The Importance of School Libraries
Public School Libraries 1953 to 2000Research has proven the importance a school library has on a child’s
life: in schools with well stocked, well-equipped
school libraries, managed by qualified and motivated
professional teacher-librarians working with support staff, one can expect:✔ capable and avid readers;
✔ learners who are information literate;
✔ teachers who are partnering with the teacher-librarian to create high- quality learning experiences. Standardized scores tend to be 10 to 20% higher than
in schools without this investment (Lance & Loertscher, 2003) (Haycock, 2003, p. 10).
The report 50 Years of Supporting Children’s Learning has a lot of statistical information on how public school libraries have changed from 1953 to 2000.
The following findings were excerpted from the nearly 50-year span of data
on characteristics of public school libraries:
· At the national level, there were approximately 129,000 public schools in 1953–54 and 84,000 in 1999–2000 (table 1-1). School consolidation was a major factor in the reduction in the number of public schools (National Center for Education Statistics 2002). At the same time, in 1953–54, approximately 27.7 million students attended
public schools in the United States. In 1999–2000, the number of students attending the nation’s public schools was about 45.0 million.
· In 1953–54, 36 percent of all public schools had library media centers, but these schools contained 59 percent of all public school students (table 1-1). In 1999–2000, 92 percent of all public schools had a school library; these schools contained 97 percent of all public school students.
· At the national level, 40 percent of public schools had a librarian in 1953–54 (table 1-1). In 1999–2000, 86 percent of public schools had a librarian.
· Nationally, for all public school students there were 3 school library books per pupil in 1953–54 and 17 books per pupil in 1999–2000 (table 1-1). (Holton, 2005, pp. v-vi)
Current School Library Conditions
Current school library conditions and standards vary from state to state, and within the states district to district. With the current economic conditions within the United States schools are facing budget cuts and it is up to the individual districts to decide where they are going to make those cuts. Some districts have reduced their library/media specialists to part-time positions, which reduces the amount of time the school library has a qualified media specialist in their school library to assist the students and teachers. The ALA has published an article on its website “Parents, librarians mobilize to save school library media programs” stating specific situations in schools across the United States.
In the Spokane (Wash.) School District, where budget cuts reduced 10 school library media specialist positions to part time, supporters of school library programs are fighting to save their school libraries, and having library services included in the state's definition of a basic education. Elsewhere in the state, the Federal Way School District slashed 20 library positions in 2006 in response to a $4 million budget deficit (Merola, 2007).The current ALA recommendations for school library standards include:
· All students have the access to certified school library media specialists.
· All school libraries be adequately funded to ensure that they include up-to-date collections in both print and electronic formats.
· The school library media program be integrated into classroom curriculum (Merola, 2007).
Questions
What are some memories you have of your school library experiences?
What is the importance of having a well stocked school library ran by a qualified teacher/media specialist?
What are current school library standards? How do they vary from state to state?
Works Cited
Abram, Stephen, Lorig, J., Siess, J. A. (2007). Out Front with Stephen Abram A Guide for Information Leasders. Chicago: American Library Association.
Dority, G. K. (2006). Rethinking Information Work A Career Guide For Librarians and Other Information Professionals. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Haycock, K. (2003). The Crisis in Canada's School Libraries The Case for Reform and Re-Investment. Retrieved January 21, 2008, from Ontario Library Coalition: http://www.peopleforeducation.com/librarycoalition/
Holton, B.A., Michie, J. S. (2005). 50 Years of Supporting Children's Learning: A History of Public School Libraries and Federal Legislation From 1953 to 2000. Retrieved January 21, 2008, from NCES: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2005/2005311.pdf
Merola, M. (2007). Parents, librarians mobilize to save school library media programs. Retrieved January 21, 2008, from American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=170545
22 comments:
This topic is one that is near and dear to my heart because I have very fond memories of the school library and even the public library during my childhood! Quite honestly, I believe that my desire to be a librarian is rooted deeply in the positive experiences I had with books as a child and the wonderful library in my community. “Library time” at school was better to me than recess was!
In my opinion, school libraries and the individuals who work in them play a significant role in a child’s life. It might sound dramatic to say, but ultimately, the experiences a child has with books and in the library setting during the early years will, in part, shape how they respond to reading as an adult. I truly believe the only reason I still devour books and thrive on learning is because I was lucky to be in both a community and school system that valued the library.
As mentioned in the blog, there are children that do not have the opportunity to experience what the public library has to offer and as a result, a school library is the last hope. It is therefore essential to make sure that these school libraries are properly staffed and meet library standards. I was actually shocked to read in Dority that although it is a mandate in most states for high school libraries to have certified library media specialists, many states do not require it for elementary and middle schools. Do we allow individuals without proper teaching certification the right to step into a classroom? Why then, is it okay for an uncertified individual to be in the role of school librarian? This is not to say that those who fill these roles are completely incompetent, but when the casualties of the lack of qualification are children, why pay the price? Properly qualified individuals can offer so much more. Their training and experience can better assess the needs of children at varying ages and reading levels.
Furthermore, it is devastating to me, that when school budgets are in trouble, school libraries all too often take the hit. If school districts reduce the school library resources a child has at such an impressionable time in his or her life, don’t they ultimately reduce the capacity for learning? Perhaps I just live in an idealistic world where I, as an individual, place a great emphasis on learning at a young age and believe that a school library is a vital tool.
Works Cited
Dority, G. K. (2006). Rethinking Information Work A Career Guide For Librarians and Other Information Professionals. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
I, also, have extremely fond memories of libraries as a child. I would agree that libraries have played a significant role in my desire to become a librarian.
On a more general level, I also feel my experiences with libraries have fueled my desire to learn and study. Feeling safe and comfortable in both school and public libraries growing up, I was never afraid of doing research. I was aware of the tools available to me (card catalogue, dictionary, etc) and how to use them.
I found Abram's comments on school libraries especially haunting. In the very small school system I was raised in, I had not heard the title "media specialist" until halfway through high school, when my eighth grade science teacher took over the high school library. A mere four years later, he was removed, the library was closed up, and until recently, was only accessible by teachers desiring to use the library for classroom research. I've been informed that just this year the library has been re-opened, via parents willing to volunteer their time so that the children can access information freely.
I feel it is difficult to keep reading and information standards high without the proper staffing and stocking of school libraries.
Works Cited
Abram, Stephen, Lorig, J., Siess, J. A. (2007). Out Front with Stephen Abram A Guide for Information Leasders. Chicago: American Library
My memories of school libraries, unfortunately, is one of a large room with books, that kids were sent to for detention. I do not recall the school library being a bustling hub of youngsters seeking knowledge. From the outside looking in (I never went to detention), when detention was not in session the library was usually empty or meetings were held for faculty and staff.
I do recall in middle school, being sent to the library with a group of other honor students to fill out catalog cards. I remember copying some cards 3 or 4 times. The school librarian was also a mortician, so no one wanted to go to the library and touch books that had been touched by the hands of someone that worked with the deceased.
I was one of those children that had a early, memorable and happy experience with the public library. Due to my inquisitiveness at the age of five, I was exposed to the public library, in search of books to tell me how that baby got in my mommie's stomach. Thanks to my mom, I've been able to count a 28-day cyclce since I was six years old.
I do think that library exploration should be a high graduation requirement.
This exposure would give students headed to college a boost in research skills. For those who plan not pursue higher education, the use of the library can help with personal growth and development. Making library exploration a state-wide graduation requirement, would ensure funding for school libraries.
School librarianship is a multi-faceted job. The most rewarding part as Dority discussed is changing the life of a student by helping them find their inner scholar.
Dority, G. K. (2006). Rethinking Information Works. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
bethany,
I completely agree with you. I went to an elementary school where a certified teacher ran our school library, and we had library time once a week. I think it is a shame that there are elementary schools where kids do not get this oppertunity, and it is up to the individual classroom teachers to give their students this experience.
nicole,
It was at your high school where they removed the media specialist position and closed the library? What state did you go to high school in? I believe that in the state of Michigan all public middle schools and high schools must have a certified media specialist/teacher. I tried looking on Michigan's Department of Education website to find the document that states this, but I have not been able to find it yet.
anissa,
I am sorry to hear that your memories of your school library experience are not pleasant ones. Research has proven that schools with well stocked media centers that are run by qualified media specialists/teachers produce students with a higher level of thinking and are more prepared for college.(Abram, 2007, p.19)
My memories of the school library are probably pretty similar to those of Bethany and Nicole. I remember that library was one of my favorite “specials.” I always loved to read, and was eager to be in a place that was filled with books and the potential to learn. I don’t specifically remember any one school librarian making an either a positive or negative impact on me, but I do remember liking the school library.
However, I have also had some not so positive experience with school libraries and school media specialists. In particular, when I did my student teaching the school media specialist at the school didn’t really make a very good impression on me. He didn’t seem to be able to deal well with the kids, in fact almost daily at least one child from my team teaching sector was kicked out for bad behavior. They were all pretty good kids too. Part of it might have been that what he was teaching seemed a bit beyond the level of the students, at least in my opinion. We were in a fairly urban and low income area, and the kids didn’t have much experience with computers in general and might have needed a little extra help with certain things. I also don’t think that the teacher had much passion for his work, which couldn’t have helped the situation. To me this underscores the need to properly train school media specialists, as well as the need for school media specialists, as well as any other librarian, to really enjoy and work hard at what they do.
This enjoyment must be found in an increasing difficult set of conditions Budget cuts and pressure from No Child Left Behind, that school media specialists are facing a lot of pressure. According to an article by Mary Alice Anderson “the emphasis on tests and the fear of a school not making Adequate Yearly Progress are causing a great deal of confusion and stress for many teachers. “ Anderson talks about how media centers are used more for testing now and how fewer states mandate media specialists. In regards to NCLB, she states that “it is ironic that a program emphasizing reading and "highly qualified" has no requirements for "highly qualified media specialists." This comment definitely made me think. I think that the school library is such an important place for a child, and I wish that it would get a little more of the respect that it deserves.
Works Cited
Anderson, Mary Alice. "NCLB and Media Programs." MultiMedia & Internet@Schools. July/August 2004: 32.
Everyone agrees that in order to become successful adults, children need to read. For example, a study by the National Endowment for the Arts (the “NEA”), released in 2007, found that, although two-thirds of employers considered reading comprehension "very important", 38 percent of employers find the reading skills of most U.S. high school graduates deficient. NEA (2007). I also found it interesting that, according to the NEA, “[l]iterary readers are more likely than non-readers to engage in positive civic and individual activities – such as volunteering, attending sports or cultural events, and exercising.” NEA (2007). And this does not even touch on the computer literacy skills children must develop today, and the fact that school media centers play a vital role in this area. Dority (2006). pp. 47-48. But children need a well-stocked, well-run library before they can become avid readers—even more so in those communities that are least likely to have a good library, those communities where parents cannot afford a weekly trip to Barnes and Noble.
I was struck, therefore by the comments about libraries in schools that are kept closed, except when a teacher brings his or her students down to do a project. Before you can have a decent library, you must have a well trained librarian. I spoke with a school librarian recently, who had just taken over an elementary school library that had suffered from neglect for several years. The books were in disarray, un-cataloged, and un-labeled, making it impossible to find a book needed or requested by a child, or to even know if the book was contained in the collection. Even worse, because no one had weeded and updated the collection, its books on science and technology were woefully out of date, and some contained inaccurate information, or information that was just plain wrong—something to think about when you read about our country lagging behind other countries in match and science. The school had a room full of books, which was something, but its value to the students was terribly limited.
And a locked room, left in a disorganized state, is not likely to create any fond memories, or teach children library use skills. I remember always being impressed with my school library’s rows and rows of neatly organized books and the fact that I could always find any book I might want. I also loved story time, and believe it contributed to my love of books. In our library we sat in an intentionally constructed depression in the floor called the well while we listened, and, so long as we behaved, we were allowed to let library pets loose in the well with us to hold and pet—I don’t have a clue what the theory behind the guinea pigs, rabbits, and rat (named lollipop) might have been, and, looking back, I hope the animals didn’t suffer, but it was really fun and created strong memories.
Works cited:
Dority, G. Kim (2006). Rethinking information work: A career guide for librarians and other information professionals. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited.
National Endowment for the Arts. (2007, November 19). National Endowment for the Arts announces new reading study: Follow-up to Reading at Risk links declines in reading with poorer academic and social outcomes. Retrieved January 30, 2008, from http://www.nea.gov/news/news07/TRNR.html.
Growing up in Nebraska, I was lucky to attend a small school that considered the library to be equal to education. The library was a place to go to accomplish something, to share study space and giggles with my friends, and to collect my thoughts. Those feelings carried over into the summers when I would go to the library to escape not only the heat but the doldrums of summer. The school librarians were serious, helpful, and kept us quiet. The "schoolmedia specialists" of today have to wear many different hats. He/she must be technically educated in order to stay one step ahead of very technically savvy students, must be knowledgable of federal guidelines that protect minors from harmful online resource sites (i.e.CIPA), must be able communicate and teach the value of resources other than Wikipedia and Google that are so easy to access but carry alot of unsubstantiated material, and be able to educate the staff and the community of parents as to what is going on. I decided to check out my Community's current standards for technology as it applies to curriculim and the library. This school district "has a primary objective of integrating technology into teaching and learning and the organizational infrastructure itself. Technology is considered a required communication skill of the modern era and all participants, students and staff alike, must have mastery of this skill if they are to successfully interact with their everchanging environment. The district is committed to providing the necessary resources to achieve this goal." (Academics, Technology Overview.gpschools.org.,January 29,2008) It will be our responsibility as future librarians to fight for this mission in all schools because when the school library suffers, so does the curriculum, so then does the education of future generations. And, how about the school librarians responsibility to teach a good old respect and love of the book that we hold in our hands, and touch, and carefully turn the pages of?
kelly m,
I think all the different tasks done by the school media specialist make it a difficult job. To do the job successfully you need to be a well rounded person: you need to have the desire to work with kids, collaborate with teachers, maintain the media center, and be in charge of the schools technology. Very few teachers are certified to be media specialists, and I am sure it is difficult to find someone that can do all of things well unfortunately.
holly,
I find the article you found on the high school in Texas to be very interesting and I agree with reasoning behind. If students enjoy being in the environment of the media center they are more likely to want to be there to study, use the resources available to them, and become more successful. I know a lot of people like to study at a coffee house because they like the atmospere, so why not bring it to the media center? The Rochester Hills Public Library sells coffee drinks and smoothies.
k. gordon,
I think it is very unfortunate that schools are even allowed to have media centers in such a desperate state. What makes it even worse is that it is most likely this is happening in schools where kids need it the most. A few years ago my friend was teaching in Philadelphia through Teach for America, she had sent an e-mail out asking people to donate books and money to start a school library at the elementary school she was teaching at. I could not believe that in the twenty-first century that there were public schools out there with out school libraries.
anne j,
It is interesting to think about the different hats that a media specialist has to wear, and what does a school do that does not even have a media specialist? I think technology is a very important aspect of the curriculum teachers teach, and the technology guidance a media specialist can give to its teachers is a very important aspect of their job.
I remember my elementary school library being a great experience as a lot of you do. We had freedom to browse for books and check them out for schoolwork or for pleasure, and were normally given time to read whatever we wanted at some point during the day. However, as I got older and went to high school, the media center was very lacking. Similar the one Nicole P had an experience with, the library was only open to teachers that had reserved time for some special project. If you wandered into the library during your free time without a pass, you were kicked out! Luckily I had access to public libraries and was able to get my book fix on my own time after school.
My first memory of a library was walking down to the local public library in elementary school. We never had a library in our school until I was in Junior High. Even then, it was only accessible only if you were scheduled to be there with your class. You couldn’t just walk in because you felt like it. It was the same for high school. Like Kate M. said, I was lucky to have my local public library to go to.
I have never even heard of a “media specialist” until I started reading our books. Only then did I realize that my memories of my school’s libraries were surely lacking the proper staffing. The staff that was currently in place was only there to do a job and they did not want students coming into the library making a mess. Not good memories there.
I believe that school librarianship or “media specialist” are essential to a students learning process. From the readings, I also just realized that media specialist wear many more hats than other librarian. I work for an academic library and you can not imagine how many students still walk into the library and ask how to look something up. A well stocked and well qualified media specialist will help the learning process of students as they are thrown into the world of college learning which is basically a do it yourself world. Like the Dority said “[school librarians] have the potential to shape students’ lifelong attitudes and assumptions about libraries...”
Work Cited:
Dority, G. Kim. Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Libraries and Other Information Professionals. Westport: Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
Growing up in a working city on the East side of my native country from Eastern Europe, I felt privileged to be surrounded by books from my early years.
I was sailing through my school time year after year, books being my ship and stories being my water. What would be the wind you might ask….then I guess that would be the need for information.
School’s library was one of the first libraries I stepped into. I was impressed by the fact that there were so many books, all waiting to be read. To me, at that time Miss Anna, the librarian, was the stories gatekeeper.
Not long after that, I have learned that the City has its own library, even bigger and more important, open all day long. In that library I felt very comfortable, I felt like home.
My college years put me face to face with the cold reality of Mathematics and Science, so not much time for casual reading, only professional, but still using the library rather as a base than a simple place to go to study. All this time I was never to far from books, I kept them within my reach. Many times the library was a shelter from the daily stress, taking advantage of the quiet, calm environment.
The Masters of Science degree acquired opened up many opportunities for me, and I took the first one that looked interesting to me at the time. A few years passed doing that engineering job and the overall feeling was that something was missing… with a regular day divided between job and daily chores was no time left for library anymore.
Suddenly everything was clear to me: if I can’t make room in my life for library along with job and other responsibilities, then the library should be my job.
I promptly responded to a job offer for an entry-level librarian at a main branch City Library. It must have been waiting for me, because I was hired soon after.
From the first day at work there I felt back at home again.
I worked there for eight years, when we, myself and my family, decided for a radical change in our life, and as a result, nine years ago we landed at Smith terminal at Metro Detroit Michigan, our new home.
All along this time, I held several engineering jobs, but I always wanted to work in a library again. I guess that, once you got the “library bug”, it is hard to get rid of it…
Holly, The idea of school and public library as social information hub is very exciting to me. If we can make the library hip again, like a coffee shop draws its patrons in with their laptops and promise of good conversation, we will be making great progress. The library, both public and school, has great potential to become the center of the community it serves. The Chelsea District Library was just named as The Best Small Library in America by the Bill and Melinda gates Foundation. The library decided to intensely survey its patrons to findout what their patrons and community wanted, and then reponded. With "increased paid staff, facilitated additional user friendly services, and installed the newest technologies" (Chelsea District Library website)New book and movie discussions, programs for teens and seniors were added, and technologies were updated for easier and increased access to the internet and information services. All of this in a modernized, historic building. Perhaps Web 2.0 could be used in the libraries favor, to announce events, to discuss programs and exhibits, to discuss the community issues. There are many ways to draw the students and community into the library.
Sources cited:
Chelsea District Library website retrieved January 31, 2008http://www.chelsea.lib.mi.us
Despite not being directly impacted by my school librarians, I believe they are extremely important. They shape the lives of children, preteens, and teenagers. I also think that they are underappreciated. According to G. Kim Dority, they teach, instruct, coach, collect, manger, clerk, shelve and a whole lot more, all in one day or work.
Works Cited
Dority, G. K. (2006). Rethinking Information Work A Career Guide For Librarians and Other Information Professionals. Westport: Libraries Unlimited
kate m.,
It seems odd that at the high school level students were not continued to be encouraged to use the school library. I guess when I think back to my high school library the only time I went there was when my whole class went to work on a project. It was not promoted as a place to check out books to read for pleasure.
mary c.,
I agree with this statement: "A well stocked and well qualified media specialist will help the learning process of students as they are thrown into the world of college learning which is basically a do it yourself world." I believe it is up to the media specialist to help guide teachers and give them ideas for lessons, but I think in most cases it is up to individual teachers to give students experience with research, not the media specialist.
diana f.,
I think it says a lot that the library means so much to you. Your story is very moving and motivating. I am sure many people will benefit from your motivation when you are back working in a library, the place where you are meant to be.
robin lang,
I agree that in most cases media specialists are under appreciated. They have so many different responsibilities within one day and they do it all on their own.
I wrote a little bit about my school library experience on the Blackboard discussion board, so I don't want to repeat myself, but my experience seems to be similar to a lot yours in that my school library in middle and high school was basically the place where the encyclopedias lived. Students weren't really encouraged to hang out or visit for pleasure. I would have really loved to have had a warm and welcoming place such as some of you report having. I don't even know who the school media specialist was, though I suppose we must have had one.
I'd love to say that school media specialists can positively impact a child's life, but I suppose it's also true that they can make an impact by their absence too. Just think of how many kids who would really benefit from having a champion of reading and books in their school are going without and perhaps never getting that push that propels them towards being life-long readers.
Diana F, I enjoyed reading your description of your life through libraries. You're probably right that once you get the library bug, you can't get rid of it so easily!
Although I'm hoping to become youth services librarian, I'm really not very interested in school librarianship. It seems to me that librarians in schools get all of the hassles of being teachers, but none of the good things. They have to put up with dwindling budgets and a mandated curriculum, but also don't get to have the relationships with students and feel like they're really connecting with kids. Of course, I'm sure that some school librarians do end up having strong ties to their students, I'm thinking of Laura Amy Schlitz, the woman who just won the Newbery Award for her book "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!" According to the news stories I read, the inspiration for that book came out of a desire to provide her students with a play that had numerous parts of equal importance for kids to act out. And now she has a Newbery Award!
I think of school libraries like I do any worthwhile endeavor; the product is only as good as the effort that went into it. The example of the Spokane, WA school district trying to "streamline" its library system seems to be stark in its likely effects. With fewer professionals on the job less can be gained from having a school library.
The danger is great when meddling with school libraries. As Stephen abram puts it, "If you want to damage a culture- attack its libraries. Libraries can be as strong as a tree, but they're as fragile as a flower." (Out Front, p. 6) It also seems that people know this and will fight to defend their resourses, as did the reactionary group in Spokane. One can only hope that parents have their eyes open for the harm.
I think this is a great essay on school libraries. Their effects were discussed, challenges to them were described, and future goals for them were outlined. After reading this entry I feel I have a better understanding of the school media situation.
A well stocked library is crucial to an individual’s intellectual and social development. I cannot make an informed decision if I do not have access to information and ideas. All perspectives of an issue need to be represented in my library in order for me to research an issue or belief system to its fullest. And even better, if a qualified teacher/media specialist/librarian is staffed, my chances of finding the highest quality of information that meets my specific needs are greater than if I were to go it alone. If I cannot perform an in-depth method of research than I hope there would be someone employed in the library that can help me.
Forgive the lateness of my reply, but put me down on the "fond memories of the school library" list.
I always remembered the libraries being extremely inviting, the library personnel friendly, and I also remember being opened to new things and different aspects of cultures, mainly due to my elementary school librarian, Miss Jones, who was an incredible storyteller.
The school library was also a place where I could get away for a while, particularly in junior high. Back then, most of the guys my age were obsessed with sports, and since I wasn't really a jock back then, the library (and computer lab...I did divide my time!) was a great place to just chill out, go over any material I needed to touch up on, and play endless hours of games like "Oregon Trail". Plus, they almost always had the new issue of MAD Magazine (a childhood favorite) available.
And Bethany, I do agree that school libraries do take the hit when there are budget cuts. In elementary school, we had a terrific media technician who we almost lost because of a millage that was proposed, and a lot of parents and students fought to keep her. (Mrs. Sunne did subsequently move out of state, but by the time that happened, my friends and I were long gone!)
I was lucky, going to several school districts that had great school libraries. We should make sure that other districts should have things just as good. :)
The school library was a place that the students could go to learn about their current studies or just a place to check out books that they wanted to read. I remember that library time was a time to get out of actual classroom work, but it opened my eyes to other materials that I found interesting, something that I was not forced to read, something I could pick out for myself to enjoy. The librarian was a typical librarian, she had her hair in a bun with the glasses and the long skirts, but she was the sweetest lady, she would always help, and if I could not find something that I was looking for, she would always find a substitute and it was almost as good as the original that I had wanted. I even remember in high school that sometimes I would enjoy going to the library during lunch hour instead of spending the time with my friends. I did not realize it at the time, I found myself looking through history books, but never thought about getting a degree in history until I was half way done with my undergrad. The library is a place where I could feel safe with my thoughts and no one could bother me.
School libraries are in trouble due to lack of funding and it is hard to see that schools can easily cut back on the funding. Not only do they create a safe haven for some children, but it also gives them the access to materials they would not have in some libraries that lack materials. Media specialists are there to help students with their learning and need to have a well stocked library, not just a few books that may due in the mean time until they get more funding. Computers are a big part of learning and children need access to them, not just some old box that may work when it wants to. Children are the future and if they do not have the right resources, they will not obtain the proper education. Media specialists need to be qualified to be able to give the right information to students when they ask, they need to have the skills to tend to the age/grade levels. They need the skills to reach out to all ages to help them prepare for higher education, to prepare them with the skills to succeed in literacy and research.
The role that a Media specialist plays is an important one, they help children find their knowledge within themselves and to apply it to achieve an higher education to succeed in the real world. If we did not have them, and public libraries were not available, where would we be?
Sources:
Dority, G. K. (2006). Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Abram, Stephen, Lorig, J., Siess, J.A. (2007). Out Front with Stephen Abram: A Guide for Information Leaders. Chicago: American Library.
Thinking back to my grade school library, I am pretty sure my experience is a little different.. I attended a small catholic school in Dearborn Heights, MI. Our library was about the size of a classroom. The number of books we had were few in number and I remember them all being very old. What I remember most about going to the library in grade school was the librarian we had. She was an old irish women who spoke with a thick accent. She would tell the most amazing stories about her life in Ireland growing up. For eight years I heard stories of traveling and what you could learn from different places. Those stories fueled not only a love and want for traveling, but also they encouraged me to read and learn about destinations beyond Michigan..
I would definitely agree with some of the other bloggers that library time was far better than recess.
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