Pam's comments mirror some of what I'm seeing in my new position as "Middle School
/ Upper School (MS / US) Technology Librarian"---a new term applied to the "whole
librarian", in my opinion.
While I still work with teachers and students on the basic library stuff
(bibliographies, books, printed resources, author visits, etc.), and I still order
books, catalog, create projects, and read, read, read,.... I'm also the "go-to"
person for technology for our MS / US teachers and students. I'm constantly
getting emails directed to me (or re-sent to me from others who have accidentally
received them), asking for help with their DVD players, their computers, their
VCRs, their webpages, etc, but I think most are surprised when I arrive---because
I'm not who they expected!
Last week, while I was connecting a DVD player to a TV for an English teacher, I
heard the entire story of the last person in my position--who was so great! I'm
glad they feel that way, it helps me to reach for new heights...and as I finished
the job and turned on the TV / DVD, I heard the squeal of joy from the teacher
because I had "done it correctly!" To reinforce my presence (and obviously, my
ability), I popped in the next day (when she planned to show the DVD), to ask if
everything was going fine. She told me that it was great and she said... "thank
you for saving the lesson!" That felt good but it helped to reinforce the idea
that the librarian IS the technology person also!
Two weeks ago, I was helping a group of students on their powerpoint projects
(music, video, etc. inserted in them) when one 7th grade girl said, "Gee...you know
a LOT about technology...and YOU'RE A WOMAN!" (I didn't know that my gender
mattered....but then I realized what she meant....I'm the only female on the
technology staff!) Is there STILL a stereotypical idea of WHO can be a
technologist? If so, I didn't get the memo...(but then, I changed schools
recently...<grin>).
The short of it is this---I think it is IMPORTANT that we, as librarians, continue
to upgrade our skills in technology as we move forward in our profession. We
cannot say that we "won't do this --(fill in the blank)..." because we MUST do it
in order to be marketable and to have the influence necessary to make changes
within our schools. Others see us as the "book people" but we must share with
everyone our knowledge of technology and teach the impact that information (in
whatever format it arrives at our doorsteps) makes on our students' lives. Rather
than fighting technology, learn it...use it!
One of the reasons that my current position intrigued me was because it allowed me
to move upward in a different area within the library without leaving the library.
Rather than doing the "same old thing" in a new library, I'm doing something
completely different, stretching my ideas and attitudes while challenging myself to
become better and to keep learning.
That's the key....just keep learning and always be open to new things!~
~Shonda
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
US / Technology Librarian
Fort Worth Country Day School
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco@fwcds.org
>>> Pam Gelbmann <Pam.Gelbmann@COMCAST.NET> 10/17/05 3:18 PM >>>
On my first day as the AV person at a large high school I got called down to
extract a video tape that someone had put into the VCR upside down. As I am gently
working the tape out using two butter knives, one of the teachers asked "Where is
Brad? He should be doing this." (Brad was the former AV person.) When it was
explained that Brad no longer worked there, his comment was "What are we going to
do without Brad?" It was at that point the tape slipped out and the the tape and
machine were ready to go. No more speculation about a woman doing the job. I
learned much in the on-the-job- training experience as AV person. I can still fix
VCR's if the parts are not broken and solder new plugs onto damaged cords. I must
admit I prefer the book side and I m very happy back in the elementary media
center. I still use some of those skills, but not nearly as frequently. --
Pam Gelbmann, Media Specialist
Wilson/Johnsville Elem. MN
Pam.Gelbmann@comcast.net
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