HIT, SEC:AV/Computer dept. overlap

[PATRICIA <DELAAB50@GIASDL01.VSNL.NET.IN>]

Dear LM_netters,

Thanks for all of the responses to my target message which in part read:

Please help me answer the question posed by my head master: "What
direction is "AV" going to take for the future at our K-12 school?"
Right now the library is in the situation of buying TVs, VCRs, laser disc
players, CD/cassette recorders and overheads. Our "AV man", who has very
limited skills, does little more than make mediocre videotapes of school
productions, repairs and cleans equipment, and keeps an inventory. I and
my predessors have done nothing with AV, other than oversee the "AV man".
With the changes in the AV scene, where should we be going?  How do we
connect our computer dept. with our library and "AV man"?  Who should be
in charge of what? Right now our school does little multimedia, video, or
other AV production. Traditionally, at our school, this has not been the
responsibility of the librarian. Should it be? What do you think?

Overwhelmingly, the respondents agree that AV should remain a part of the
library. Here are some of the responses:

"It makes no sense to separate AV and print services. Information can be
found in both places so librarians need to be familiar with both. There
should be no separation. Your "AV" man needs to become an integral part
of your department and brought into planning and discussions."

"I consider AV another part of being an educator. I train students as
well as teachers."

"I receive a stipend to do AV as in addition to my library position."

"I would for sure jump in and lead the way. Really, I can't imagine not
being very involved with what we are trying to do with information and
helping students and staff."

"I think that production has to be a part of a Library/Media Center in a
school. We are teachers. We need to teach kids to put what they habe
researched in your library into useable form."

"If there is no one else doing it you might as well. Be aware that you
will end up the "expert" and it will take more time than you can imagine,
but it's worth it for the kids."

"By all means make it all (or as much as you think you can handle) the
domain of the librarian."

"At our high school, the AV dept is machines and video: maintenance,
distribution and inventory are handled by a teacher who also teaches a
few classes...I am very glad that he has those responsibilities...his
office is adjacent to the library."

"We have two media specialists in this building. We have the same
credentials, the same pay scale, but we divide our tasks roughly print
and non/print research vs. production. I take information and put it in a
useable form. I produce videos, slide programs, print flyers,
transparencies, traditional AV stuff or I use the computer to do more
high-tech stuff."

I agree with the majority that AV should remain a part of the LMC domain,
now I just need to come up with the best way to develop a good program
and to coordinate our efforts with our computer department. Thanks to all
of you who responded.

Best regards,
Patricia Sonnet
Head Librarian
American Embassy School/ New Delhi, India
DELAAB50@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in