How sad, Adam... I am finding just the opposite. I have no staff at all but
still am able to run a dynamic program. I only have 4 student computers -
maybe that is a blessing after I read what you wrote. They are in constant
use as yours seem to be. However, I insist that all assignments include book
reference as well as Internet and I spend considerable time teaching the
misuses of the Internet. We also have turnitin.com so they has caused a huge
drop in use of the Internet to copy material.
I am on ALA's Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults and have several students
reading all the nominated books (and more) for me...this has led to
increased reading and inter-library loan is at an all-time high. I am always
shocked by who requests reading material. Yesterday a senior who I have
never seen a read a book came in and requested a book from another high
school.
Next week I have a 3 Senior classes coming in to begin a huge English
research project - based on a novel of their choosing from a list of
classics. For 4 days we are only going to be doing silent reading in the
library and then the research will begin. This will require much book
research, use of NOVEL database for the Twayne series (we also have them in
hardcover), and use of public and university libraries.
In the 5 years I have been here I have seen class use increase over 6
times.Booktalking has increased circulation considerably and I also have
students do booktalks rather than book reports - this has led to an
increased circulation.
I believe high school librarians are more vital than ever as are high school
libraries, obviously. Am I the only one who believes this? In my 40 years as
a librarian have I become a dinosaur?
Allan
Dr. Allan O'Grady Cuseo (Brother Donogh Allan, MGC)
Bishop Kearney High School Library
125 Kings Highway South
Rochester, New York 14617
585-342 - 4000 x231
585-342 - 4694 (FAX)
acuseo@bkhs.org
Education in the tradition of the Christian Brothers and the School Sisters
of Notre Dame
FAC OMNIA BENE (Do all things well)
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: The information contained in this
electronic transmission, and any documents attached hereto, may contain
confidential information that is legally privileged and confidential. The
information is intended only for the use of the recipients (s) named above.
If you have received this electronic message in error, please notify the
sender and delete the electronic message. Any disclosure, copying,
distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of the
information received in error is strictly prohibited.
----- Original Message -----
From: "NHS Webmaster" <nhswebmaster@COLLIER.K12.FL.US>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] AASL on National Education Technology Plan
> I will posit a contrarians view.
>
> I believe that school libraries, and especially high school libraries,
> are on there way to becoming obsolete. That said, I think we need to
> refocus completely what a high school library library can provide.
> Please note, I am referencing high school libraries only.
>
> We have a huge print reference collection that is no longer used.
> Absolutely. By no one. Not an encyclopedia, not an almanac, not a
> dictionary. The only use we get is for road atlases, because Drivers Ed
> requires both a print map and an Internet based map.
>
> No student uses are general collection unless required for a school
> assignment.
>
> No one, not one, checks out a book for reading for personal development.
>
> Nada, no one.
>
> Teachers no longer use the library. Not our ESOL teachers--they require
> that their students select books only from their classroom libraries,
> nor the Reading teachers, they are focused on Read 180 and the books are
> in their rooms.
>
> There is no focus on outside readings. Social studies and science
> teachers from low level to AP are so structured that the use of the
> library is out.
>
> The AP programs on the Internet feature their own outside readings.
> There is no in-depth reading of books in a library required.
>
> We cannot support the highest level of student researchers, as we do not
> have the funds to support books at their level. We ferry them to the
> local university instead.
>
> Our library could be reduced by one half. A room for presentations, a
> computer lab, and a modest area for recreational reading--paperbacks and
> high-interest periodicals.
>
> And our staff could be reduced by at least one professional.
>
> One professional/one aide would be enough (I know some of you would be
> blessed to have that) to service 1700 students.
>
> The use of the library media center is declining year by year,
> standardized testing plays a part, national studies that say that
> reading for pleasure does not improve test scores is another, the rise
> in acceptable use of copy and paste assignments by teachers is yet
> another.
>
> So, why do we even need libraries? A reasonalbly sized room with
> computers and some magazines and paperback fiction is enough!
>
> Food for thought!
>
> Adam
>
>
> Adam Janowski
> Library Media Specialist
> Naples High School
> 1100 Golden Eagle Circle
> Naples, FL 34102
> E-mail: NHSWebmaster@collier.k12.fl.us
> Phone: 239-377-2210
> Fax: 239-430-6673
> Library web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/lmc/
> School web site: http://collier.k12.fl.us/nhs/
> >>> Peter Milbury <pmilbury@IIS.SYR.EDU> 01/21/05 9:51 AM >>>
> Dear LM_NET Colleagues,
>
> On Thu, 20 Jan 2005, Brent Bradley wrote:
> >I'm more interested in what people think of the NCES document
> "technology
> > in schools" at
> > http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2003313
> > While the AASL and the NETP pieces seem to be a lot of propaganda and
> > 'We're doing great things here', this document seems (to my untrained
> > eye, I suppose) something actually useful to districts and individual
> > schools.
>
> I think Brent made an astute observation. Bureaucracies always seem to
> drift toward inertia, or even worse, self-destruction. They become timid
> and afraid of offending their perceived benefactors, and even forget
> about
> who their benefactors are!
>
> We just have to do our best with what we have, and let it be known when
> there are deficiencies. There are many ways to band together for
> mutual support, and LM_NET is one of them.
>
> Perhaps there is a way that we can let both ISTE and the U.S. Department
> of Education know that they are ignoring school libraries in this
> important document, the National Education Technology Plan.?
>
> Please, let us all know your thoughts on this topic!
>
> Peter Milbury, LM_NET Co-Moderator pmilbury@iis.syr.edu
> School Librarian/CA TeleMentor, Chico HS, Chico, CA
> ............................................................
> LM_NET: The Voice of the Library Media Community Since 1992
> Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> EL-Announce-LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
> LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> .........................................................
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
> LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
> LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home