Dear Jennifer,
I really enjoyed reading your posting. Sometimes we become so involved in
our "survival" as librarians in this world where modern technology has
become so important, that we forget the basics. I have just finished a
survey of school libraries in 61 countries. In many places, millions of
children live in similar situations to those which you have described. The
school libraries have poor facilities with old, outdated collection (and no
technology). In some countries, there are virtually no children's books in
national and official languages. But still, as you say, these libraries
exist and provide a service which is appreciated by the community. However,
the thing which really struck me is that librarians like yourself want to
improve this situation and help these children (and also their parents, who
sometimes enjoy the books which children have borrowed). I received
communications from school librarians who work for virtually nothing but who
were so enthusiastic about their work and who want to improve the quality of
the education which these children receive. It warmed my heart. They all
deserve recognition.
I wonder if it is possible to draw attention to these matters at
international level? Do you have any suggestions?
Best wishes,
Helen Boelens,
ENSIL Foundation (European network for school libraries and information
literacy)
Netherlands.
hboelens@ensil-online.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jennifer Brown" <JBROWN@GMCS.K12.NM.US>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 5:55 PM
Subject: Re: END OF GUTENBERG ERA BIBLIOGRAPHY
>I am wondering if someone could explain to me how students that don't
> have running water and electricity in their homes and only have access
> to technology and a library at school can possible use a kindle to read
> a book. 75% of my students do not have computers or even a phone in
> their home. They cant use a cell phone because there is no signal. My
> student's parents have trouble affording groceries most months; they are
> not buying their student a Kindle.
> Many of my students only have access to books because my school library
> exists. I use and teach technology with my students so they are as
> prepared as they can be if they choose to leave the reservation and
> going to college. However, I don't spend much of my limited collection
> money on electronic resources. My students cant use them from home, they
> can use a book at home.
> Heck with all the snow and mud this year I have students that could not
> get to school for 10+ days because their roads were to muddy to drive
> on. Thankfully they had library books at home to read.
> The public library in the community of Gallup (the nearest town) is
> busier than it has ever been with people checking out books and
> materials. It is PACKED most days. People are lined up at the check out
> counter.
> I just think it is important to remember when we are talking about the
> end of books, we need to remember that there is a BIG technology gap
> between the haves and the have nots in this country.
>
>
>
>
> Jennifer B. Brown
> Librarian, National Board Certification
> Church Rock Academy
> Gallup, NM
> 505-721-1406
> jbrown@gmcs.k12.nm.us
>
> I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.
> Jorge Luis Borges
>
>
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including all attachments is for
> the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential
> and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or
> distribution is prohibited unless specifically provided under the New
> Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. If you are not the intended
> recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of this
> message.
>
>
>>>> Bob Hicks <bob.hicks@USD470.COM> 3/4/2010 7:57 AM >>>
> Ms. Bates,
>
> I don't believe I am taking as you say a "hard stand" but rather
> observing a coalescing of economic, societal, and technological
> forces and trends. They don't seem to favor continuing to support the
>
> Gutenberg era or "brick & mortar" or traditional libraries. For
> instance, if libraries (administrator driven?) are turning into
> computer labs, digital books projected costing 1/3rd of print version,
>
> school architects are reducing library square footage, patrons
> accessing traditional library resources including the card catalog
> without going to the library, your library averages X number of
> patrons per day and 75% never touch a book, and the younger generation
>
> preferring to read/use digital instead of books, what do all this
> portend?
>
> Also, there are the what ifs. What if many jobs do not return--
> average unemployment stays at 7-8% or, like Europe, is considered FULL
>
> employment? Housing values remain stagnant for next 5010 years thus
> state tax revenues continue to decline? If school librarians have to
>
> cut, will it be easier or more difficult to defend to administrators
> cutting an online resource instead of books? Because of personnel
> cuts, librarians have less time to review and process books? What if
>
> 99% of books are also ebooked or the next YA bestseller is published
> first as an ebook and only six months later as a hardback or
> paperback? Kindles, ereaders are $50?
>
> In response to the trends, over the years I've expanded my online/
> digital resources to about half my budget (15-20 subscription
> databases compared to 1,200 new books), created a a virtual library of
>
> websites/resources, weekly bulk email staff/students reviews,
> bibliographies, and research suggestions, student book reviews in
> school paper, and usual displays, inservice and orientation of library
>
> resources. I've tried to encourage staff to require a certain percent
>
> of "print" citations when doing research (3 out of 6 sources?).
>
> Bob Hicks
> Arkansas City High School Library
> Arkansas City, KS 67005
> bob.hicks@usd470.com
>
>
> On Mar 3, 2010, at 3:16 PM, Naomi Bates wrote:
>
>> I'm just curious, since you take such a hard and fast stand...can
> you
>> give examples of what you, as a high school librarian in Arkansas,
>
>> do
>> in assisting student's needs in research or other searches? How are
>
>> you
>> accommodating the digital natives, or even perhaps, the digital
>> immigrants?
>> How is your library reflected? How are patrons using the library at
>> your high school and are you helping them reach their potential, be
> it
>> electronic or hardcopy?
>>
>> Just some curious questions....
>>
>> Naomi Bates
>> Northwest High School Library
>> Justin, Texas
>> nbates@nisdtx.org
>> 817-215-0203
>>
>>
>>>>> Bob Hicks <bob.hicks@USD470.COM> 3/3/2010 11:26 AM >>>
>> CHANGE
>> Too many people make the mistake of assuming "change" is
> automatically
>>
>> or guaranteed good or positive. Consequently, they are blindly in
>> favor of any or all change. Change is just change. There is a
> 50/50
>>
>> or equal chance it is good or bad or positive or negative. History
> is
>>
>> replete with change for the worse. It is merely faith over fact to
>> believe that the age of the book and the "brick and mortar" library
>> will go on forever or infinity. Why would books and libraries be
>> somehow uniquely exempt or immune from the negative consequences of
>> technology? It is hubris and wishful thinking to believe that
> printed
>>
>> books and libraries are irreplaceable or immortal.
>>
>> Here are some articles about the end of libraries and and the book
> era
>>
>> FUTURE OF BOOKS/LIBRARIES...
>> http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/04/future.library.technology/
>>
>>
> http://opls.blogspot.com/2006/09/microsoft-opens-school-without-library.html
>
>>
>>
>>
>
>http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/04/a_library_without_the_books/
>
>>
>>
>> http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/books/16libr.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
>
>>
>>
> http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2009/0717/p09s01-coop.html
>
>>
>>
>>
>
>http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/
>
>>
>>
>> http://schoolof.info/infomancy/?p=259
>>
>> http://findingschools.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/end-of-libraries/
>>
>>
> http://annoyedlibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/08/on-purpose-of-public-libraries.html
>
>>
>>
>>
>> EBOOK MARKET
>>
>
>http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/report_ereader_and_ebook_market_ready_for_growth.php
>
>>
>>
>>
>
>http://www.digitaltrends.com/talk-backs/the-future-of-ebooks-flexible-screens-and-beyond/
>
>>
>>
>> END OF BOOKSTORES
>> http://www.fonerbooks.com/booksale.htm
>>
>> BOOK BUYERS
>>
>
>http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/393983-New_Report_Examines_Book_Market_Buyers.php
>
>>
>>
>> PUBLISHING TRENDS
>>
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/dec/15/stephen-covey-amazon-ebook-deal
>
>>
>>
>>
>
>http://www.bowker.com/index.php/press-releases/563-bowker-reports-us-book-production-declines-3-in-2008-but-qon-demandq-publishing-more-than-doubles
>
>>
>>
>> EBOOK SALES UP/YA SALES DOWN
>>
>
>http://www.publishers.org/main/PressCenter/Archicves/2010_February/SalesUp4.1in2009Release.htm
>
>>
>>
>> Bob Hicks
>> Arkansas City High School Library
>> Arkansas City, KS 67005
>> bob.hicks@usd470.com
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
>> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
>> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
>> To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to:
>> listserv@listserv.syr.edu
>> In the message write EITHER:
>> 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
>> 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
>> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL
>> 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
>>
>> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
>> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
>> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm ( http://lm/ ) (
> http://lm/
>> )-net.info/join.html
>> * LM_NET Supporters:
>> http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
>> * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
>> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
>> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
>> To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to:
> listserv@listserv.syr.edu
>> In the message write EITHER:
>> 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
>> 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
>> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL
>> 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
>>
>> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
>> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
>> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm ( http://lm/
> )-net.info/join.html
>> * LM_NET Supporters:
> http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
>> * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to:
> listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER:
> 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
> 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL
> 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
>
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm ( http://lm/
> )-net.info/join.html
> * LM_NET Supporters:
> http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
> * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to:
> listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER:
> 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
> 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL
> 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
>
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
> * LM_NET Supporters:
> http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
> * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL
4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
* LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home