There is no doubt that the world is becoming more technologically advanced every day. You can buy food online-- raw or already prepared, ready-to-eat. Phone conversations can take place on the go with the advent of cell phones. You can go so far as to have synchronous video chats with friends from those very mobile devices. Nowadays, one can read the newspaper at the kitchen table without touching the black and white pages; just scroll down on a computer to get the latest information.
Burke saves the last chapter (18) of his technology companion to tell us some of the last news many of us want to hear--trends are showing that libraries are becoming increasingly virtual and far less physical. Esteemed librarians and prophets predicted, with great accuracy, the role that personal computers and other electronic devices as well as the Internet would play in people's lives. Since technology is such an important part of people's every day lives, library patrons, may not have to go farther than another room in their homes--wherever their computers are--to access much needed information. By the same token, with so much available to people online, libraries have been working hard to keep up with electronic resources.
Fortunately, there are some trends that point to the need of maintaining libraries. One thing to note is that people actually like having face-to-face interactions with librarians. It is easy to find information on the Internet. It is another thing to sort out what is useful and what can be dangerous. Librarians can help patrons evaluate what information is best. Librarians who are skilled in troubleshooting and installing computer equipment can also suggest hope for keeping actual buildings open.
Though physical and virtual access to libraries are both important, I know that many of my students, especially the ones in the primary grades, love that they can come to the library every week. They love looking at the books, reading them and being read to. Below, you will find the five laws of Library Science as theorized in 1931 by Indian mathematician and librarian, S. R. Ranganathan:
1. Books are for use.
2. Every reader his book.
3. Every book, its reader.
4. Save the time of the reader.
5. A library is a growing organism.
Whether in hand or online, really everyone should find their own (library and) book.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The (Wo)Man With A Plan
How fortunate I am to be the recipient of over $900 for my library! My school's PTO just presented me with funds that were generated at our school's "Movie Nights." John Burke's Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion offers a step-by-step guide to writing a technology plan. I will use that information to revisit the three-year plan that I wrote last year so I can get started securing the resources that the library desperately needs.
Burke talks about how important it is to take an inventory (Step 1) of what your library already has. Three years ago, a laptop, projector and projection screen were purchased. There are also about a dozen desktop computers and two CD/tape players in the library. In an ideal situation, I would purchase at least six new desktop computers to replace the slow-running ones that are currently housed there. I would also buy about a dozen iPads for my students to use in pairs. Even close to $1000 is not enough for those items, so purchasing high-interest, well-read books, a few video recorders and (little) kid-friendly furniture would serve a great and immediate need, (Step 2).
In Step 3, which I call "The Ops"--The Options & The Opportunities--we are to weigh and seize those two very things. In the past, our computer teacher purchased video cameras for classroom teachers to use upon request. I will talk with the current computer teacher and the school clerk (who puts through and oversees purchases) to determine the highest quality, most economical brands. Granted, technological equipment, like most things, if bought with school funds, has to be purchased through particular vendors. That could limit what I can buy. Often times, however, librarians upgrade their resources. I will contact my area Department of Libraries liaison to see if anyone is willing to donate gently used books, furniture or technological equipment.
It is important to follow step 4: look at the school and the library's priorities. With that in mind, the excitement about reading and attitudes about Library itself tends to increase dramatically whenever new materials of any sort are introduced. A new poster featuring Jeff Kinney's character "Greg" from his Diary of A Wimpy Kid collection or one showing the three Bone cousins from Jeff Smith's Bone series has already sparked my students' interest. I have actually ordered some of the books that they are requesting, and they are sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of their arrival. I plan to use the video cameras to record some of the 1st and 2nd grade students reading their favorite Mo Willems' books. What a great resource to share with their peers, teachers and parents! Levels of confidence and enthusiasm are sure to grow. My students in 3rd grade and below will be happy to sit in chairs made just for them.
Step 5 deals with funds, and I am fortunate to have even more now. Currently, there is slightly over $3200 in the Library fund that can be allocated for books and supplies. An additional $1200, received as payments for lost items, can be used to replace those materials. I can, however, spend the newly-received PTO funds anyway I see fit.
In the final step, number six, Burke suggests that we create a timeline to carry out our plan. For me, the time is now. I am so glad that I can begin to purchase materials right away. I have saved money over the years and with the recent additional monies, there is no need to hesitate. I just spent $855 to acquire 5 books a month over the next month as part of the Junior Library Guild's Book of the Month Club. Three hundred dollars ($300) has been spent on books (including almanacs, holiday books and popular series like Percy Jackson) from Scholastic Books Club. Some time this week, I will shop around for the video recorders; I have already priced the furniture. I know how important it is to proceed with caution and reason when making purchases of any kind. I also know how important revivals are, and my library definitely needs to be awakened and renewed!
Burke talks about how important it is to take an inventory (Step 1) of what your library already has. Three years ago, a laptop, projector and projection screen were purchased. There are also about a dozen desktop computers and two CD/tape players in the library. In an ideal situation, I would purchase at least six new desktop computers to replace the slow-running ones that are currently housed there. I would also buy about a dozen iPads for my students to use in pairs. Even close to $1000 is not enough for those items, so purchasing high-interest, well-read books, a few video recorders and (little) kid-friendly furniture would serve a great and immediate need, (Step 2).
In Step 3, which I call "The Ops"--The Options & The Opportunities--we are to weigh and seize those two very things. In the past, our computer teacher purchased video cameras for classroom teachers to use upon request. I will talk with the current computer teacher and the school clerk (who puts through and oversees purchases) to determine the highest quality, most economical brands. Granted, technological equipment, like most things, if bought with school funds, has to be purchased through particular vendors. That could limit what I can buy. Often times, however, librarians upgrade their resources. I will contact my area Department of Libraries liaison to see if anyone is willing to donate gently used books, furniture or technological equipment.
It is important to follow step 4: look at the school and the library's priorities. With that in mind, the excitement about reading and attitudes about Library itself tends to increase dramatically whenever new materials of any sort are introduced. A new poster featuring Jeff Kinney's character "Greg" from his Diary of A Wimpy Kid collection or one showing the three Bone cousins from Jeff Smith's Bone series has already sparked my students' interest. I have actually ordered some of the books that they are requesting, and they are sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of their arrival. I plan to use the video cameras to record some of the 1st and 2nd grade students reading their favorite Mo Willems' books. What a great resource to share with their peers, teachers and parents! Levels of confidence and enthusiasm are sure to grow. My students in 3rd grade and below will be happy to sit in chairs made just for them.
Step 5 deals with funds, and I am fortunate to have even more now. Currently, there is slightly over $3200 in the Library fund that can be allocated for books and supplies. An additional $1200, received as payments for lost items, can be used to replace those materials. I can, however, spend the newly-received PTO funds anyway I see fit.
In the final step, number six, Burke suggests that we create a timeline to carry out our plan. For me, the time is now. I am so glad that I can begin to purchase materials right away. I have saved money over the years and with the recent additional monies, there is no need to hesitate. I just spent $855 to acquire 5 books a month over the next month as part of the Junior Library Guild's Book of the Month Club. Three hundred dollars ($300) has been spent on books (including almanacs, holiday books and popular series like Percy Jackson) from Scholastic Books Club. Some time this week, I will shop around for the video recorders; I have already priced the furniture. I know how important it is to proceed with caution and reason when making purchases of any kind. I also know how important revivals are, and my library definitely needs to be awakened and renewed!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
A Perfect Fit: Ergonomics and the Environment
We would not dream of preparing a four course dinner and then inviting our friends to eat with us seconds before the last dish is pulled from the oven. Showing up at the airport with no luggage, no destination in mind and no money in your pocket would not be a good idea, either. It is obvious that planning has to take place for the above experiences to work out for the best. By the same token, learning how to properly use the technologies that we provide in our libraries is necessary to have the most positive experiences.
An A-to-Z, top-to-bottom type of inspection of the library should be made before any (substantial) electronic equipment is introduced. A checklist would serve as a guide to make sure all things can be used according to plan. Make a note of what else, or “elce”, would be needed by asking similar questions below:
Electricity—Is there enough electrical power in the school to support X number of computers, televisions, etc. Are there enough outlets where the equipment will be stationed?
Location—Where will this equipment be placed? What room? Where in the room?
Climate—Is there proper heating, cooling and ventilation to assure the proper functioning of the equipment?
Extras—What additional resources are needed to make sure the main products serve their intended purposes—cables, cords, furniture, lighting?
Unfortunately, no gaming takes place in my school’s library. We do have two basketball teams and a soccer team. The dance squad might make its return this year. With those things in mind, I am imagining how much fun it would be to play Wii Sports or get the Just Dance for Wii. We have the space and the huge screen. Now, I just need the money for the game console!
Putting It Back Together When Things Fall Apart, or Troubleshooting
Because I am “just the librarian”, I am often not trusted to troubleshoot certain problems in the library. One time, I was even told not to change an ink cartridge in the printer. The computer teacher had to do it. I would have known what to do, but I decided not to argue my case. That time.
What I can do, to better equip myself and to prove that librarians are capable of troubleshooting, or solving problems with computer equipment, software and other devices, is to follow some of Burke’s advice in Chapter 15 of his basic technology guide. The most important thing that I can have in any troubleshooting situation is knowledge. If I learn what is wrong and find ways to make things right, I can help avoid future problems. Another excellent resource, as seen throughout this blog, is the Internet. There is a plethora of websites designed specifically for tech support. I have no shame in asking an already-established expert while I am one in the making. Building a good relationship with the computer teacher at my school is, by far, another great idea. Together, she and I can create an even better academic library media program while simultaneously making sure that the equipment that we need to teach the information runs smoothly.
Dell computer users can receive online chat support that is covered by their warranty at https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/chat/hardware_chat?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs.
Safety In Cyberspace: Protecting Our Equipment and Ourselves From Spam and Other Uninvited Mess(ages)
Fortunately, the majority of my students return their books on time and in good condition. When they lose books, 95% of the time, their parents are willing to pay for the lost items. Having books stolen from my library is of little cause for concern. The theft of more costly items over the past six months has, however, made us hypervigilant.
There was a lock on my laptop that got stolen from the library; the iPads that were taken were supposedly locked in a classroom closet. These separate incidents, especially the latter, have made my school realize that we need to more carefully monitor the in-house use of electronic equipment. In addition, under no circumstances are computers or similar devices loaned to children or their families.
I have begun pricing security strips and sensors that can be placed in books, in areas in the library and in each classroom where certain portable equipment is being used. If Chicago Public Schools pays for or subsidizes the cost of it, it is possible that our school can acquire RFID, or radio frequency identification, services which coupled with the strips, will allow us to identify items that are not allowed to leave the school or the type of items that can go. It will not be a fail-proof system, but it could aid in maintaining and/or preserving library collections.
If taking physical equipment is not bad enough, imagine dealing with having your password, credit card number or other sensitive information stolen. Antivirus software is crucial to Internet safety when working online. Spyware, malicious software that is installed on computers without the person’s or organization's knowledge, can unwittingly collect or destroy personal or institutional information causing sudden ruin if not substantial hardship. For the most part, CPS has been really good with making sure its faculty, staff and students are protected online. Now, it is up to us to take constant measures to create and maintain a physical and virtual security system.
Each One Teach One: How Library Staff Learn and Teach
If the Internet can be used to post videos, pick up a new hobby or participate in a three-way, international video chat, surely it should be used to learn in the library. Librarians can participate in online, or distance learning, or they can instruct their patrons on how to do so. The first time I experienced asynchronous learning was at Chicago State University
My students love seeing pictures of their favorite authors. A popular website, www.readingrockets.org, offers actual videos of R.L.Stine, Patricia Polacco and others which allow us to welcome our beloved writers into our library on a regular basis. I remember how excited I was two winters ago when my Children’s Literature professor called Tortilla Sun author Jennifer Cervantes via Skype. How fortunate we were to share with her how we felt about her award-winning book. This lucky number 13 chapter in John Burke’s technology guide has reminded of that great experience, one that my laptop, LCD projector, screen and Skype account will help me to relive with my students.
Library 2.0: Libraries At Your Service
Shopping online for a new black dress or the copy of the first book in a popular trilogy comes as second nature to many of us. We do not hesitate to buy concert tickets online, but how many of us have taken advantage of online resources provided by public and university libraries? In Chapter 12 of the Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion, we learn of the noteworthy Library 2.0 tools that will help reaffirm the need to create and maintain libraries and become the impetus to take full advantage of the free resources they provide.
I have used Chicago Public Libraries' online catalog to perform a myriad of tasks. Aside from finding out whether my favorite books were available and if so, where, I have also put my own book on hold. (I felt proud of myself!) Keeping abreast of upcoming children's programs in the libraries is a great way for my students to maintain a home-school-library connection. The Ask A Librarian feature on the Chicago State University Library website is a hidden treasure. It is reassuring to know that there are very knowledgeable “live” people who are able to help me with research questions.
Last year, I began creating monthly newsletters to keep my students aware of the various literary genres associated with our reading program, ROBERTO—Read Or Be Read To. I sent a letter to faculty and staff, suggesting ways that we can work together for our students’ success. The blog that I am creating for this course is actually being followed by several co-workers and other friends who are not in the education profession. My desire that these small gestures will garner library-related issues the respect and support that it deserves.
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