One practical suggestion to avoid this downside to mobile labs……?  Volunteer to be in charge of scheduling the labs.  I do not have mobile labs – but we might have them in the future.  I plan to handle that situation the same way I handled computer labs when they were added.  Volunteer to take over the scheduling duties.

Right now, the teachers come to me to schedule the stationary labs.  If they are doing an online lab etc.,  I simply schedule their classes into a lab.  However, if they are doing research, I schedule the computer lab AND myself, AND the library (or at least a cart of books).  I have a form that references information literacy standards, so it is immediately obvious that there is a curriculum requirement that needs to be met.

When/if we have mobile computer labs, they will also be scheduled via the library department.  I am hoping to have one mobile lab that stays here (for the most part) to add to the current 15 library computers.  This will allow students to work with books and laptops at tables, providing a more seamless research experience.  The other mobile lab will be reserved for classroom use.  BUT – mobile labs will have to be scheduled by us, and returned to us for recharging.  Yes … I know….that will be a lot of work.  I am blessed to have an assistant.  Not every one is so fortunate.  I also know that many schools schedule lab use via a lab assistant.  If that is the case, then the librarian can check the schedule regularly and make teacher contacts where appropriate.

It is a matter of a small shift in mind-set – research and libraries are no longer bound by library walls.  Research means information literacy, and information literacy should automatically involve librarians.  Furthermore, the library and the librarian are NOT synonymous.  The librarian is as mobile as any mobile lab – and a whole lot smarter! He/she can, should and does travel to where the need is – whether in the library, in a stationary lab, or in the classroom with a mobile lab.  Teachers and librarians have worked together with students in the library for years.  Teachers and librarians can work together just as easily in the classroom.

This might be a big paradigm shift for some teachers – but it isn’t a big leap for us.  We are used to being flexible …… not to mention mobile!

For the second time this week, I ran across the term “ha-ha” in reference to landscape architecture. So – of course I immediately went to the internet to find the definition. Yay!! The NEW way. So much better and more convenient than the library – especially since the library is closed right now. I did two searches. First I went to Wikipedia which gave me an excellent summary and provided pictures. For my purposes this was enough. So, I guess I can understand why most people would think that this is proof that libraries might as well close thier doors and donate their books for use as an alternative fuel to save the planet.

It got me thinking though. The information from the Wikipedia article and its associated links would not be nearly enough for someone studying landscape architecture as a career. So – I went out and did a Google search. It was much harder to locate relevant articles. The BEST I found was for a book called “Where Land and Water Intertwine” By Christopher Weeks, Michael O. Bourne. Google Books provides a limited preview to this book. A quick search of it shows me (posing as a landscape architect student) that I have found exactly what I need. A few clicks and I can purchase it used for around $10, new for $25 – or I can click the “find it in a library” link (World Cat), copy the location information and send an email to my friendly public, school or college library to borrow it for free.

World Cat is the science fiction fantasy that librarians started to construct in the distant reaches of time. I recall learning about it in the late 60’s. It wasn’t brand new then. I remember creating an extra catalog card for every book we purchased back in the early 80s when our school library system was born. All to go into the “great catalog in the sky” that one day would be available to all. Well – one day is here.

If they build it they will come? I don’t know…… I don’t think the message is getting out.

I need to work harder on this. It’s not just the college librarian’s job.

….And yes… Maybe some day you will be able to download the book to your Kindle, iPod, iPhone et al. Doesn’t change things. (Unless artists & writers figure out how to make money by giving all their works away for free). Libraries will STILL be the ones providing free access. Those with the means and the need to own the downloads, will buy access. Others can still get the best deal in town from their local library. Not to mention, the ability to attend community events and have some quality face-time with other humans

We are both web 2.0 fans, but we are disagreeing on the value of library websites in a web 2.0 world. It surprises me that someone who is a book reader himself, doesn’t see the same value in library web sites that I do. But then, I wonder how anyone can exist without a library – physical and virtual. Libraries are like air and water to me.

I understand the points Chris makes. But ultimately I disagree. If you are suffering from insomnia, keep reading. The sheer length of my response will send you off to dreamland in no time. Consider yourself warned.

I am not saying that libraries and library websites are the ONLY way to find information. I am not even saying that they are the best way to find information in all circumstances. Just for SOME things – mainly books and databases, and finding a real live person to help.

Yes – database information might (someday) be available from Google – but not anytime soon. For the most part information from books and periodicals is not available on the free web. Yes – many magazines will give you a few complete articles on their websites – but often you find only a few paragraphs – followed by a button to pay $ to get the rest of the article. Libraries pay for the databases, so the public can get the articles for free. Can you get good info just surfing the net? Of course you can. But the library is a good source of a whole category of information that is just not available there yet.

Visionary libraries are creating websites that will become destinations in the same way the physical library is a destination. For instance, for book lovers, I see a library as a physical place to go where you can join a book discussion group and then continue the discussion online with the library website. Can you discuss books online without a library website? Of course you can. But then, is MySpace the only social networking site? Is Google the only search engine? It’s all about choice. For those who like books – the library is one of the best choices.

Chris questions the need to teach kids online citation programs such as EasyBib…. EasyBib is just one of many tools. If you work for Kodak, or the University of Rochester etc. and need to attribute information (and you better believe that you need to), you have a couple of choices. You can use the citation 1.0 method – laboriously type the information into MLA or APA format, using a handbook to guide you. OR- you can remember that your friendly school librarian taught you EasyBib (or one of the many other bib makers on the web). From there you simply type in the info, and let the program put in all the punctuation, alphabetize your list, & save it as a word document, all in one easy step. Your choice. Our English dept. has always taught MLA – but has been careful to let kids know there are other formats out there. Now we teach them EasyBib and let them know there are other programs out there.

Chris mentioned our lovable content filter (BESS). BESS is just something that will block kids when they are in school. College websites and public library websites (for the most part) don’t have to deal with that. If it were up to me – BESS would not exist (at least in the high school). BESS certainly is not going to stop me from teaching kids the benefits of using a library website.

Library pages are centered around books and databases. They even point folks to Google and other search engines. If you don’t want books and databases, and Google is all you need or want – fine. You don’t need libraries. But if you do love/need books and/or need academic journals – library web sites are the best place to find them for free. I go to my public library website 3 or 4 times a month to put books on hold. I am not a fan of audio books – but if I were, I can go to the public library site and download free audio books. I don’t have to buy them from Borders or a garage sale, or even iTunes. If I want to read an ebook – I don’t have to go to Amazon and pay them for it. I can go right to the public library site and download an ebook for free. Libraries have been the source of free books for years. In spite of the popularity of the web – people still like to read – young and old. Books cost money. Libraries provide them for free. And they provide them via library web sites.

Without a doubt – virtually all non-fiction will be web-based one day, but not all of it will be free – at least not for quite some time. That’s where libraries come in. Right now, if you go to Google Book Search and you find a book you want – you are presented with choices. If the book you want is in the public domain, you can read it on Google (can’t print it though). If it is still under copyright, you get a choice too. For instance, I just looked up “The World Is Flat” on Google Book Search and here is what I saw:

So – I can either spend my hard-earned money on the book (new or used – it still costs money) . OR – I can click the “find this book in a library” button and World Cat (the mother of all library websites) will tell me which libraries own it in proximity to my zip code. I can then click on the nearest library’s website & place a hold on the book. Yes – I have to go to the library and pick it up. But guess what? There are still plenty of folks who enjoy going to a library. I know – crazy talk.

Chris mentions finding a lot of information on Wikipedia and the Massachusetts Historical Society. Those sites certainly MIGHT be just the right amount to satisfy my information need. But then again, they might not if I am obsessed with the role of women in the revolutionary war and want to write a book about it – or just can never get enough of the topic. I would really want to go to a library website to find out what books my local library has to offer, order some books from surrounding public and academic libraries, and print out some scholarly articles from the databases on the website. Not to mention go to the Library of Congress website to search their American Memory site for primary documents, etc. The MA Historical Society puts a lot of information on their site and provides access to other sites of interest. So do libraries. I suspect one goal of the MA Historical Society or Smithsonian etc. is to promote their websites as a portal to information. They are not saying they are the only way – they are just a very good way. Google is great. Libraries are STILL better for books.

When movies came out – it was going to be the death of books. When TV came out, it was going to be the death of books, when VCR’s and DVD’s came out, it was going to be the death of books. It has never happened. I’ve been following the chatter about the Kindle. The books lovers of the world like it OK – but only as a convenient hand-held way of making printed material portable, and mostly for non-fiction. The vast majority say that they prefer a print book for recreational reading.

Chris mentions finding books he wants at second hand books stores. Used book stores are great. $5 is a terrific price for a book. But – do book lovers have room for every book they want to read? Do the landfills have enough room for every book read once and then tossed out? Do book nuts have the money (even at bargain prices) for every book they want to read? Not a millionaire? The library is the place to go.

I would be doing a disservice to the kids if I did not promote library web pages. I would certainly do a disservice to them if I did not teach them how to use databases. Yes – I also need to teach them effective search strategies and evaluation skills for the free web. That’s on the list too – although the list is not done yet. The biggest complaint I read from college profs about the research skills they see are “They are satisfied with the first 3 results from Google”; “they believe everything they read on the web”; “they don’t know how to locate scholarly, peer-reviewed journals”; “they don’t know how to construct a good web search”. We need to concentrate on all those skills – for the college bound AND for the lifelong learners and lifelong readers.

Eventually, everyone (well – almost everyone) finishes with school and rarely, if ever, walks into a classroom again. They will no longer need school or college websites. Hopefully teachers, professors & librarians will have made SOME impact over the years. Hopefully our former students will have enough knowledge and curiosity to be able to come up with effective key word searches for Google AND databases. The skills are very similar.

Hopefully they will enter a library again during their lifetime, and maybe even use a library website. If they don’t – oh well. It won’t be because they were never taught.

And hopefully the next time they want to read the latest hot best seller – they will know that they don’t HAVE to pay for it from Amazon. They have a choice.

Economy gets people out of the house, into libraries
Study shows more checkouts in hard times
By TERRY OBLANDER Newhouse News Service
Aug. 2, 2008, 5:30PM

People have made libraries part of stay-at-home vacations, she said. Whole families participate in programs.

Although the evening news is both scary and depressing – I found this article to be a welcome bit of good news. Actually – at least in this area – I have noticed that public libraries have been busier than ever for a long time now. Still – there are so many people that are so enamored of the internet, they think libraries are anachronisms. Silly people.

The library is a PLACE. It is a DESTINATION. It is where people and ideas can interact together. In person. What a concept. No matter how much we love our computers – we are social beings. We like to have face-to-face conversations once in awhile.

Our school has computer labs and no student laptops or mobile labs. Even if we had them – I think teachers and students will still prefer to come to the library where they can spread out and form groups to work on projects. Not to mention all the cool books.

In spite of what ardent internet users think – many kids still read books. They might not go to them as often for reports – but they still like to read for fun. That’s why I concentrate a lot of my book budget on the kinds of books – fiction and non-fiction – that kids enjoy reading. For research material, more of my budget goes into online databases these days.

Now – if only my library were big enough for more groups…. We are bursting at the seams these days – for research AND for fun. The library is a great destination!

Forget the fast-fading stereotype of the hair-in-a-bun, eyeglasses-on-a-chain, shush-happy librarian. From: Modern librarians are hip, tech-saavy Monday, January 07, 2008 By Morgan Jarema The Grand Rapids Press

“Hair-in-a-bun, eyeglasses-on-a-chain, shush-happy librarian!” Sigh……
I am always sad to hear the librarian stereotype invoked – even when used to “prove” that librarians are really not all that bad. It makes me feel that our proud profession is not only under-valued – but positively trivialized. I try very hard not to dwell on it or take it personally. But there are days when it is hard to keep my teeth gnashing under control.

So…. what about this (more subtle) disclaimer?

As workstations replace dust-covered shelves in your district libraries, a new breed of librarian—the library media specialist (LMS)—has become an essential part of a school’s faculty. From: Meet Your New School Library Media Specialist By Eric Weil Scholastic Administrator

Don’t get me wrong. This is a great article. I was prepared to love the article when it was posted on LM_NET and talked about by Doug Johnson and others in Library Blogland. I do like the article. But here we go again. Starting off a fine article with a disclaimer: “Workstations replace dust-covered shelves!”
Who says our shelves are dust-covered? Double Sigh….
I don’t know about you – but I am proud of our profession. I am proud that we are always in the forefront of new technologies. Even if no one else seems to notice – our students and fellow teachers notice. But I am equally proud to be in the forefront of the book world. BOOKS!! BOOKS!! BOOKS!!
Book is NOT a four-letter word, folks. We are NOT old fashioned if we still see connecting kids and books as an important part of our mission. Just as important as blogs, wikis and podcasts – if not more so.

And as long as I am ranting…. I also resent the stereotype of the librarian as being OLD. What’s so bad about being old?

Here is an LM_NET posting of mine from a few years ago:

I think we “golden oldies” actually have a real advantage going for us. We are the ones who remember the agony of the card catalog and Reader’s Guide. We are in the best position to appreciate the information “dream come true” that we are witnessing in the internet age. When I was in Library School we had to create a mini database using punch cards. We were also learning about something called MARC records which were going to allow libraries to share their collections world wide. Looking back, I realize that we were working on the superstructure of the information age. We can be really proud of ourselves as information pioneers and we also have the joy of seeing the fruits of our labors in our own lifetimes. What a time to be a librarian!!!

Sensible shoes, or tattoos – it doesn’t matter. LET’S BE PROUD. Repeat after me:

NO MORE DISCLAIMERS!!!

NO MORE APOLOGIES!!!

We are LIBRARIANS! Hear us ROAR!!

Imagine……….

(Inspired by a 9th grader who was embarassed that she could not find information in a book for her research assignment.)

A library catalog where you could choose the kind of search you wanted to do:

1. A traditional subject search

2. A keyword search

3. A table of contents search (The table of contents would also pop up next to the picture and title of a book- just like Google Books, Amazon et al)

4. An index search

5. A full text search

In a world where everyone is drowning in information – how wonderful would it be to be able to do a truly thorough search of our carefully selected local holdings?!

Ahhhh!! The dreams go on…..

How about……. “People who checked out this book, also checked out these other books….”

How about …. “let us know what you think about this book”……..

How about ….. “join a chat/discussion group about this book”………

Yes, yes, yes, I know – filtering inappropriate comments, online security and on and on. It is still worth dreaming!!

Librarian’s Lament has generated a few comments here – and many on LM_NET. I need to work these responses into a new post. Someday when there is time… I need to retire or take a sabbatical.

Anyway – just wanted to add some fuel to the fire. If you have not seen the video EPIC 2014 – you should take the time to watch it. Here is the filter friendly version in case your filter blocks the first link as mine does.

This video will make you think about what might happen if people lose their ability to think critically. Yes – there is a lot of wonderful thinking and discussion going on in this new world of the Read/Write Web. But there are dangers…. Our students need the skills to navigate this new world of information. I am thinking about it every day. Banning Web 2.0 sites and banning Google is NOT the answer. I suspect that changing databases & library catalogs to be more user-friendly is part of the solution. As school librarians, creating meaningful and memorable lessons on how to use & evaluate all kinds of information (google-based or otherwise)definitely IS the answer. Now – if I can just get some thinking/planning time!!

DIGITAL MAOISM: The Hazards of the New Online Collectivism

Let’s not do that.

School library blogs are a great way to communicate with our students, using their media of choice. So – let’s figure out if there is a way to work blogs into our library programs. To get the creative juices flowing – try finishing the following sentences. I’ve put in a few ideas to get the conversation going: (additions will appear in green text. Be sure to read the comments to find out who the authors of the comments are.)

I Will Blog Because: (How can I use a library blog to improve service to students? to faculty? to the library world?)

I will blog because my students pay attention to blogs

I will blog because it helps me share ideas with my school community

I will blog because it helps me expand my ideas with ideas from other people in the cyberworld who are thinking about the same things that I am thinking about

I will blog because I want to model social networking behavior for my colleagues and students.

I will blog because I need to “reinvent” myself as a Library Media Specialist in a changing world . . . once again!

I will blog because 42 minutes a day doesn’t really constitute an intellectual conversation.

I will blog because the daily news in circle time is much more authentic when we publish it and first grade students can go home and read it to their parents.

I will blog because I want to be part of a larger professional community.

I will blog about solutions instead of whinging about problems.

I will blog because there are so many conversations to have between us and our users.

I will blog because there are so many new things to learn about and test and report back on and this medium suits such things pretty darn well.

I will blog because when I ask a room full of librarians “How many of you have a blog at your library’s web site” and three hands out of 70 go up, there’s still a message to convey.

I will blog because I can easily store thoughts, data and bits of writing that I will need later and l know exactly where it is at all times.

I will blog because anyone can have a voice in the biblioblogoshpere and share themselves and their thinking and I relish the chance to point to some new thinker and hopefully comment on their words.

I will blog because it makes Michael Gorman look like a Big Goober for not getting that librarians + weblogs = a thriving community of practice that has enhanced my life and hopefully others.

I will blog because I’m inspired by librarians who do what they do so well.

I will blog because I like putting my self out there!

I will blog because as the world evolves our teaching models and practices need to be discussed and re-evaluated.

I will blog because the roads are too nasty today for me to get out to visit people in person!

I will blog because sometimes I need to vent my frustrations with this job. And sometimes I need to share my victories.

I will blog because I learn so much in the process of blogging–about the resources I write about, about html, about human nature, about myself–that Iwould otherwise not learn.

I will blog because of the thoughtful comments posted from around the world.

I will blog because SHARE is the librarian’s mantra, and information is a conversation.

I will blog because if I’ve learned something useful, there’s no point in hoarding that knowledge.

I will Blog Instead Of: (What will I do differently OR what will I give up to make time for blogging?)

I will create a “library news blog” instead of sending out a paper newsletter to my faculty & administration.

I will blog my ideas instead of saving my ideas to folders on my school computer

I will blog book reviews instead of posting reviews to my static website.

How will you finish the sentences? Please jump in and comment.

and Chris Harris have given me SO much to think about. Where to start? I liked Stephen Abram’s advice – “Just play”! Anyway – thanks Stephen and Chris – and thanks also to Doug Johnson, who challenged me to write this post.

Based on the following posts:

1. I Will … (as a student). from John Pederson Pedersondesigns
2. I Will … (as a teacher) from Doug Johnson – Blue Skunk Blog

Note to everyone in the biblioblogosphere: PLEASE ADD TO THIS! Additions will be added in Green Text. Look at the comments to find out the authors of the additions. Some minor changes have been made to improve clarity or flow.

Let’s have a little competition at our school library and get ready for the future.

I will use a laptop, interactive Library/Web 2.0 tools, a library web page with access to subscription databases, plus unfiltered access to the Internet. You will use a desktop computer, no subscription databases, a filtered Internet connection, and no interactive technologies – not even email. Are you ready…?

• I will access research databases with the full text of thousands of periodicals & reference articles – you will have the library’s 30 periodical titles and a copier.
• I will have 24/7 access to on-line research books and reference articles – you can work in the library whenever you have the time.
• I will save my notes to a blog, wiki or other collaborative website so I can work on them from any computer, anywhere, anytime – you will save your notes to a disk or other portable storage media, and carry it with you from computer to computer.
• I will communicate directly with leaders and experts using email, blogs, wikis and other on-line collaborative tools – you will read their words from a book or a web site (as long as the sites are not blocked by your school’s content filter).
• I will collaborate with my peers from around the world – you will collaborate with peers in your school.
• I will work with my collaborative learning group to complete a school project any time, any place, using a blog, wiki or other web-based collaborative tools – you will meet with your group in the library whenever you have the same “free” period.
• I will add podcasts, video clips and other multimedia to my presentation and post it to the web – you will share it with your teachers and students.
• I will share my opinions about books with readers around the world using using Library/Web 2.0 tools – you will share your opinions with other people in the library.
• I will take my learning as far as I want – you must wait until you get home, away from the library’s filtered web access.
• I will use the tools my NetGen patrons prefer to communicate with them (blogs, wikis, webpages, chat) – you can send out overdue notices.
• I will help my students develop the search and evaluation skills they need to survive in an enormous, unmoderated information environment – you will help children learn to use the Dewey Decimal System.
• I will teach my fellow teachers how to use these new tools so that they too can feel comfortable in the new digital landscape — you will drag your feet about learning how to use the tools yourself, because “that’s not why I became a librarian.”
• I will remain calm, even if a student’s cell phone accidently rings. You can freak out like a buggywhip maker hearing a new fangled car horn.
• I will play games because I know playing is just another word for learning that is fun. You will say “No Games in the Library” because your students have to be working, not enjoying being in the library.
• I will remember that we have always had students just copying encyclopedia articles and turning them in. You will complain that with this new media students are just cutting and pasting rather than reading.
• I will remember that technology isn’t the point, that the point is to design projects that make kids think, rather than projects that show all the bells and whistles. You will stick with the same projects your kids have always done.
• I will balance my “collection” – print, electronic and online – allocating resources to encompass all areas. You will focus on one area to the detriment of the other.
• I will call myself a teacher-librarian because the title “school library media specialist” is focused on a room and materials, not on students and learning.

The cost of a laptop per year? – $250

The cost of quality research databases – Expensive

The cost of librarian, teacher and student training? – Expensive

The cost of well educated & well informed citizens and workforce? – Priceless

I will (as a School Librarian) want to get some of that kool kids hype on me and buy wholesale into the web 2.0 triumphalist rhetoric, positing even my good ideas in a confrontational, condescending style – you will not be able to do anything but agree wholeheartedly without eliciting my rude, snarky scorn.