[CALIBK12] Closing all high school libraries - SOS

[David loertscher]

This post really addresses a larger issue. Are libraries or have they moved
to the center of teaching and learning? If students are Googling around us
most of the time, then are we really needed. Are we central in online
schools? Are we central in small learning communities? How many charter
schools have libraries? Are we central in any configuration of education?

If we are, then why does the topic even come up?

For example, if we were rotating classroom collections regularly so that
there was always something new and fresh to read in every classroom, then
why would teachers want to own a classroom library that is interesting for
the first few weeks of school and then ignored the rest of the year?

For a half century, we have been working on the model that "if we build it,
they will come." We will be so irresistible, so enticing, so filled with
wonderful stuff that everyone will flock to our doors. The bottom line is
the tough question, "Do they come both physically and virtually?"

As I look across the profession and at the last 50 years of collective
experience, I believe that it is time to reinvent ourselves. Why? How? When?
These are important questions.

In a few days, I will announce the recording of a free one-hour webinar on
this topic. I would encourage everyone to view it - not because I think it
is important to watch me, but as a stimulus to all of us and to all
organizations that are now experiencing the need to do some major 180 degree
thinking if we are going to stay relevant in this new world of digial
learners and model change in schools.

On Thu, May 7, 2009 at 9:06 AM, Debra Bohnett
<dbohnett at stockton.k12.ca.us>wrote:

>  Dear all,
>
>
>
> This is for the high schools utilizing the small learning community model.
> How have your library services changed utilizing this model? Do you see an
> increased need for school libraries utilizing this model, a decrease or the
> same?  Our district has moved to this model for all four of our
> comprehensive high schools and there is a movement to eliminate high school
> libraries because there is a perceived notion that libraries will not be
> necessary.  I am the teacher librarian at a relatively new high school that
> has been utilizing the SLC model since it opened so I do not have a
> comparison.
>
>
>
> Please respond ASAP – the district librarian is at a hearing today that may
> determine the fate of high school libraries in our district. . .
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> *Debra Bohnett***
>
> *Teacher Librarian*
>
> *Cesar** Chavez High School***
>
> *Stockton**, CA***
>
> *(209)933-7480 ext. 8761*
>
>
>
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>


-- 
Professor David V. Loertscher
School of Library and Information Science
San Jose State University
Home address: 312 South 1000 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-755-1122
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