David and Naomi both stated opinions in which I find some agreement.
Naomi asks, "Who are the technology leaders?" Well, they are few and
far between. Districts have literally been throwing money at
technologies because they are cool, cutting-edge and sexy! It is
expected to have this stuff. Training for teachers has been pitiful,
expectations overall are even worse. I remember watching a new teacher
hired into my building and of course she answered "Yes, I can use a
Smart Board" at her interview. When I asked the principal in November, "Was new
equipment purchased to use with the Smart Board in Room XXX?
The projector, cart, and cables have never been checked out of the
library this year." The principal was astonished to learn that the SB wasn't being
used in that room. The board was never used that year, and then the
next year it was moved into a different room.
Who are the
leaders? They are the people who seek out new opportunities and ask for new
options in education. However, sometimes when we ask we get
ridiculous responses. I called our IT dept to ask about using iMovie.
"Is it being used in the district? Has any training been offered that I missed?
Have any of the secondary people already worked out some
kinks? It is installed on all of the new computers in our district (500+)." I was
told that iMovie is not being encouraged. It just brought too many issues that IT
wasn't ready to
deal with at the time. Too much memory required, too many copyright
issues, and since there has been no training offered teachers might mess things up
and then IT would have more work fixing
things. There were a couple more questions about what I was planning
for lessons and activities, and then I was told that Power Point would
probably work just fine. Instead I quit asking questions, learned some
video software that is available on the web, and now we are ready to do
some COOL projects.
The problem isn't just in the library, and
it's not just because librarians didn't embrace technology. I think it
might be more about bringing innovation into education. Libraries
aren't traditional and old-fashioned all the time, and so they don't fit into a
neat little mold anymore.
I just go with my "icing"
theory, and try to do my own thing. Right now, our librarians still
have district support and I have a job. I'll count my lucky stars, and
keep my head down. If you are interested in my "icing" theory just
email off-list.
Lisa Hunt, NBCT 2005
School Library Media Specialist
Apple Creek Elementary
Moore, OK
lisa3moon@yahoo.com
________________________________
From: Naomi Bates <nbates@NISDTX.ORG>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Thu, June 3, 2010 9:25:17 AM
Subject: Re: LIBRARIES OBSOLETE
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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