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I don't think libraries need to be jump to every fad---or go to the extremes like "huffing," obviously---but I do know that making our libraries more "student-friendly" is how we increase our presence in their minds. School libraries should be on the cutting edge of what our kids are involved in, if only through our awareness and our advocacy---because our focus is on KIDS and what they do both in school and out of school. We offer books, computers, databases, the Internet, and reference / referral...but sometimes, we aren't "kid friendly." We want things on our terms MOST (if not ALL) of the time. We have stereotypes out there because we are not flexible in what we think, do, or offer regarding our library programs. Then we whine when we see a typecast of ourselves in the media. Can we be cool AND informative...yes. However, it takes work and it takes involvement. Getting to know what the kids like is half the battle. Making those things "connect" to what is being taught in the classroom is also a challenge. Can gaming be educational? Can Manga teach us about other cultures? Yes, not everyone wants to do all of this work...because that's what it is...hard, hard work. However, it's important to ask those questions and to be ready to respond to what our kids are doing. Being able to flex your program to the needs and interests of students is how to keep your students' interested in the library and the resources, programs, and people. Reading clubs can be expanded to graphic novel groups. Computer clubs can expand to gaming tournaments. Being "out there" asking questions can make you appear more approachable to many students who only know the stereotypical "media-driven" librarian. My kids don't like video games or manga...but they certainly like utilizing software programs that help them create their own publications---so we'll order those things. My kids like iPods...we'll do podcasts and investigate what it takes to broadcast using new technologies. My kids love checking out Wikipedia...so we'll create our own wikis and blogs and webpages. I think in order to prepare ourselves for Library 2.0, we need to stop thinking of how to not do these things (or stop others from doing them), but learn how to re-create ways to incorporate our libraries into them. I was one of the first school libraries in my district to offer video tapes for student check-out back in the 1980's.....a new "fad".....but my kids loved it! I WAS the local video store for many of them because I was free! We need to remind ourselves that making programs available and being on the edge of new technologies is where libraries SHOULD be and if aren't or if we wait, we lose our best to a stereotype that should never exist. Just an opinion.... ~Shonda Shonda Brisco, MLIS US / Technology Librarian 4200 Country Day Lane Fort Worth Country Day School Fort Worth, TX 817.732.7718 ext. 339 "We can't wait for somebody outside of ourselves to rescue us, because nobody is coming to the rescue..." ~ Ross Todd, Professor School of Communications, Information, and Library Studies, Rutgers University sbrisco@fwcds.org http://www.fwcds.org/campus/libraries/default.asp -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. 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/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------