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School Libraries:

Past and Present

Samantha Ragasa

LEM 511

Module 1

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S The school library has changed over the years, but the

importance of it has not.

S The technology in our lives has changed dramatically,

and our libraries should be on top of that change.

S Think about a library in 1969. What did

it have? Why did people go there?

School Libraries:

Past and Present

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S A library in 1969 had books, magazines, and some other

types of print media. It also might have an audiovisual

collection with films, film strips, and records.

S Everything was typed on a typewriter and a card catalog

was used to find the books needed.

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S Students used a school library in 1969 a

lot differently than they do today. What

did students need from a librarian in

1969?

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S Students in 1969 needed a school librarian to help them find

the materials for their research.

S The materials they might use for research included books,

magazine articles (in which they had to search through

magazine periodicals to find), and listening or watching

some of the audiovisual collection.

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S Think of libraries today. What has

contributed the biggest change to the

library scene?

S Technology has changed the library.

S It started in the 1970s with the introduction of the security

system. This helped prevent stolen books and saved the

library lots of money.

S In the 1980s, libraries began using circulation systems.

School Libraries:

Past and Present

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S Today the library has changed dramatically since 1969. The

introduction of the Internet and the personal computer has

changed the shape of the library.

S So much information today is available to students that is

not found on a bookshelf.

S With personal computers in every home, students can now

retrieve information at home.

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S In today’s technological world, where do

school libraries fit in? What can they still

do for a student who has a personal

computer at home?

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S A school library must have the latest in technology.

S A school librarian must have the technology leadership to

help students use this technology correctly to find what they

need.

S If a school library does not have these things, the library

become irrelevant for students and they will not use it.

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S School libraries must have the resources available to answer

the what?, how?, and who? for students.

S Students may have a personal computer or even an iPad at

home, but do they know how to use them to correctly find

the research they need?

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S Today’s school setting is based on college and career

readiness.

S The school library plays a significant part to getting students

ready for college and careers.

S Classroom teachers and the school librarian should work

together to help students achieve college and career

readiness.

School Libraries:

Past and Present

S Teachers, let’s work together to reach out to the students and

get them more involved and interested in learning.

S Let’s be open to integrating Web 2.0 tools. These are things

social networking applications, such Twitter, Blogs, Wikis,

etc.

S How could you integrate Web 2.0 tools into your

curriculum to reach your students?

Summary

S In summary, the school library’s landscape has changed over the years, but the significance has not gone away. Let us as a faculty of this school work together to ensure students come to the library and learn college and career readiness.

S Resources: Technology for the School Librarian: Theory and Practice by William O. Scheeren (2010).

S Contact me for questions or comments: Samantha Ragasa, smragasa@me.com