Before I begin this post (or have I already started????) I feel that this course has brought to my attention just how out of date school libraries are. I have spent the better part of 15 of the last 18 years of my life studying (Lyn please don’t go by my CSU grades….I used to be a really good student until my two recent lobotomies one that occurred 4 years ago and the other took place last year!!!) and have seen academic libraries move from stale uninviting spaces where you would run in get what you need and get the hell out of dodge to ones that are a delight to be in….the concept of letting me eat my stash of chocolate and drink my chai latte in a library has been revolutionary and I am sure for some old school librarians coronary inducing!!!! But it is time that school libraries also got with program and joined the 21st century. I know the concept of eating in the school library is enough to send even the most modern of school librarians heading for the Angina medication, so I suggest baby steps…smile!!!
Once the acceptance of libraries as being a fun, engaging and interactive environment has been established I would encourage teacher-librarians to then use social media to promote their services and let the students know that the place isn’t being run by old cranky women who have no sense of humour (not my words, but those of a student of mine when I informed that I as going to become a librarian!) but by a person who understands how the current generation learn and interact with their immediate environment. And now for my ‘real’ post!
OLJ Entry:
The following is based upon a blog post the A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries written by Anna Laura Brown on her blog: http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com. She outlines 26 reasons, strategies and ideas for libraries when introducing social media.
This advice is for a secondary school library.
B- Blog
The library would be able to create a blog that is then hosted on the school’s website and intranet. This could serve not only as way of promoting the school as being actively engaged with the i-generation but demonstrate how important the library is to the school community (after all it is very nice to have six ovals, but unfortunately they don’t get you into university- well not is Australia anyway!). The blog could be used to inform both staff and students of the services available, new books, new videos available on clickview as well as any up coming events. I am quite positive that 99% of the teaching staff at most schools have no idea how to best use the resources available in the school library to enhance their teaching. The blog is a perfect ay to get the message out there about how wonderful libraries are but importantly that they are with the times! (again it is that PR issue libraries and librarians have!)
C-Content
School libraries would benefit from being more actively engaged with the curriculum. This of course is a two way street - so people climb down off the horse!!!!!! I would like to see school librarians liaise with the teaching staff (similar to subject librarians in academic settings) to get advice on what the needs of the teachers are with respect to resources and services. Often the Head Librarian will attend meetings with other Heads of Departments to find out what the curriculum trends are but very rarely do they sit down with the teachers and find out what their information needs are and how the library can provide relevant content. Also teachers need to see the library as a resource, this sadly is often not the case, and again I jump on my soap box about the perception of libraries and librarians (it is not very positive out there). Teachers need to go and see the librarians and chat about their needs…..the library staff and teaching staff need to collaborate to ensure that the library is relevant to both the students and the staff. Back to the advice above -the blog may be a good start to let the teachers know what is available!
G-Good Reads
As we are discussing a school library it is important that library publicise its literature collection (Harris, 2006). Again by having a blog the library is able to let the students know about new arrivals. Also the employment of a social networking site such as Ning would enable the library to establish online book groups that target particular reading interests as a way of another way promoting ‘Good Reads’.
V-Video
The use of videocasting for promoting the library services would also be another way of promoting the library as a modern environment. Arizona State University library services have developed the library minute a videocast that is released regularly to inform students on how to use the library’s services, upcoming events and competitions as well as promoting the library as another place to hang out. But then again thinking back to my school days and where I have worked I sometimes wonder if the librarians actually want people to hang out in the library???? These videocasts can be put onto TeacherTube as most schools block YouTube or be made available on the school’s website and intranet.
Y-Youth
If school libraries or any library for that matter want to remain relevant and foster the concept of life long learning they must appeal to today’s youth (Harris, 2006). As research shows often people’s perceptions of libraries is formed during their school years. To demonstrate that school libraries have a role to play in modern society and especially in the age of Wikipedia, they must make obvious that they are relevant to the information needs of their students. The use of social media will help bring the library to the attention of students; it will further show that the library understands the needs of its young cliental and is able to communicate through a medium that is consider for many young people they only way to ‘do business’.
Reference
Website:
http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com/2010/01/22/a-to-z-of-social-networking-for-libraries/
Article:
Harris, C. (2006). School Library 2.0. School Library Journal (5/01/2006). Available
from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6330755.html
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