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Debra's message (below) illustrates well what I mean when I say that
many librarians don't see any problem with online catalogs as they are
now. As Debra says, she teaches her students well and they use the
system to locate books effectively. This is and will remain a crucial
skill for learning and for life. My concern is that children are
obviously seeking information in many more places than books, places
which are not adequately represented by MARC records.

For instance, my older son is in 3rd grade and he loves to use the
online catalog to search for books he'd like to read and dutifully
writes down the Dewey numbers on a sheet of paper. In fact, I often have
to remind him that the books aren't on the computer, that they're on the
shelves and that it's worth browsing around and handling the books
themselves. (Please don't misunderstand -- I'm not a techno utopian --
He is a voracious reader of books and his computer time is supervised
and severely limited). But when he has a specific question and I suggest
we look it up, he assumes that means going to the computer. Sometimes a
book is a better option and we discuss that. But at least as often, an
online resource is either more readily available or more timely or more
comprehensive or more easily searched. Given current trends, it seems
that this balance is more than likely to continue tipping toward online
resources as time goes on.

So we librarians have a distinct interest in expanding the range of the
search tools we offer. Why shouldn't children be able to construct a
search which will simultaneously comb through the open Web, subscription
databases, a union catalog, the public library catalog, and book vendor
sites? It doesn't seem too much of a stretch to add a social network to
the mix, harnessing the inquiry power and collective knowledge of other
learners. The primary obstacles to this now are brand- and
profit-driven. Nothing wrong with that, but if enough of a demand forces
the market, those obstacles will evaporate and users (children) will be
better served.

It's not that the OPAC is not useful, it's that its utility is
restricted to a discrete and shrinking segment of the information
spectrum.

---Bob.

/************************************************/
/* Bob Hassett, Head Librarian                */
/* Luther Jackson Middle School (081)             */
/* 3020 Gallows Road                            */
/* Falls Church, Virginia  22042              */
/* (703) 204-8133                                  */
/* Bob.Hassett@fcps.edu                      */
/************************************************/

See you in the Library!

-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Fillingim, Debra@Jupiter
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:56 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: GEN: OPACs


 Interesting...while I agree OPAC could be better, I find it quite
useful as do my students.  I have taught them well and they are able to
locate books on the system and then go to the shelf and pull the book.
This is a skill they could carry over to the public library as well.

I guess OPAC is not really an issue here. We just added some new buttons
for lexile and now it is even more helpful.


Debra Fillingim, NBCT
Media Specialist
Jupiter Elementary
Palm Bay, Fl
fillingimd@brevard.k12.fl.us


Due to Florida's broad public records law, most written communications
to or from government employees regarding public education are public
records.
Therefore, this e-mail communication may be subject to public
disclosure.  

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