Methinks there needs to be a slight change in direction for this discussion.
Libraries have always been and should continue to be portals to information,
information creation and community. They are more than book repositories and
technology. The Librarian's role is to provide equity of access information in a
wide range of formats and delivery modes. The TLs role is more spceific - it
includes an overview (helicopter view) of the curriculum, selection knowledge
across curriculum areas to provide resources so all students (average, gifted,
those with learning difficulties and those with disabilties) have the opportunity
to gain an education.
Above all, you are information specialists - the IT or computer technician's role
is to look after the physical infrastructure to ensure the technology works.
Yes, the TLs role is to assist staff to access and use all forms of delivery modes
and information formats and this necessitates taking up the challenge of coming on
board with new technologies and embedding their use in a pedagiogiacal manner in
the curriculum. Using technology just for the sake of using technology teaches the
kids nothing - we need to get them thinking critically about the technology, why
and how they use it - ie. information literacy skills.
Part of the issue in Australian schools also comes back to a teacher mindset - I am
not prepared to give up any of my holidays and will only do PD that is paid for by
someone else and available to me during school time. I have a teaching degree, what
I do works for me so why should I spend money and upskill?
And yet teachers constantly grumble because they are not respected or considered
professionals.
To be a professional means constantly upodating your skills and being aware of what
is happening in your area. TLs in Australia graduate as fully fledged information
specialists who can work across the LIS sector. To be a professional in the LIS
area means keeping up with changes and challenges in the information landscape
which means to a certain extent, developments in technology.
But it doesn't mean focussing on the books or the technology - both are a means to
an end - ie. equitable access to information and for our students, access to an
education.
:)
BC
President WA Operations, WASLA, http://www.wasla.asn.au/
Vice President, Advocacy & Promotion, IASL: www.iasl-online.org
The GiggleIT Project: www.iasl-online.org/sla/giggleIT/index.htm
InfoScience Seminars: http://www.scss.ecu.edu.au/seminars/infosci/index.php
Australian School Library Research Project: www.chs.ecu.edu.au/portals/ASLRP/
Barbara Combes, Lecturer
School of Computer and Security Science Edith Cowan University, Perth Western
Australia
Ph: (08) 9370 6072
Email: b.combes@ecu.edu.au
"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an
ignorant nation." Walter Cronkite
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-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Alison Paulette
Sent: Friday, 4 June 2010 1:02 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] LIBRARIES OBSOLETE
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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