I agree with Naomi. It's unfair to paint all of us with the same brush.
I work in a 9-12 school and am probably the technology leader within
the school constantly sharing new applications (many of which I learn
about from this LIBRARY listserv) and troubleshooting problems. I serve
on both district level technology committees and the district literacy
committee. This takes time after school so I do have to make the
effort, much like Naomi was saying. I also have to make the effort to
promote those technologies with my teachers. We do have instructional
technologist within our county, however, I'm on the front lines and the
one most teachers and students come to when they have a question. Only
when I can't answer it do we ask the technologists for help.
I will say that I agree with DAvid regarding the safety of our jobs and
our willingness to embrace new things. WE faced a round of cuts and
while librarians were spared, for awhile it was uncertain. I kept
telling myself that my job was safe because of my role as technology
troubleshooter. If I didn't do it, who would?
While I wholeheartedly embrace technology and its usefulness in
education, I wouldn't dare throw my "old fashioned" library books.
Alison paulette
Appomattox County HS
>>> Naomi Bates <nbates@NISDTX.ORG> 6/3/2010 10:25 AM >>>
I think I've started about three times on this email to counteract what
you said David, but every time I wrote something, I look back at what
you've read and start deleting because I have to agree, somewhat. The
only thing I can say in opposition to what you've stated is that
perhaps, as a whole, you may have something there, but I do believe
there are many "pockets" of school districts and librarians who go out
and are leaders...who advocate, teach, and are an example. Call this a
grass roots effort, but it has to start somewhere.
I'm just curious - who are the technology leaders in the great big
world of education? Is it the teachers? administrators, campus or
central office? regional, state or national levels?
School libraries are only as obsolete inasmuch as the amount of effort
a librarian has in putting his/her area of expertise, be it physical
form, knowledge, or virtual, on the forefront of their campus and
district's attention. And then it begins...
Naomi Bates
Northwest HS Library Justin, Texas
TASL chair-elect, Texas Library Assn
nbates@nisdtx.org
817-215-0203
http://www.nisdtx.org/120820731141528687/site/default.asp
>>> "DiGregorio, David" <ddigregorio@TENAFLY.K12.NJ.US> 6/3/2010 8:46
AM >>>
LIBRARIES OBSOLETE - Many or most school libraries in their present
form are obsolete. The failure of library media specialists to take a
leading role years ago in technology and new ways of disseminating
information has displaced huge amounts of money. In addition, there has
been a huge failure in adding and diversifying services. We should have
perhaps 20 years ago taken a leading role in technology and
communications, but most librarians decided to remain within the comfort
of the known. Our libraries could have had everything - technology,
communications and of course books. I fault many of the state and
national associations that cling desperately to the old. They have
rendered school libraries as "Anhängers" - and that is why many are
closing in light of these tight budgets. There has been NO strategy and
zero forethought. It reminds me of the stiff geriatric leadership of
the now defunct Soviet Union!
David Di Gregorio
Supervisor Library Media Services
Tenafly High School
19 Columbus Drive
Tenafly, NJ 07670
201.696.8062 CELL
201.816.6617 DESK
ddigregorio@tenafly.k12.nj.us
www.librarymedia.net
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