The Changing Face of Libraries:  Making the Transition to Serve 21st Century Teachers & Learners

This wiki is intended as a spot where we can share our ideas, resources, concerns, successes and failures as we have an ongoing exchange of information on Libraries, the role of the Library Media Specialist, and the changes we need to make to serve 21st Century teachers and learners.  To participate, you will have to ask to be added to this collaborative space.  Once you have been added you will be able to freely contribute to the discussion.

21st Century Learner and Classroom

Getting the Discussion Started - PowerPoint from Presentation

Changing Roles

"While books and periodicals may soon be replaced by Kindles and iPads, the school librarian will never fade. However, he or she must evolve and accept new trends. The school librarian should embrace new technologies and help guide students through the vast fields of information. Students need to understand how to effectively search, cite, and integrate. These skills have never been more important. The library should not be avoided, but embraced by all teachers and students.

The library will always have a place in schools and places of learning. The design may change but the mission will endure. Teachers must find ways to integrate lessons in information literacy and lead students in the direction of accessing information and making smart connections. One of the best connections they can make is with their librarian.

These connections must happen... Students must possess the skills to discern and filter credible information while sifting through the weeds... The library will always be relevant, but the ways in which we access and use the library will change as we continually evolve our practice. There are many librarians out there making great strides in promoting a new direction in information literacy, however, there are just as many taking a stand against change. If you are one of the reluctant ones, please make an effort to embrace, even if it is only in small, incremental steps, this change. Be part of the conversation, promote emerging technologies in your library, and embrace your librarian. Really. Give them a hug." ***

Changing Approach

"Schools must collectively rethink the library and not completely change it or simply forget about it. Develop a committee that will work towards evolving the library and allow students, teachers, academic technologists, administration, and librarians to exchange ideas in a collegial manner. Expect resistance to change. Expect an all out rally for the preservation of books. Expect the "technology is a distraction" sentiment. Expect resistance from every angle but turn that resistance into questions. Which books can we still use and which can we replace with new technologies? If our students are distracted, are we really providing them with engaging lessons? And if so, what do those lessons look like? How can we harness new technologies and blend them with ageless resources? If our budget is tight, how can we still incorporate new information literacy learning strategies in the absence of technology?" ***

Changing the Look

"... rethink the library's design. The contemporary library should still house books, but blend in new and emerging technologies. It should look like a hip coffee shop with plenty of outlets for students to connect as well as comfortable places to read a book. Where there used to be print periodicals and encyclopedia sets, we now have an iPod or iPad station. We must accept that the modern library is everywhere, but before we present that concept to our students they must understand how to use it effectively. The one element that should never change in a library is the librarian." ***

*** by teacher Andrew Marinek, from his blog article Rethinking the Library to Improve Information Literacy. 

Changing Media

Keith D. Schroeder

http://keithschroeder.net

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