David, As you describe the jobs a librarian does, yes, they are probably can
be done by low-level clerks and computers. But it will be a long time before
computers can do what I did today:
*thorough reference interviews with probing questions about what students
were really trying to learn about as they started on their 9th grade
English papers. I kept asking questions until they could articulate what
they really needed. Then we searched the OPAC together as I instructed them
how to reword their queries to eliminate irrelevant results. I reminded them
about using chapters in books that were more general than their own topics.
About using the index, and keywords in relevant portions to find more and
better information. I then helped them examine the databases and develop
appropriate queries, all the while encouraging them that this is NOT too
hard, but it does require thought and hard work.
*Had I "taught" all of these skills when they were in the middle grades?
Yes! But I taught it again today, and to at least 1/2 dozen kids who had not
been in this school then.
*I conferenced with a teacher about the video commerical for her class--what
worked and what didn't, and about using the output by her students to model
one with younger students.
*I proofread the book review wiki, and set up a new page for its expansion.
*Many kids stopped by for help with tricky citations for their Works Cited.
(Had we taught that in younger grades? Sure! Did they need to be reminded?
Sure!)
*I ordered one particular book for immediate delivery because it would be
"just right" for several of those aforementioned papers, and because I
could, it will be "just in time" too.
*I touched base with the Latin teacher about her students' progress on their
projects, and
*chatted with an 11th grader on his progress using a book I had found for
him at the public library. (Trust me, he NEVER would have found it on his
own).
*Then I attended and participated in our Curriculum Council meeting after
school. I have had major input there as we try to delineate a more
comprehensive research skills curriculum to integrate across the board.
Today was not an unusual day. I did do some repair cataloging, did
troubleshoot the circ system, and did some menial tasks like help kids at
the copier. But mostly I was engaged in professional tasks that could not be
done by computers or clerks. I think I'm OK for now.
Maureen S. Irwin, Library Director
Rye Country Day School
Rye, New York 10580
msirwin@optonline.net
Any book you have not read is a new book.
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