Samantha Ragasa

LEM 512

School Library Changes

The school library has changed over the

years, but the importance of it has not.

Discussion Questions

What do you think has been the biggest

change in the school library?

How can the school library stay on top of

these changes?

What is the biggest challenge school

libraries face with implementing these

new changes?

Today’s School Librarian

A school’s librarian today must deal with

new challenges:

Technology changes

Serving a variety of students

○ Special needs

○ Home school students

○ Preschool programs in public schools

Standardized testing

More collaboration between teachers

Yesterday’s School

Librarian A school librarian was once only that –

the school librarian.

There was no collaboration between the

school library and the classroom

teachers.

Students went to the library without

direction from their classroom teachers.

Discussion Questions

Should school librarians collaborate with

fellow teachers?

How can this collaboration be achieved?

How is this collaboration beneficial to

students?

Today’s School Librarian

Today a school librarian and the school’s

teachers collaborate to ensure the best

learning for the students.

A school librarian must take a leadership

role in the direction of educational

design.

A school librarian should show teachers

the advantages of collaboration between

the school library and the classroom

instruction.

Teacher and Librarian

Collaboration Allows for better individualized

instruction for students.

Makes the school library more relevant

for students.

Allows students to be exposed to many

materials, especially technology

materials.

Today’s School Library

Technology has changed the school

library dramatically.

The Internet and the personal computer

have changed the shape of the school

library.

Students have access to more

information from their home computers.

Discussion Questions

In your community setting, does the

public library and the school library

collaborate together?

Do you think it would be beneficial for

students if they did collaborate? Why or

why not?

What can public librarians and school

librarians do to better collaborate?

Collaboration with the school library

program and the city public libraries can

add a lot to a students’ education.

Public libraries and school libraries

should be able to collaborate easily

because they serve the same group of

students.

Public Libraries and School

Libraries

The librarian at the public library should

collaborate with the school and the

instruction going on.

Allows students to access materials

when the school has closed, and the

public library to better assist them with

their needs.

Public Libraries and School

Libraries

Libraries for the school and the town can

come together to create project ideas for

added student learning.

Public libraries can provide school

homework help after school has closed.

Public libraries could get high school

student volunteers to help younger

students.

Public Libraries and School

Libraries

New Technology

A school’s librarian today must deal with

the new technology changes.

Offers students multiple ways to access

information, most importantly

technology.

Students need to be exposed to the new

technology changes in order to be ready

for years after school.

Summary In summary, the school library’s landscape

has changed over the years, but the

significance has not gone away. As

librarians, we should collaborate with other

teachers and fellow public librarians to

ensure the best learning for our students. Resources:

http://youthserviceslibrarianship.wikispaces.com/School+Library+and+Public+

Library+Collaboration

http://www.slideshare.net/kcorstel/successful-schoolpublic-library-collaboration

The School Library Media Manager (2nd Edition) by Blanche Woods (2008).

Contact: Samantha Ragasa: smragasa@me.com