Re: [LM_NET] Crossposting-Organized Media Center

[Harry Coffill <HCoffill@EGRPS.ORG>]

Wow! Thanks for all your responses everyone! The notes I've gotten from LM_Net this 
AM have been intriguing, too.

Here are some paraphrases of responses that I got from both MAME and LM_Net:

"Almanacs are necessary."

"Not all libraries have computers/working computers."

"I hope you're still requiring students to learn how to find material in books."

"Don't deny patrons access to hard copies of materials."

"The tech level of patrons varies even within an age group."

So...to clarify. We were discussing the integration of REF within my NF stacks. I 
still stand by that decision IN MY PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY. Those of you in public 
libraries--I very much understand spending your money on reference materials and 
maintaining that collection. I may not agree with some of the more esoteric tomes 
you're spending money on, but they're your patrons and you know what they need.

I'm still buying almanacs, encyclopedia (but not for much longer...) and atlases. 
I'm just shelving them where my patrons can find them. I try to never have students 
need to look in more than one place for materials.

In fact, I see that it's easier to EMPHASIZE the importance of books by not making 
patrons do a "leg-search." You can walk them to one spot and show them ALL of the 
materials they need. 

We keep emphasizing the importance of getting kids "away from Googling." Why 
complicate that message by making patrons look in multiple places for books?

I watched my REF section gather dust the first three years I was here. I pointed to 
it, shouted about it, pulled books from it, and frankly could have done a tap-dance 
complete with tails and I don't think kids would have gone there. The books are 
being used now. Isn't that the point?

As to tech issues. (My 2 cents alert!) How much are you spending on "Current 
Biography," "Career Pathways", etc, etc, etc. How much are they really getting 
used? How many desktop computers could you buy for the yearly subscription price of 
those materials? 

Thanks for the scintillating conversation...

Harry

Harry F. Coffill
hcoffill@egrps.org
Media Center Specialist
East Grand Rapids Middle School
Drama Department
East Grand Rapids High School 

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."Benjamin Franklin 

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