then making several suggestions?
        As long as there are classrooms with teachers and students, there
will be a need for librarians to weave library instruction into the
curriculum.
        I need to go, job security calls.  I just received 23 boxes of
already processed books that need to be lovingly handled, assigned the
correct call number, and placed for "rent" on the shelves.

        Good luck!

        Sandy Williams
        Memorial El.
        Plano, TX


From: "Kelly Cocklin" <kcocklin@freenet.columbus.oh.us>

Hi Kathryn,
I wish I knew, but I fear that I will not want the job even if it still
exists in the next century.  I was attracted to the field by the books and
the kids; if it ends up being a computer, a modem, a data base, and a
cd-rom, I'm not sure I want to be there.

Please post a hit list; I am curious what other folks are thinking.

Betty Cocklin


From: "Dr. Dana McDougald" <dmcdouga@moe.coe.uga.edu>

Your being from Georgia makes you pretty safe, I think, because the state
is very supportive of school libraries (I am a media specialist at Cedar
Shoals High School in Athens).  There are a lot of states, however, where
the media specialist has been the first to go in financial crises.



From: "Pat Dolph" <LibraryMs@aol.com>


I often fear what your father has voiced.  I am here in Southeast Ohio where
no elementary libraries are staffed by professionals.  We have aids who
provide a 40 minute planning period for teachers and do purchasing and
weeding with no knowledge whatsoever.  The major concerns on this network are
usually technology.  While I know that technologists cannot do what librarians
can (I think BOTH are absolutely essential), the library and particularly the
elementary library will always be the first place where budget cuts occur.
 Research shows it is the best place to spend you money in terms of
achievement and yet it is the first place to feel the brunt of financial
constraints.
     Still, even if you never get a job in the field, you will be able to
locate any kind of information.  Is there a more valuable skill? I think it
is worth the gamble but that is something only you can decide.
     I do think that the next few years with increasing pressures will be
most difficult ones.  This is my 30th year in education.  Everyone wants an
excellent education unless it costs them money or time.

Pat Dolph



From: "Jeanne Louise Yarbrough" <jly0001@jove.acs.unt.edu>

Kathryn,
In my opinion, as long as there are schools, books, children learning,
and new technology developed, I doubt very strongly that librarians will
be out of a job.  Children must learn how to become independent learners,
and who better than their parents, teachers and school librarians can
teach them to do so?  If I were you, I wouldn't worry.

Jeanne Yarbrough
University of North Texas Library Student
(and hopeful school librarian by January 1995 :-)


From: "Peter M. Butts" <pbutts@edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu>

We had to write on this topic back in library school
in the dark ages of 1986. Then as now two issues
seemed essential: 1) someone needs to put a
human face on the technology; and 2) someone's
got to be in charge of managing the bibliographic
access to this mountain of data. It seemed to me then,
as now, we in the school's held the fate of librarianship,
as we train the library users (and taxpayers) of the
future. If we teach our students to value information,
to value it as a necessarily free commodity essential
to democracy, and furthermore value the service that
we provide in the access and delivery of information,
then the library will not only survive, but thrive.

Peter Butts
East Middle School
Holland, MI 49423


From: "Glenda Garrett - Sun" <ggarrett@egreen.wednet.edu>

Well, Kate, I don't think the little kiddies are going to find it as
tactily rewarding to watch Dad or Mom squinting at an LCD screen to read
to them at night.  The bedtime story is an experience that has become
ritual.  As to how they might find that book and buy it--yes, they could
access electronic data to find something.  We do have a ways to go;
however, before artificial intelligence can interpret the innuendo and
nuances of an adolescent's questioning techniques.  When they like, you
know, want to find this kind of book, you know, that had this guy--I
think--anyway that knew this girl and stuff and they drove there one night
and somebody killed her; but I'm not sure because I can't remember--Do you
have that book?

When we get to the point that a computer can figure that out, we will all
be old and gray.  Besides, as one of my students said, "You always give
warm hugs."  Part of the reward for learning to read has to do with love
and belonging.  Computers are not a good substitute for humans, yet.
When you see an android that can laugh, tease, tell a joke, and wipe away
the tears of a brokenhearted child, then we can worry.

I know that the blind leaders are trying to lead us down a dark path.  It
is for us to light the way and enlighten the blind.

As for your father, don't be too hard on him.  Just remind him about the
seven basic needs and ask him if he really thinks technology can fill
those needs.--gg

Glenda Garrett
Media Specialist (with psychology minor)
Sunset Elementary
Vancouver, Washington



From: "Betsy Stine" <BSTINE@mecn.mass.edu>


Kathryn:  Schools would be making a huge mistake if they ever eliminated the
human touch in information gathering.  Besides, our info guru Mike Eisenberg
says that we are "information specialists" and that we know where to look,
how to find, how to assimilate, how to evaluate, and what to do with all that
"stuff" better than anyone else in the school system.  Thanks for introducing
a thoughtful topic.  Betsy Stine, Danvers (MA) High 01923 bstine@mecn.mass.edu


From: "Vicki Anne Lunsman" <lunsman@tenet.edu>

Hi Kathryn,
        To reply using someone else's quote :"technology is only as good
as the person using it." Technology is a tool not a replacement but an
addition to what we already have.
Vicki Lunsman
Plano Tx



From: "Marilyn Joyce" <Cyberlib@aol.com>


As long as people in our profession view themselves as teachers, we will have
jobs.  Someone needs to teach people how to recognize the need for info.,
locate and evaluate info. , and use it to solve problems and make decisions.

Marilyn Joyce, Library Media Specialist, Brewer High School, Brewer, ME



From: "Barbara Fiehn" <bfiehn@VAX1.Mankato.MSUS.EDU>


I feel that we will continue to need skilled people in information management.

Many of the things we have done for years will no longer be done, but we
will be doing many new things.  The customer still will need help locating
and using information sources, reading will still be done for recreation,
etc.


Barbara Fiehn, Assistant Professor
Mankato State University
Library Media Education
MSU 20/Box 8420
Mankato, MN 56002


From: "Carol Anderheggen" <CAROLAN@ids.net>


Kathryn--Having been a librarian for many years, most of it as a school
librarian, I suspect your father may be right in terms of information
access.  Technology is putting information at the educated person's
fingertips.  The have-nots will continue to be deprived unless our schools
and public libraries pitch in for them.  What librarians need to do is get
on the bandwagon and position themselves as technologists and facilitators
to the technology.  Just because information comes in electronic form does
not make it accurate or useful.  Librarians can still be the respected
"judges" of the material for the public.

*But* I do not believe that the "reader's advisory" services can ever be
replaced by a machine.  Human beings need and value the contact of other
human beings.  Librarians meet that need in addition to providing access
to information and reading.  Let's hope we continue to live in a society
which places a higher value on the human being using the machine than the
machine itself!

Congratulations to you that you have chosen this exciting profession.
These are especially great times to become a librarian--change is constant
these days.

Carol Anderheggen
LM_NET IS A JOY !

From: "Nancy Reed" <Nupper@aol.com>

Kathryn, of course there will be helpers (whatever they will
be called).  When Sam Q. Public wanders in and want to hunt
for material but has never done it before, someone will have
to show him how, and in some cases lead him through it by
the hand.

Someone will also have to train the children in searching
techniques.  Teachers are excellent at teaching skills and
knowledge, but it is a rare one indeed who can muster the
technological knowhow of the media specialist.  For most
of us, it has been a case of learn technology, and searching
strategies or go to another profession.

Whatever they call us, we'll still be needed badly!

Nancy Reed
St. Mary Middle/High School
Paducah, KY


From: "Ken Haycock" <haycock@unixg.ubc.ca>

You will be interested in the results of a research retreat on November
8th --Treasure Mountain V. The results will be edited and published
shortly. Coordinated by Bob Grover [Emporia] and Dan Barron [South Carolina].

Ken

------------I have not run across this yet, but, If I do I will forward
            it when I update this HIT.  - Kathryn



From: "Julie Walker" <jawalker@tenet.edu>


I've saved your message for several days because I attended AASL in the
flesh and I am still not caught up!  Another in your ranks asked me the
question, "What do you wish someone had told you when you were in grad
school?"  My response did not take much thought:  that I would have to
relearn my job every two weeks.  My response to you is the same as those
who think the Internet will become our sole source of information.  The
role of the media specialist will not be what it is today, tomorrow.
However, data must still become information and information, knowledge.
Someone still has to mediate --- even when artificial intelligence is
refined.  So, your job in three to five years may not be what you
envision or train for today, but there will be a niche for someone of
your training (and retraining) for many years to come.  I hope that niche
will include constructing knowledge from information --- in whatever
format or whatever means of transmission.  Please join us --- there is
never a dull moment.  PS:  Hope your dad is not still relying on the
training he received 30 (?) years ago.

Julie A. Walker                         District Media Center
Director, Library & Media Services      13401 Pond Springs Rd.
Round Rock ISD                          Austin, TX  78729
jawalker@tenet.edu                      512-331-6697/512-331-1811 (FAX)



From: "Alan Arena" <jarena@freenet.scri.fsu.edu>

Kathryn,
        Yes I realize that you posted that message years ago, I'm just a
little slow.
        Replace buy technology?  I don't worry too much about that
because the microchip has not been invented that can sort through a vast
array of information, picking out just the right nuggets and remembering
the preferences and picadillo's of dozens of teachers as well as the
human brain can.
        I don't think we will be replaced by technology, but possible out
of ignorance.  I am much more concerned about being replaced by a clerk
because I "don't do anything that a trained monkey couldn't do".  In a
time of budget cuts replaceing the librarian with a clerk would look
mighty tempting.  Unfortunately, there a plenty of librarians who could
easily be replaced by a clerk.  If we are just checking and shelving and
ordering, we aren't all that irreplaceable.
        I believe that we must promote ourselves, do those things that
set us apart as trained professionals and vehemently discourage people
who see the library as a green pasture to graze in until retirement.
        This is reaching a critical stage here in Florida where we have
so many vacancies to fill.  Principals (who have not been educated by a
librarian) are desperate to fill a position and they talk one of there
teachers into taking the job.  This teacher is untrained, unprepared and
possibly trying to escape the classroom and their general unhappiness
with teaching.
        Enough of my soapbox.  If you've compiled some sort of hit on
this subject I'd love to see it!


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"Your reality, sir,                             Alan Arena
is all lies and                                 Mediarian
balderdash and I'm happy                        Hallmark Elem.
to say I have no                                Pensacola, Fl.
grasp of it whatsoever!"                        arenaj@mail.firn.edu
     -- Baron Munchausen

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!




             ANYONE ELSE ?
             NOW'S YOUR CHANCE FOR INPUT....

 Anyone interested in a complete listing of the responses I receive may
 e-mail me and I will forward them to you.
                                            - thanks
                                              Kathryn :>

           ENJOY THE HOLIDAY !  YOU DESERVE IT !!
           AND  THANKS AGAIN  TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE !!!
 *****************************************

 Kathryn Spriggs
 Georgia State University
 GSU graduate student
 Library Media Technology
 <mstkmsx@gsusgi2.gsu.edu>
 ****************************************