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Deborah said it as well as it can be said! Excellent. Amy Blake Hearn Milan High School Milan, TN hearna1@k12tn.net -----Original Message----- From: School Library Media & Network Communications [mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Deborah Stafford Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 2:47 PM To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Technology and the Future of High School Libraries I was going to stay out of this discussion but can't help myself. I believe that we are changing but at the same time we are not. We have better tools, can reach more patrons with more up to date materials but our mission and reason for existence remain the same. I don't favor either print or non print. Each has it's place. I spend my limited budget among some online databases I feel are necessary and are not purchased by my district, non-fiction print which does get used and fiction. I buy hard bound and reinforced paperbacks depending upon what I predict the needs are. It is a selection thing. I buy what I can best afford, using my knowledge of the curriculum, individual teachers and student preferences. We turn to the print encyclopedia almost as much as the electronic one, each has its individual merits. In the past I tried to buy up to date country books. I don't bother now, there are too many online resources that keep that information more up to date that I can ever hope to do. But I buy the Opposing Viewpoints series because they are still useful and I cannot afford to purchase the online editions. SO I don't think that print is going away, but things are changing and we change right along. Second, my experience is that we still need a place called the library. Virtual, online is fine to extend the walls of the library but the physical facility also serves a purpose. I try to keep everyone informed about what is available, the "card catalog" extends out to the classrooms. (I am looking forward to when my district will update to a program that can put our card catalogs beyond the school but we aren't there yet.) The online databases are available everywhere. Sometimes I travel to a computer lab and do a traveling show. But my main action is still the physical space called the library. My teachers so far prefer to bring classes in. Maybe that is because there isn't a computer lab available for them on a consistent basis but I have to believe it is also for the atmosphere and expertise. I have a problem with the idea that Google is "enough". I use Google myself, though I prefer Vivisimo for my main searches. But, it isn't "enough". I don't want information all coming from one resource, organized by that resource according to their ranking system, not knowing what has been left out. Anyway my after a full day at school 2 cents worth. Deborah J. Stafford Gen. H.H. Arnold High School Wiesbaden Germany now proudly on the web at http://www.wies-hs.eu.dodea.edu Deborah_Stafford@compuserve.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------