Libraries reinvented: No.1 of the top 10 list

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Last week a headline in eSchool News caught my eye – Top 10 of 2014, No 1: Libraries reinvented.  I tend to ignore social media notifications citing the Top 5, 10, 20 or 120 of the best tips, tools and everything you can imagine, but this one was a pleasant surprise worth investigating as it said:

Each year, the eSchool News editors compile 10 of the most influential ed-tech developments and examine how those topics dominated K–12 ed-tech conversations.  No. 1 on our list for 2014 is the new role of school libraries.

School libraries have evolved from quiet places to read books into bustling centers [sic] of collaboration, learning, and research. School librarians are emerging as leaders as they help teachers learn valuable technology integration skills. They also teach students how to research and evaluate information.

Many of us associated with school libraries have been focussing on the evolving role of school library personnel, and the function of the library within the school community for some time.  It’s interesting to note that eSchool News has made this selection because the ‘new role of school libraries’ has dominated K–12 ed-tech conversations during 2014.  This is good news. Mentioned in the post are two articles:

Here in Australia, potential and actual change in school libraries has been documented in School Library Assoc of Victoria (SLAV) publications, and those of other relevant organisations. Examples of articles in SLAV’s Synergy journal  (all but most recent edition is open source) which support the new model of school library and have guided the work of many of us in school libraries are:

I have to agree with Doug Johnson in his commentary of the eSchool news article however when he says, ‘Be warned – this phoenix will not be the same-old, same-old bird of the past, but a new creation, technology-infused, best practices-drive, with a new kind of librarian in the lead.’

School libraries are a vital resource in the life of a student – if they’ve moved into the 21st century.  They are exciting places of instruction, support and learning that students can call their own.   They are both physical and digital environments which are part of the life of the school through a range of learning and recreational activities.   Most importantly, they are lead by progressive, open minded individuals with a collaborative attitude and the courage to change.

What’s happening in your school library? Be a library leader today!  It may sound cliche but this truly is a time for school libraries to show a new face on the future but be warned…. it’s not the ‘same-old bird’.

2 thoughts on “Libraries reinvented: No.1 of the top 10 list

  1. To let school staff know of the great services the library offers, we (library staff) recently created a flyer to put in all staff pigeon holes, reminding them of things like the library website, where there are great online resources, a review blog, community links, and more. We also reminded staff that we can team-teach with them, show them and the students ICT that can be used in learning, and that we will create resource boxes that can be taken to class. Especially for new staff, we included on the flyer the spaces of the library that can be booked for classes. We also sent an email to all staff with the same information, in case they overlooked the flyer :). As library staff, sometimes we get passionate about what the library offers, and promote it in the physical and virtual library spaces, but forget that many staff don’t actually visit these spaces often (if at all). Hopefully the flyer and email got their attention and they are now more aware and confident in using our services.

  2. This is a great initiative as teaching staff are time poor and often don’t realise the level of support that can be provided by library staff, paritcularly in senior levels. Time to physically visit the library during a teaching day can be minimal so online access and communication is vital. Well done for your initiative !

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