More Involved Role Urged for School Libraries

School librarians in the Socorro Consolidated School District (NM) recently spoke to school board members and made a pitch for better integration of school libraries in the overall school setting. The librarians presented evidence from studies by Keith Curry Lance, the director of library research service for the Colorado State Library and the University of Denver which demonstrated the positive impact of a well-funded and regarded school library has on educational success. More from the very interestingly titled El Defensor Chieftain (NM).

June 2, 2004 by Uncategorized 2

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2 Responses

  1. Eli says:
    June 2, 2004 at 6:41 pm

    School Libraries
    School libraries are usually the first victim of budget cuts. A while back the Philadelphia school district was considering removing professional librarians from the high school libraries. In our “self-serve” age people are led believe that they can do anything, even technically generated tasks. How often do we hear people boasting that they find what they need on the INTERNET without a librarian’s assistance. They don’t realize that their search is flawed because they had no strategy to find exactly what they need to fill their bibliographic request. If our profession needs a public relations overhaul to prove that our skills are vital to the educational process, there is no better place to start than with the young people. Every profession adapts to the times and retools using time honored techniques delivered with new techncology. Our profession is no different. We need to demonstrate that we are not obsolete not merely say it. Bravo to this initiative.

    Reply
  2. GregS* says:
    June 2, 2004 at 7:15 pm

    yes and no
    I love that they went directly to the school board. Its too easy to get waved off by administration because they’re too busy worrying about how the sports program is doing.

    “As a collaborative teacher and learner, a librarian works in the classroom helping in the design and delivery of instruction. They also help teachers become self-reliant users of information resources and technology.”

    I agree with the second statement in the paragraph but I think they are overreaching with the first. A librarian should be able to adapt to any curriculum, their main focus is making sure students and teachers know how to actually use resources. Class structure shouldn’t be an issue.

    “…get kids excited about learning…” Honestly I *hate* that statement. True success comes from getting excited about an idea but then calming down and sticking your nose to the grindstone and doing the grunt work involved to bring the idea to fruition. Its rarely fun but always worthwhile.

    Reply

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