Re: "NEA Today" Article...from a Tech Point

[Jane Coffey <AFCJane@AOL.COM>]

Hello,

As many of you already know, I joined this list for several reasons, one of
which I readily admit was to promote and interest others in my reading
project, The Read In!  I also joined to be able to pass on information to our
Library/Media Center Technician, because on our site, we have only ONE
connection, and it is in my Technology Center.  We have both learned a great
deal from our subscription to LM_Net and appreciate the friendships we have
made...

With that said, I feel it necessary to respond to the many letters posted
about this article...

I DO understand the trepidation of Library/Media Center Specialists in
incorporating technology, as a whole, and the Internet, specifically, into
their libraries.  Anything new is often approached gingerly and with
misgivings...But, instead of being negative, why not approach it in a
positive way?

Marry the two.  Work with the kids in both arenas...They need to be able to
use both services, and often the marriage of the two makes the search even
MORE exciting.  I tell the participants in the Read In! that the project
started as one site to one site, but after it was expanded, one of the very
FIRST things I did was spend three days in our local public library searching
for celebrity addresses, grade appropriate books for recommended reading
lists, and in simple discussions with our city librarians as to the viability
of incorporating technology and reading in one project....I valued their
input...

Technology will neither replace humans nor the need to touch and hold a good
book...There simply is NOTHING that compares to reading...What a glorious job
librarians have, to daily work with the thoughts and feelings of authors and
to be surrounded by wonderful stories within the pages of beautifully bound
books...

It seems to me that it should be the goal of BOTH the librarian and the
computer guru on site to meld the two...One should NOT usurp the other, but
instead enhance research capabilities for the students. I cannot IMAGINE
running the Read In! or ANY Internet project without discussing it with our
Librarian!  We work well together and support each other...She WANTS the
Internet and will be GREAT with the kids with it...

:::::Jane, climbing down from her soapbox:::::::

Sorry, but reading and the love of a good book when coupled with the Internet
makes SENSE to me...and is fun, and exciting, and worth EVERYONE'S time and
effort...As for research, BOTH options

Jane ;-)
Jane Coffey
AFCJane@aol.com
The Read In!
http://www.gsh.org/readin