[LM_NET] The obsolescence of librarians

[Toni Buzzeo <tonibuzzeo@TONIBUZZEO.COM>]

Like Paula, I have been trying mightily to keep myself out of this 
conversation as I prepare for my trip tomorrow to San Antonio for 
TLA.  But e-mails keep pouring in and they are all so interesting.

I want to respond briefly and say that I agree strongly with four of 
my colleagues here, Joyce, DougJ, Bob Hassett, and Mike Eisenberg 
(and so many others of you I can't keep up with as the replies pour 
in).  COULD we become obsolete?  No doubt we could.  Will we become 
so?  That depends, and it depends on what we do next.  Not NEXT as in 
next year but NEXT as in NOW.

Mike has laid out a plan for what to do NOW.  Doug has laid out a 
plan for what to do NOW.  Bob and Joyce have talked about the need 
for "retooling."  If, in fact, we keep in mind that we are educators 
who are in our schools for the specific purpose of increasing student 
learning and achievement (most particularly in the areas of 
information literacy and reading) then I believe that there is little 
chance that we will become obsolete.  Yes, we may need to retool as 
we gain new skills for delivery of instruction to that end.  Yes, we 
may need to re-envision our programs and our facilities to meet the 
needs of today's "consumers" (read Doug's post).  But I believe that 
with vision and commitment, we can continue to grow and change just 
as every educator has been asked to do since 2001, and furthermore, 
we can benefit the kids' learning and achievement as we do.

As Mike says, we cannot be about clerical tasks or even collection 
development tasks ahead of teaching and learning.  Nothing else 
matters as much when one is a Teacher-Librarian/Library Media 
Specialist.  We are certified and hired to teach.   If we think 
otherwise, then perhaps we are meant to join the ranks of the 
non-redheaded biological children in the library field :>

Toni


Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS <mailto:tonibuzzeo@tonibuzzeo.com>
Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year Emerita
Maine Association of School Libraries Board Member
Buxton, ME 04093
http://www.tonibuzzeo.com
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