Those who talk up the role of ICT in education often refer to the internet as a”cyber library”. They believe books are obsolete technology, that libraries will become an anachronism, and the economists have even been heard to say that schools will be able to save money by doing away with their libraries.
Back in 2000 I visited Steele Canyon High School in California. The school had not yet opened, and we were taken into a large area that would be the library. Our guide said it would probably be a library without the usual complement of books - the decision had been taken to supply each student with an e-reader and all text books would be loaded on to that. Encyclopaedias would only be available in digital form and there would be few books on the shelves.
So I visited the Steele Canyon High School Library website today and the pictures there show that it too has books. Yes, the e-book scheme has survived, students get their text books via their eBackpack, but books are still in evidence.
Australian schools are mostly a long way from adopting e-book schemes, although heaven knows that it would lighten the load in those hefty back packs that always remind me so much of Pilgrim’s burden. But one thing that has happened is that in many schools, particularly primary schools, there is now no designated librarian. In others the role of librarian and ICT manager have been merged.
19-25 May in Australia is Library and Information Week. Those twin pillars ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association) and ASLA (Australian School Library Association) have issued a joint press release: Literacy is for everyone; school libraries essential for delivering the Government’s promise. ASLA President Mr. Rob Moore points out that the school library is central to everyone in the school community. It is integral to the school learning environment, and a vital part of the school’s push into literacy and numeracy.
Want to know what an excellent school librarian can do? ALIA and ASLA have produced a statement of standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians. It describes the professional knowledge, skills and commitment demonstrated by teacher librarians working at a level of excellence. It represents the goals to which all Australian teacher librarians should aspire, and provides inspiration for quality teaching and ongoing professional practice.
I for one believe that school libraries and their staff have an essential role to play in Australia’s Digital Education Revolution. All strategies and planning must include this essential resource.
edna communities for teacher librarians
- Teacher Librarians Meeting Space
- Libraries Community on me.edu.au
- Library Advocacy Community on me.edu.au
2 Comments
Hello, TLs need to be ready to play that pivotal role in the DER. And, it is easy for us to keep informed and inspired by being part of the edna community
Cheers!
Has anyone done a study on the necessity for children to hold a book in their hands to acquire total ownership of the text , as opposed to looking at something on a screen and only using 1 of the five senses.
I thought Mem Fox said something about the importance of putting a book in the hands of a child to achieve total sensory activation of immersion. Any comments?
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