Debate: Are School Librarians Expendable?
I didn’t see a lot of discussion or commentary, at least in my circles, on this recent New York Times, Room for Debate discussion of the question, “Are school librarians expendable?” So, I thought this might be a good place to share.
Specifically, debaters considered whether school administrators see librarians as more expendable than other school employees and if so, why?
Librarian Jessamyn West refocuses the question on larger issues in our education system and defines the 21st Century librarian’s role: “Now a librarian, or school media specialist, is more of a discerning cultivator and a matchmaker between people and the widely varied resources that meet their information needs… [T]he integral role of librarians isn’t always obvious from the outside; as a result their contributions can be undervalued.”
Tech exec Ze’ev Wurman made some broad assertions about books, reading, and our nation’s schools without offering much evidence to back them up:“Yet all this discussion about libraries and librarians misses an essential point: even with recent cuts we already spend enough for the good education of every student, even in the most frugal state.”
Author Francine Prose reflects on Mrs. Morgan, a school librarian who made a significant impact on her life: “So I would like to take this chance… to publicly thank [Mrs. Morgan] and all the others like her, the librarians to whom we owe so much, though their influence may not be quantifiable on any standardized test. I would like to express my gratitude to Mrs. Anna Morgan for helping turn me into a reader, a writer, a lifelong lover of books… “
As for me, I certainly don’t think school librarians are expendable, but can see how the nuanced role they play in a student’s success could go unnoticed (and unmeasured). I agree they no longer exclusively play the traditional role of book selector and keeper of the library. School librarians are generally a passionate lot and sharing their enthusiasm for reading and learning should be part of students’ education, as well as new roles teaching students about critical evaluation to deal with 21st Century information overload and imparting necessary tech skills to efficiently find, understand, manage, and use the information students need. When school officials quickly react to budget cuts by permanently changing the composition of their faculty, with no mandates to shift the teaching of these skills from the library exclusively to the classroom, I can’t help but wonder about the long-term effects on students. As an academic librarian, I wonder, specifically, whether these students will be ready for college-level research. Whether they’ll have the curiosity to drive them.
So, what are your thoughts? Are school librarians expendable?
Free Webcast: The Future of Library Technology
Library Journal and Ex Libris are sponsoring a Free Webcast: “The Future of Library Technology: How Trends in Scholarly Communication and Technology are Impacting Academic Libraries.”
Thursday, July 7, 2011 from 12:00-1:00 EDT.
Even though the event is free, you must still register for the event. Registration is available online.
Information about the event taken from the website:
Few libraries today develop the 5-10 year strategic plans they once did due to the dynamic environments within academic and research libraries. In this webinar, Jack Ammerman, Associate University Librarian for Digital Initiatives and Open Access at Boston University Libraries, will discuss ways in which shifting user needs and expectations as well as trends in the scholarly and technology worlds have effected planning for library technology at BU. Oren Beit-Arie, Chief Strategy Officer at Ex Libris, will review the ways in which Ex Libris has and is responding to these trends with specific examples from the next generation library services Primo and Alma.
Panelists:
Jack Ammerman, Associate University Librarian for Digital Initiatives and Open Access at Boston University Libraries
Oren Beit-Arie, Chief Strategy Officer at Ex Libris
LSTA Funds at Work!
In my humble opinion, one of the best things about being a member of the CRD Committee is that we get to distribute LSTA Grants to PaLA chapters, divisions, roundtables, as well as other library organizations, to provide professional development programming. I am always impressed with the variety and types of programs that are offered. It is also nice to attend some of these programs to see LSTA Funds at work! This year, I was very fortunate to be able to attend several programs. Here are some interesting highlights from some programs that I attended and even some from those I haven’t but heard great things about!
- CRD offered a very well received workshop on Assessment featuring Megan Oakleaf, author of ACRL Value of Academic Libraries report
- The West Branch Chapter had a great technology workshop which highlighted e-readers, gadgets, and online tools.
- The Library Instruction Round Table had a workshop on learning styles and how to incorporate critical thinking into information literacy.
- TCLC had NPR librarian, Kee Malesky, as a keynote speaker.
- Trexler Library at Muhlenberg College had a program on copyright.
- The Southwest Chapter went with a ‘techie social worker’ theme, which included not only technology sessions, but also sessions on working effectively with different kinds of patrons, such as substance abusers.
- Kutztown University hosted a program on Digital Learning Materials featuring John Shank as the speaker.
- The South Central Workshop included sessions on Fundraising, Advocacy, Public Speaking, and Customer Service.
- The Lehigh Valley Chapter always has a jam-packed conference; this year’s topics included Reorganization of Libraries, Children’s Authors’ Panel, Google Apps, Student Engagement and Outreach, Library Instruction in Content Management Systems, Assessing Information Literacy, and more.
- Advocacy was also the hot topic at the Northeast Chapter Workshop.
There are also some great programs coming up thanks to the many PaLA members who plans these functions and have requested LSTA funding:
- In July, keep an eye out for a school and academic librarian information literacy workshop.
- In August, the PaLA Leadership Development Committee will be offering a workshop on ‘monkey management’ (that alone is very intriguing!)
- And we can’t forget about the upcoming PaLA Annual Conference, where Marshall Breeding will be the keynote speaker at the CRD Luncheon.
Wow! I think that PaLA members certainly get a great value for professional development programming. Much of this programming could not be done without not only PaLA membership but also the LSTA grants. If you have a program that would be of benefit to academic librarians, be sure to think about including LSTA grants!
CRD Board Candidates for 2012
Following are the PaLA-CRD members running for the CRD Board for 2012.
VICE-CHAIR/CHAIR ELECT:
Paul Process, New Media Librarian, Bucks County Community College
As a member of the CRD Board for the past several years I have been very involved with the Board’s activities; making the vast majority of meetings/conferences/workshops, doing tech stuff, and speaking up and contributing where I have something to add. It is under a “contributing where I can” philosophy that I am running for Vice-Chair/Chair Elect. My “grand vision” for CRD is to make sensible improvements in process and other areas of interest as a curious and thoughtful person. It is not so much that I have faith in my own estimation of my ability to be a successful VC/CE as faith in the wonderful and successful folks that asked me to consider running. In different terms, I am driven by a sense of duty and challenge rather than wont of resume fodder (I already have my dream job). I’m the New Media Librarian at Bucks County Community College. I also serve on the Southeast Chapter Board and various other endeavors of PaLA. Feel free to contact me for more information if you are so inclined: procesp [at] bucks [dot] edu.
TREASURER:
Jennifer V. Luksa, Head of Collection Resource Management, Bevevino Library, Misericordia University
I am the Head of Collection Resources Management at Misericordia University, where I have been employed for more than 17 years. I received my bachelor’s degree in American studies from Penn State University and my master’s degree in library and information science from Drexel University. I am also a 2009 graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy for Leadership Studies (PALS). I have served on the PaLA Scholarship Committee, and most recently, I served on the Nominating Committee for the Northeast Chapter of PaLA. Currently, I am co-chairing the PALS Committee for the Northeast Chapter, and I am serving as the Membership Liaison for the CRD Board. As an academic librarian, I see the importance of being involved with PaLA, and I appreciate the opportunity that I have to serve on the CRD Board. CRD provides academic librarians from across the state the opportunity to collaborate on issues and challenges that face our libraries today. If elected, it would be an honor to continue serving PaLA and CRD.
Rebecca L. (Mugridge) MacIntosh, Head, Cataloging and Metadata Services, Penn State University Libraries
As a member of PaLA since I moved back to Pennsylvania, I have been involved with the College and Research Division in several capacities since 2003 when I first served on the Board. Most recently I completed a two-year term as Secretary. I am very interested in budgeting and have experience with finance through my membership on the ALA Association for Library Collections and Technical Services Budget and Finance Committee (2003-2007). I’ve also been very involved with the Juniata-Conemaugh Chapter, most recently serving as Chair in 2010, and the Technical Services Roundtable. I have been Head of Cataloging and Metadata Services at the Pennsylvania State University Libraries since 2000. Prior to coming to Penn State, I held positions at Yale University, Robert Morris University, and the University of Pittsburgh. I have a BA in history from Penn State, an MLS from the University of Pittsburgh, and an MBA from Robert Morris University. I am very enthusiastic about the College and Research Division activities, programs, and workshops, and would love an opportunity to further support that work through service as Treasurer.
The Technology Horizon
As librarians we are continually scanning the horizon to discover new concepts and technology for our spaces. Our focus in this area should not only be identifying the latest technology and programs but also creating sustainable partnerships with individuals and academic areas that can help us utilize new technology for the benefit of our students, faculty, staff, and the community. These collaborative efforts drive our provision of resources and affect our research and educational environment.
So, how do we identify new trends and assess their usefulness? Well, we read technology blogs, columns, reports, and subscribe to listservs. Here are just a few Web sites you might find helpful in your search for new technology trends.
2011 Horizon Report http://www.educause.edu/Resources/2011HorizonReport/223122
New York Times Technology Section http://www.nytimes.com/pages/technology/index.html
Gartner http://www.gartner.com/technology/home.jsp
What sites or resources do you use?
