Monday, August 3, 2009

Numero Quinze (Thing #15): Le futur de bibliotheque (The future of libraries)


In Rick Anderson's article "Away from the Icebergs", I agreed with some of his perspectives on some of the icebergs to libraries. However, his article is written from his perspective as a university librarian. His Iceberg theory is more wholly applicable to public, professional, and university libraries. Pre-k thru 12 schools have much different needs when it comes to libraries. He says to look skeptically at the need for "collections", print or non-print. However, school-age children will continue to need special collections even in non-print and web formats.
The one "iceberg" that has definitely been shaping all libraries, school libraries included, is the "come to us" library model of service. Most school libraries have embraced that change to web services. If they haven't, then it's probably a funding issue or a defunkt librarian who has been there since sliced bread was invented. I think a big "iceberg" for school libraries is their role on campus as services and collections shift to the web. Teachers have a definitive role, defined by a set of skills and objectives which they are to transfer to their students. Librarians roles are beginning to shift in an ambiguous manner, defined by the needs of the teachers and students who are slaves to ever-changing curriculum and standardized testing.

No comments:

Post a Comment