So sorry, I have been out of practice with using LM_NET and I didn't
catch (or forgot) that attachments don't come through. So, I am
resending my HIT From yesterday and have tried to paste in my chart.
Anyone who wishes me to send the original Excel attachment should feel
free to email me and I will do so immediately. The chart is first
(hopefully).
*Quick LM_NET Survey - Should/Do schools still purchase hard copy
encyclopedias?*
Elementary Middle School High School K-12 School MS/HS
YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO
5 1 8 0 7 2 8 1 6 2
Total "Yes" = 34
Total "No" = 6
Reasons given to discontinue purchasing were as follows:
1 I only have enough money to buy one version and I choose computerized
new and keep old ones. (TX MSHS)
2 We have a new all computerized school so we are from this year on
buying only computer encyclopedias, low level such as Groliers etc. (TX
elem)
Reasons given to continue purchasing were as follows:
1 Think about equitable access. For 2-5 it is clearer, faster, better.
2 Online versions are not as detailed with charts, graphs etc.
3 Online versions are too hard for my K-3.
4 I need controlled content for elementary, no surfing or losing track
of what they are doing.
5 Hard copy saves time and is easier to use for elementary and middle
school.
6 We have too many problems with our technology = speed, down time,
availability etc. (12 resp.)
7 Many of our students have no Internet at home / parents refuse to
sign an AUP (6 resp.)
8 There is still a need for teaching concepts of using multi volume
works. (most state standards still require it while colleges and public
libraries also need them to know) (7 resp.)
9 Students can check volumes out while our online encyclopedia is only
at school.
10 Our state requires us to have them and they must be less than 5 yrs.
old (MO, TN, NY, MI)
11 Students still need to know how to do research both ways.
12 Online versions get updated at the same time as new hc come out so
they aren't better.
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post a hit on the subject of
"Are we/Should we still buy hard copy encyclopedias for public schools?"
Attached is an Excel file with the responses condensed as best I could .
For those of you who asked, yes I/we were offended when told, "You will
not buy anymore hard copy encyclopedias, it is your job to teach proper
online searching." We both have MLS degrees and we also have education
degrees. We both love technology, that is not an issue. And we both
/do/ teach proper online searching. However, one's self-esteem does
take a big hit when you feel as if you are being told you don't know how
to do your job correctly. It is doubly hard when you are working in the
trenches with the kids and the teachers and you are sure you know what
the needs are.
For us all of the following are relevant, or we feel they are:
1. Our state tests still cover using multi volume works and our
colleges still have many reference works that are multi volume and
therefore do need students to know how to do this.
2. Public libraries still need patrons to have this skill also.
3. It is not a good use of time to have elementary or even middle
school kids login, wait, start a browser, wait, go to the school
library page, wait, find a database on the page, put in a search
term, wait (by now we could have had it at our fingertips)
4. We have Amish and several other families that either don't have
Internet at home (or electricity for that matter) or won't sign an
AUP. Our volumes get checked out a lot.
5. Hard copies are great for browsing and for finding charts and
graphs easier.
6. Our media centers have limited access to computers while a whole
class can use our several sets of encyclopedias.
7. As far as cost, we buy one new encyclopedia on a 5-year cycle.
Therefore, if I had purchased the encyclopedia I requisitioned for
$799 and the Encyclopedia of Animals for $164 for a total of $963,
I would not be looking to replace them until 2012. If required to
purchase only on line versions I will pay $1133 per year for those
two, therefore costing me $5665 by 2012 and that is if the cost
doesn't go up over the five years. My library budget will be
taking a pretty big hit here.
8. Our students can easily waste a lot of time being distracted and
surfing when it is easier to keep them on task with the hard
copies in the library.
I know this will change and someday we will have all kids with their own
laptops that stay logged in and work speedily, but until that day, we
need the hard copy versions also.
Thanks for your help with this survey. Sometimes you just want your
colleagues to reflect back to you that you are not just old or really
out of it. :-)
Respectfully,
Rebecca Dann
Adams Central MS/HS
222 W. Washington St.
Monroe, IN 46772
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