Libraries as Social Hubs

Writing from the standpoint of a health professions campus librarian, Harris points out that “—faculty, staff, and students are frequently focused on their schools or programs rather than on the greater campus community,” on her campus. Having personally attended a science and medical school myself, I came across the same isolation from any sort of community that existed because faculty and students were engrossed in academics – especially as a Literature and Writing student ;) I stood out quite a bit.

Harris surmises, “It is not always clear who is ultimately responsible for introducing and championing new technologies, supporting relevant or topical campus or community cultural activities, or even providing education in, and support for, scholarly communication activities that appeal to the entire community. This kind of outreach can fall within the philosophical, educational, and leadership mission of librarians.” I thought this quote was especially important because the responsibility has yet to be claimed by any agency, but there do exist specific clubs that welcome people who belong, but for a commuter like me, I needed an environment that was welcoming and convenient while I had the time to be on campus. So Harris came up with a plan to reach out to students: take the time to plan, develop a promotion plan, find partners, and have fun.

Sure, it seems pretty simple and like an easy recipe to follow, but when the duty doesn’t fall on the library to create this, no one will take the time to dedicate attention to the void that seems natural.

Harris, R., Mayo, A., Prince, J. D., & Joan, M. (2013). Creating shared campus experiences: the library as culture club. Journal Of The Medical Library Association, 101(4), 254-256. doi:10.3163/1536 -5050.101.4.005

Libraries in the Digital Age

One of my biggest aspirations is to some day work in an academic/research library in a role that allows me to work directly with students and aid in research methodology. This subject is personally very important to me because of the struggle I had with resource knowledge when I began college. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t know the difference between lower- and upper-division, let alone that the library was chalk-full of research databases or how to use them. In her article “Collaborations Between Librarians and Faculty in a Digital Age” Campbell quotes “Students need to be taught how to use research tools so they can turn information into knowledge.” Students are going to Google and being overwhelmed with the amount of information they receive and unaware as to how reliable or relative it is – they are settling for mediocre information to create ideas.

Campbell writes about the idea of “librarians as co-teachers,” where librarians work with teachers to create research techniques that specifically apply to their class. As an intern at Palomar College Library, I have been able to see instruction being taught first-hand by the faculty-librarians. The most basic of ideas like searching with effective keywords are being taught to students, many for the first time. Another new concept that is being introduced to students is the wide variety of research databases the library provides to students – for free! (Still blows me away that I had no idea about these while in college.)

Having suffered from my own ignorance while in college, I hope to one day have an influence in creating resources and introducing to as many students as possible, maybe in a similar situation, who could really use the help.

Campbell, M. (2010). Collaborations Between Librarians and Faculty in a Digital Age. Education Digest, 75(6), 30-33.

Libraries and the digital divide

Before doing the research on this topic I had no idea what the "digital divide" was. Upon doing my research I can understand the important role Libraries have on that. With technology based learned jumping higher each year it is more important now more than ever to be sure everyone has access to the internet, especially for young children. 

According to a July 2014 article posted to the online New York Times -An astonishing one-third of Americans don't subscribe to internet at home. Why? Because of the cost. Many of these people are on fixed incomes and struggle to provide. Libraries don't have to provide these services, but they see the need and they are struggling to keep up.

With each passing year the curriculum for schools is going more and more digital. At my son's school for instance, the 3rd-5th graders are using Google docs, power point, and chrome books. These things are all done on digital devices that some families can not provide at home. It is disheartening to think that kids will struggle in school because their family couldn't provide these. This reason, to me, is why it is SO important that we try harder and harder each and every year to bridge that "divide"

Here is a great Info-graphic I found online describing how likely people were to use different public library services.

These are all online bases library resources and its obvious people want and will use them at their library showing us that there is a need for libraries and technology!

In the video provided below you see Mr. Microsoft himself, Bill Gates talking about the "digital divide" and how he is hoping to help close it. Keep in mind, this video is from 2003 but the demand for access to these technologies is growing more with each passing year. 

http://highered.nbclearn.com.prozy.palomar.edu/portal/site/HigherEd/browse?cuecard=2066

Reference-

New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/27/do-we-still-need-libraries/libraries-struggle-to-close-the-digital-divide

Video:

http://highered.nbclearn.com.prozy.palomar.edu/portal/site/HigherEd/browse?cuecard=2066

Info-graphic: 

http://floatlearning.com/2013/11/bookless-library-bibliotech-aims-to-help-bridge-digital-divide/

Libraries as social hubs

   The social aspect of the library is just as important as the technology. In this I mean libraries can be a great place to hang out. Let me repeat that Libraries are a great place to hang out. I know when you think of a library you think quiet, boring, homework, and tons of old books. That just simply isn't true. 

Many libraries now-a-days are rethinking the library due to the digital demand. Before the libraries were stocked with technology, I used to go to the library after school to just hang out. Was it fun? No, but my friends were there and I wanted to socialize. I can not even count how many times we were kicked out. Which shows that there really was a need of social space for people in the library. Not just for kids, but for the community we needed places to just meet and talk to friends that was quiet and serene. Now as a mother I visit the library frequently to socialize. I take my son to the various children's programs offered and we go to have play dates after school. 

So what makes a library a Social hub? Space. You need to provide space for every important aspect of the library. That means books, technology, programs, and socialization. I found this video below to be very interesting. The man in the video (Joshua Prince-Ramus) is an architect and he describes an interesting view on how he designed the Seattle library as a social hub.

The Point is, libraries can be a great space to do other things than read. The Seattle library for instance has a multi-layer design to make each space unique and make it a fun place to meet with friends or have a business meeting. Yet it still has the quiet spaces within to read a book, browse the internet, and do your homework making it a great apace for everyone within the community. 

The DEMISE of school libraries

 

 

The Demise of School Libraries

The city of San Diego school libraries are facing cuts with hours, budget, and staff  every day.  Our local neighborhood school library is not even open this school year. The library I do my volunteer work is only open 3 days a week. The demise of our libraries needs to stop for our student’s sake.  Libraries play and important role in our children’s lives. Libraries open a world for children to explore, learn, and be creative  By having a library at our children’s schools it gives them an opportunity to have access to resources. Students need libraries to do their research papers, and to get books to read. Sometimes the school library is the only time a child can get a book. Libraries should take a step back and examine what has been done and what needs to change.

Libraries need to reevaluate what they have to offer and how they can support Common Core and teachers. Through their displays they can set up science, history, counting books, and different levels of reading books. Displays show the children the kinds of books they have to offer and support the teacher’s curriculum. “The librarian’s stance needs to be: “I care about our students and the library services they receive. I believe parents as taxpayers have a right to know and should weigh in on decisions that are being made about the education their kids receive.”  (Modern Language Assoc.)

The school librarians can work with the community getting them involved for support like the PTA and parents.  Volunteers who come to help in the library can talk to other parents about how important the library is and how they are talking about shutting down the library. The word of mouth is a powerful tool. If we do not take action now we will be losing a lot more school libraries and children will lose opportunities to have access to books.

 

Works Cited

KACHEL, DEBRA E. "Proactive Strategies for Maintaining School Library Programs, Part 1." School Library Monthly 31.2 (2014): 29-31. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.

KACHEL, DEBRA E. "Reactive Strategies for Maintaining School Library Programs, Part 2." School Library Monthly 31.3 (2014): 29-31. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.

Libraries in the Digital Age

           The digital age has affected libraries in different ways but for those who were ready it gave them just the boost they needed to stay ahead of the game and continue to do their intended job of giving communities a place to come together and offering them information in the best way possible. Granted some libraries may be having difficulty changing with the digital age but those who were ready they have been able to give their patrons just what they are looking for which in many cases is access to digital devices and materials. So what exactly does it take to make a library a success in this digital age? At the library I frequent you can walk in and sign up to use one the computers in their computer room, or if you bring your own personal device you can sign up using their free Wi-Fi and then go online to read any e-materials from their online catalog, or if you are a parent your children can play games on the computers that are in the children's area.

              
           Libraries across the nation are changing and adapting to fit their communities needs and some of the key elements to their success come down to providing materials and equipment that fit with the digital world of the 21^st century and appeal to the greatest needs which at this time seems to be e-materials and access to the Internet. (Brindley 9) Renting e-books and materials is one of the most convenient digital enhancements that libraries have implemented watch this video to find out more: E-books. Libraries of the future are being redefined and this library in San Antonio, Texas has completely redefined the idea of library by becoming a completely digital library which means there are no physical books at the library and for those who have no digital equipment there are e-readers which can be checked out and borrowed just like they would a book. 

  

Here is an interesting video about the functions of libraries in the past and libraries in the future. 

References

Brindley, D. J. (2009). Challenges for great libraries in the age of the digital native. Information Services & Use, 29(1), 3-12. doi:10.3233/ISU-2009-0594

Haber, S. (2011, March 01). The changing role of libraries in the digital age. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-haber/the-changing-role-of-libr_b_803722.html

Johnson, D. (Director). (2010, March 25). Libraries past - libraries future [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-4ZF0x5ic

Shamlian, J. (Reporter), & Holt, L. (Anchor). (2013, September 14). Check Out the Library of the Future. [Television series episode]. NBC Nightly News. Retrieved from https://highered.nbclearn.com.prozy.palomar.edu/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=66814

Tibbles, K. (Reporter), & Seigenthaler, J. (Anchor). (2004, February 19). Online Libraries. [Television series episode]. NBC Nightly News. Retrieved from https://highered.nbclearn.com.prozy.palomar.edu/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=2060

 

 Demise of School Libraries

 

          As a mother I think about the benefit of school libraries often and I envision them as kind of being the heart of a school as it is a place where students can get away from everything to study or relax. I especially think it is important the older they get since their studies comprise of assignments that require the use of books that they may not want to purchase or that maybe your family can't afford to purchase. Children also benefit from what a librarian can give them which is a source that can direct and help them when they are researching for a project or just looking for a book to read. Sadly, from what my colleagues and friends who work in the school system say and from what I have read in articles like the one above the reality is that because of budget cuts or lack of funding schools are either cutting library programs entirely from their schools or drastically cutting their staff to being only one or maybe two library technicians and librarians working to keep the program going.
 
           Now you may wonder if there was funding to help stop the demise of school libraries how is the library department a benefit or help to the children and teens attending the school? Firstly, the librarian's job is to understand literature and to understand technology so combine those two together and the librarian can not only help the teachers in the classroom plan curriculums but they can help them research and find the best products and curriculums out there. (Freeman 2) Librarians also know how to cite resources that middle and high school students will use for projects or assignments and they have the skills to teach them how to use these skills which is something they will need all the way into college and beyond. (Freeman 2) The librarian at my daugther's school checked books out and in but she also was constantly updating our books and textbooks to fit the current school standards, she planned weekly storytimes for the children and during those times she showed them that reading can be fun and can open a whole new world for them, but I think the greatest benefit she had was being to help guide me in finding just the right books for my daugther's reading level and interest. In the end the mindset and idea of what the school library and the librarian do or can do for the school needs to change as their jobs are no longer the same as they used to be they can be an assest to any school because they have more to offer then just checking out and checking in books for the children to read.

Watch this video "School Libraries Matter" to understand why school libraries need to be saved.

References

Capstone Publisher. (2014, October 22). School libraries matter: The changing role of the school librarian. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eilZJp3_h8

Freeman, J. (2014). Beyond the stacks: how librarians support students and schools. American Educator, 38(4), 32+. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/AcademicJournalsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Journals&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA395165976&source=Bookmark&u=cclc_palomar&jsid=a2d78d7df09c626f4c7d7cf469eb7988

Santos, F. (2011, June 24). In lean times, schools squeeze out librarians. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com.prozy.palomar.edu/2011/06/25/nyregion/schools-eliminating-librarians-as-budgets-shrink.html?_r=0