Brenna Smith

Tait, E., Vo-Tran, H., Mercieca, P., & Reynolds, S. (2019). Don't worry, a school library with fewer books and more technology is good for today's students. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/dont-worry-a-school-library-with-fewer-books-and-more-technology-is-good-for-todays-students-114356?

Summary: In the article published by The Conversation, Tait, Vo-Tran, Mercieca, & Reynolds focus on an all girl's school in Melbourne that sparked a lot of attention through social media by creating a "technology focused center." Many were upset because they assumed that the Melbourne school had completely done away with checking our print books, but this was not the case. The principal argued that she believed in creating a "Learning Center" where the staff continues to provide library services but also offers "discussions with students to encourage creative thinking."
This article also reiterates what we as librarians already know, and that we are constantly changing the way we support patrons as quickly as our society shifts. That "library professionals have been at the forefront of embracing technology: from establishing the first computer labs in schools in the 1980's through to working with students and teachers to use new technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, gaming and recording suites in learning and creativity." With the vast amount of online information and new technologies, they will not be absorbed or used properly without the guidance of a librarian.  

Evaluation: I felt that a significant piece of this article was when the principal defended her decision to restructure the library by calling it a Learning Center. As we have been studying throughout this quarter, libraries can no longer consist of collections of print books. To help today's student be successful for the future, we have to make sure that the library and its staff are integrating technology and project based learning activities into each visit.

When Students "Discover" Databases

Poser-Brown, Lora

Ning Han. (2012). Managing a 21st-Century library collection. The Serials Librarian, 63(2), 158-169, DOI: 10.1080/0361526X.2012.700781.

Reflection: This article was fascinating to me! The authors surveyed college students about how they conduct research: “None of the college students surveyed (0%) start their information search from a library website, or from an ask-an-expert site. Rather, 83% of these surveyed college students begin their information search from a search engine and 7% of them start from Wikipedia.”  The authors then describe the “discovery process” for students to use library resources, especially databases, for their research.

Collection Programs in Schools

Rodriguez, Olivia
Bishop, Kay. The Collection Program in Schools: Concepts and Practices. 5th ed. Santa Barbara,

CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013.

Summary: This Library and Information Science Textbook analyzes the definition of a collection in the 21st Century. It discusses the changing definition of a school library’s collection. This book defines a school media center’s collection as a “group of information sources, print, non print, and electronic” (2007, Bishop, p.1). It includes books, magazines, ebooks, databases, and materials available through interlibrary loan. In addition, this textbook discusses the importance of becoming knowledgeable about the existing library collection and becoming familiar with the school, the community, the school curriculum and the needs of the user. This reminds me of the needs assessment I conducted while analyzing the library I work at, The Winters Community Library. This book also offers general selection criteria for developing a school library collection  including appropriateness of content, scope, high-interest, and support materials for instruction. This text also touches upon fiscal issues relating to the collection and looks at the budget process. The author suggests grant writing, alternative funding, and fundraising. Lastly this book looked at the process of weeding and offered reasons for weeding decisions including poor condition, poor circulation record, biased or stereotypical portrayals, inappropriate reading levels, and outdated information. Evaluation: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was published in 2007 so it is a modern, relevant book for school librarians and school media specialists. Topics for collection programs in schools are well organized into 17 Chapters for 17 different topics. Many of the ideas presented by the author, Kay Bishop, have been discussed in INFO 266 so it connected well with my current studies. For example, I have been analyzing my school’s collection for Presentation 4 and after reading the chapter on weeding, I have added new reasons to weed our series collection. Some of our books in our series collection are outdated and have low circulation such as Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. It is hard to get rid of them because I have so many fond memories of reading them as a child, but this book re-emphasized the importance of creating and maintaining an “attractive collection” and some of these books are in poor physical condition.

The Role of the Academic Library in Promoting Student Engagement in Learning

Roscoe, Whitney
Kuh, G. K., & Gonyea, R. M. (2015). The Role of the Academic Library in Promoting Student Engagement in Learning. College & Research Libraries, 76(3), 359-385.
Summary:
Kuh and Gonyea have undertaken a massive study in their article that spans 19 years.  The study surveyed more than 300,000 students from the years of 1984 to 2002, with the aim of evaluating students' experiences with academic libraries and how libraries contributed to student learning.  The survey was composed of 166 questions, from questions inquiring about the student's background to how often they use the school library and for what purpose. 
Evaluation:
Due to the rise of popularity of computers, students are using databases and indexes now more than ever before.  The study also proves that when students perceive that their university places a value on information literacy, they are more likely to foster better information literacy skills.  A better understanding as to how students learn and study can provide valuable insight as to how to better develop the library collection to foster an environment that is current with the times.