GEN: Librarian Layoffs

[Mike Eisenberg <mike@ERICIR.SYR.EDU>]

I know these are complex problems that don't have a simple solution.
But - please consider one additional argument along with the others you
might be using:


Library Media Teachers make good sense economically.

Information technology needs are only going to increase in our schools.  In
many districts around the country staff is being added to handle the
increasing demand of information technology management and teaching.  By the
way, the same thing is happening in business and industry-staff is being
added to handle information technology management and training.

So, in the next few years, schools will be facing increasing pressure to
manage and use information technology more effectively and efficiently.
They will be pressured to add staff in the technology area.

But schools have the core of that staff now!  The library media teachers.
They are information technology managers right now! To schools, school
boards, administrators - letting library and information technology staff
go - will only worsen the problem.  Schools should invest library and
information technology specialists with the responsibility of managing and
planning for good technology use in the schools.   Do schools really want to
have to deal with the problems of computer systems not being properly used,
maintained?  It's one of those, "you can pay me now, or you can pay me [much
more] later" scenarios.

Library media teachers - be prepared to fulfill technology management roles.
Many of you are doing this already. Others need to upgrade their skills and
assume these responsibilities.  And - seize the terms - INFORMATION and
TECHNOLOGY.  Call yourselves - "library and information technology
specialists" or "library and information technology teachers."  Consider the
libraries to be "library and information technology centers."  I know, I
know-this is redundant.  But, it helps to explain what we do and it captures
the "high ground" right now when it counts.

Think about it.

Mike

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