#15 Week 6 Thoughts about Library 2.0

Taking this course has certainly stimulated my thinking about the important role the library plays in the school culture, and that the role is changing right before our eyes. Libraries in reality are only a place. This idea was just brought home to me by our sixth grade science teacher. She and I are collaborating this year for the very first time, and have had some stimulating conversations. She feels we should change the name from library to a more comprehensive term so that students and parents will begin to understand the importance that using information, technology, literacy skills, reading and curriculum intergration are the focus. She feels a library is so much more than just a place. I am beginning to see her point more and more. As our digital natives move more and more into this Web 2.0 world, what they need from the library is a dedicated reliable source of help and information that will respond to their needs. Students need to be taught concepts concerning searching, reliable sources, ethical and respectful behaviors, and the librarian can do that. The library itself will need to be a welcoming place where technologies, books and areas for social networking are available. I guess the future library will no longer look and be a place just to house books, as much as it will be a place to work, socialize, network and use many different forms of technology to enhance and support student learning. In taking this course, I have many different ideas and thoughts coming together in my mind. I am not sure exactly where they are leading just yet, but I see many needed connections to the curriculum and student learning finally coming together. If there was ever a time when the library can make an impact it will certainly be now. Libraries need to be open to learning from students and their needs, and then helping the teachers and administration meet those needs. It will require a new vision, but one that will mesh nicely with a guaranteed and viable curriculum for all. It means being open to new possiblities, and how they can link to both the curriculum and student learning. It can be mind boggling, but it will also be a new adventure. If we can reach students now, they will come to see the value of what libraries can offer them.
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