Technology boosts school libraries

OK, I’ll bite….

Please tell me what this has to do with technology? Besides the title of the article and the claim in the 1st sentence there is simply nothing to backup that assertion. Oh, but it sure is snappy and now won’t all the other schools want ‘technology,’ too? Heck, it is an ILS or somesuch they are talking about: “A new automation system is also helping the district in its goal to have a more current collection, which is particularly important for non-fiction items.” Now, how does that improve test scores?

I would say that the causal factor is more likely here:

The flexible approach allows school librarians to partner with classroom teachers in planning lessons and build a connection for students between what happens in the classroom and the relevance of the library.

“It has been proven in research throughout the nation if we don’t have that connection… then the student doesn’t understand the purpose in the library,� Whitworth said.

Wow, imagine that having an idea what the library is for might make a difference. If it wasn’t for the amazing increase in test scores, 2.2% in one subject, then I would say we should be clamoring for a title rewrite to give the credit to the librarians and teachers where it is due. I doubt that 2.2% is even close to being statistically significant.

I am truly glad that these schools have some software (an ILS?) that allows the overworked school media specialists to manage their collections, and that librarians and teachers are working together, and that they are actually teaching children what the library is for and why they might want to use it. I really truly am. But, please, can anyone explain to me where technology fits into any of this from an educational standpoint?