Thing #15 Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

Mmmmm...so much to think about when planning for the future but often we must look to the past to help us figure out where we are going. As someone who has been around to see trends come and go I think we are handling some of the change as always. A few brave souls are leading the charge to bring these news trends into education, but as always we hang on to trends of the past. As one trend ends in general we let go of what doesn't really work and keep the beneficial aspects and all blend together.

Web 2.0 is another trend but one that brings with it new challenges that make it difficult to incorporate into the educational world. First, technology has a financial cost that historically we can not keep up with. I have found I am just beginning to buy "new technology" when it is actually outdated and other things are available. Second, students have surpassed many of the adults in the school and thus have different expectations. Third, we can not avoid the fact that children have different needs at different levels and economic situations in families determine what we can expect them to use for homework and presentations.

That said, the video was a powerful tool identifying the needs of today's students. Few teachers do not recognize that the students are different, they are just lagging in how to meet the needs of today's students. I personally feel that we are ethically required to make sure that our students who may not have technology access at home can keep up with those who do have complete access. So what does this mean for libraries? How about the level of the library; is the elementary library going to look different. As an elementary librarian, one role is to provide books to help develop readers. Do we replace all these with e-books? I have taken the role of technology leader by trying to blend the need to teach a skill with hands on material and teaching children how to use technology to access that material.

One article discussed the 3 icebergs, 2 spoke to me. First, "just in case" colllection development. We have long discussed the need for a reference section in an elementary library. I think a more appropriate use of funds is the purchase of databases, and a better allocation of our time is in teaching children how to access these databases and how to evaluate less trusted sources. The third talking point is the "come to us model". This is such a perspective, elementary kids don't have choice; they are definitely a "captive audience." Our perspective is that everyone uses and loves the library, and we are surprised to hear that many students make it through high school and college without ever using the library. If this is really the case we need to quit asking those that regularly use the library what they need and begin asking those who don't use the library how we can better change to meet the needs of everyone.

Courses like this helps keep this a hot topic...we become aware is the first step, and once that awareness sets in then we can add to what we do daily to help incorporate new technology into our programs.