Here is an excerpt from my masters paper that speaks to this issue, Doug I even
have a quote in there from you from a class I took from you at Mankato.
With respect to the role of a school media specialist, he or she must assume a
leadership position in order to be part of the solution to the challenges posed by
the changes resulting from this federal legislation. The role of media specialist
changes as fast as the technology they teach. As Doug Johnson (2001) appropriately
stated “the job of Media Specialist is not for people who like quiet places to
isolate and read, it is for people who adapt well to change.”
In the face of political “common sense” fixes to the American Educational
System such as the 65% solution, schools are being forced to eliminate unessential
staff from their budgets. The 65% solution demands that nearly 2/3 of school
funding go directly to the classroom. This leaves 35% for schools to use to cover
costs including administration, busing, and infrastructure repairs. Being
proactive and recognizing these political realities reinvigorates the role of the
media specialist in order to remain seen as a necessary faculty member of a school.
Due to conditions created by entrenched bureaucracies within most public education
systems some media specialists will refuse to help their school meet new mandated
changes. This does not serve our profession well, and often has negative
implications for a media program long after that person has left the district. It
is important for a media specialist to understand the constantly evolving role of
the school media specialist before entering this field.
Jeremy Peterson
Lakeside Intermediate School Media Specialist
Chisago Lakes School District
Chisago City, MN 55013
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications on behalf of dougj
Sent: Tue 4/10/2007 3:08 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re School Librarians Obsolete
Hi folks,
Worrying and thinking about school librarian obsolescence has engaged me for
many years. This is from the article "Are Libraries (and Librarians) Heading
Toward Extinction?" Teacher-Librarian, Dec 2003
http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/extinct.html
___________
There are a great number of physical businesses and institutions that might
have felt just as threatened by the public¹s increased use of the Internet:
book stores, travel agents, public libraries, and banks, just to name a few.
Even virtual schools are now taking the place of brick and mortar buildings
for many students. Just how are the savvier among these institutions
escaping being replaced by the Internet?
1. By providing a physical comfort that the Internet does not.
I still buy books and spend time at our local Barnes & Noble bookstore
because I like having coffee there, sitting in the comfy chairs, and
handling physical books. I still buy more books there than I do online.
2. By providing expertise an Internet user may not have.
My travel agent knows more about vacation destinations than I do - or am
willing to take the time to research and read about on the Internet. She can
find better fares under some circumstances than I am able to. And she has
the time to the time to look for ³deals² that I don¹t have.
3. By providing "high touch" experiences to offset the "high tech"
environments.
John Naisbitt in his early '80's book Megatrends that predicted that the
more people use isolating technologies, the greater they will need avenues
for face-to-face human interaction and socialization. This is why I still
like going to the public library to read the paper sometimes instead of
reading it online- I see and meet people there. Internet usage is lonely -
even for the chronic chatters, I'm guessing.
4. By recognizing and using the Internet to compliment one's mission.
I still value my bank down on Hickory Street even though I check my
miserable account balances online, have my paltry paycheck direct deposited,
visit impersonal instant tellers to get cash, and pay my horrendous bills
electronically. I don't go in the physical building much anymore, but I use
their banking services more than ever. I don't see the Internet displacing
Wells-Fargo anytime soon.
Let's take just these four ways in which our physical existence may be
superior to or enhanced by the virtual experience and think about how we in
school libraries can capitalize on these qualities rather than try to
compete head-to-head with the Internet. (Darwin called this adaptation and
recognized successful species were good at it.) (continued...)
___________
I have absolutely no doubt at all that many individual librarians will
become obsolete because they can't change, adapt, grow - or simply prefer
not to. But the profession of librarian itself won't become obsolete - but
very, very different.
Oh, see the quote in my signature line. Sorta apt.
All the very best,
Doug
Doug Johnson
Director of Media and Technology
Mankato Area Public Schools
Box 8713, 1351 S Riverfront Dr.
Mankato MN 56001-8714
Phone: 507-387-7698 x 473
E-mail: dougj@doug-johnson.com
Web: www.doug-johnson.com
Blue Skunk Blog: http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/
Become the thing that replaces you. - Kathy Sierra
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