School Libraries Yesterday…and…Today
School Libraries Yesterday…and…Today
Technology Experts
It is necessary for school librarians to become proficient in the field of technology and become leaders of technology in
their schools in order to remain a viable part of the information seeking world in the 21st century.
Librarians have 4 Levels of
Technology Acceptance
1. Bleeding Edge
2. Leading Edge
3. In the Wedge
4. Trailing Edge
Characteristics of theBleeding Edge
want state-of-the-art hardware as soon as it is released
seem to have abundance of resources
some times buys into new technology before its success has been proven
eager to lead and implement any new technology
Characteristics of theLeading Edge
eager to move forward with technological innovations
carefully evaluates new technology
supported in technology initiatives by their administration
willing to “wait in the wings” to see how successful new technology will be
Characteristics ofBeing in the Wedge
not risk-takers
take the ‘safe’ approach
not a leader in technology in their school
majority of today’s librarians
Characteristics of the Trailing Edge
outright unwilling to move forward with technology
are at risk for being left behind
always have an excuse for why they haven’t moved forward with library technology
School Libraries andTechnology Evolution
The Evolution of:
Personal Computers
Security Systems
Cataloging, Library Systems, and MARC
Audiovisual Equipment and Materials
Internet and Electronic Resources
Circulation Systems
Web 2.0
Evolution of School LibraryCirculation Systems
From…using leased computer time to perform basic library business functions
…Tomicrocomputer technology that
allows for automation of circulation
Evolution of School LibrarySecurity Systems
From…the first technology that many school libraries used put in place to save money in lost book costs
…Tostill considered near ‘must-haves’ in 21st century school libraries to
reduce book losses
Evolution of Cataloging, Library Systems, and MARC
From…the major chore of typing cards for the card catalog so that books could be located on the shelves
…Toautomated cataloging with the
use of advanced technology
Evolution of Personal Computers
in Relation to School Libraries
From…computers that filled an entire building, but had very little power
…Tosmall, more powerful computers and
networking systems that made possible practical public online catalogs
From…floppy disks …To
flash drives
Evolution of Audiovisual Equipment and Materials
From…film projectors, filmstrip projectors, record players, cassette players, and videotape equipment
…ToDVD players, document
cameras, IPads, LCD/DLP projectors-allowing for
streaming of educational videos
Evolution of Internet and Electronic Resources
From…books and magazines
…ToInfo-Trak - users would search a
microfilm file to locate information that would allow them to find
magazines articles on microfiche…To
Bibliography Reference Service (BRS) – online searching by a librarian via a database thesaurus …To
the INTERNET
Evolution ofWeb 2.0
From…social networking
…Toschool librarians adapting Web 2.0 applications as educational
blogs, podcasts, wikis, and virtual conferencing
In Conclusion
The future of school libraries rests in the hands of the librarians who choose
to become active learners and leaders in technological innovation.
RESOURCEScheeren, W. O. (2010). School Libraries in the Bad Old Days. Technology for the school librarian: theory and practice (pp. 1-11). Santa Barbara, Calif.: Libraries Unlimited.
Sharon SmithLEM 511