Once again discussed the future of librarianship and the idea that people should not focus on the question of are libraries are needed anymore?, but rather should focus instead on how libraries can change to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Very interested in learning that at one point around the middle of the 19th century people considered doctors unnecessary, and that at the time the library profession actually commanded more respect than the medical profession. Surprised to learn that illiteracy was common among doctors of the time as well. However, due to certain occurences and innovations in medicine, such as the advent of germ theory, the medical profession changed dramatically. The profession was redefined and restructured in order to meet the changing needs of society. However, it took time, hard work, and a progressive mindset to "radically" change the future of medicine.
I want to keep this in mind while studying to become a librarian. The library world is going through immense change during this time, and those wanting to get into the profession need to constantly look towards the future and pinpoint and predict the changing needs of users in the community.
The rest of class centered around the different types of Libraries including: Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, School Libraries, and Special Libraries, their purpose and the issues concerned with each. Funding seems to be a concern with all of the different types of the libraries. However, funding is a concern across most disciplines these days. so its a question of making those funds count, as well as molding each individual library into an indispensable institution for each individual community.
Also the class discussed the importance of databases to libraries in this day and age, and the cost for libraries to use the best database sites. Was interested to learn of the legal case against, I think it was Georgia State, and the issue of their publicly displaying certain journal articles that they received from databases. This is definitely an interesting case. I feel like the library pays for those databases so they should be able to make as many copies as they want of those articles, however, the public display of those articles on a website may be crossing the line. It is an interesting case for those who are support the idea of open and free information.
When the class was discussing school librarians it made me think of the issues that my school librarian faced. I'm originally from a very small town (graduated with a class of thirty-six), and we had one librarian for grades K-12. I think there was also one library aide to help out, but that was the extent of any help. The library itself was, and remains a very small space with an extremely small collection. Now what interests me is not the amount of people that my librarian had to serve, but the diversity of the group. How she met the needs of all of her "members"from the kindergarteners first learning how to read, to the high schoolers learning how to research, to the teachers looking to create interesting projects and lesson plans for there kids. Looking back I really admire my librarian and the job she did. She wasn't perfect but what teacher is? She also had to contend with constantly changing technology ,which is everyone's cross to bear, but which seems extremely central to the job of a librarian. My school's librarian always had to be on the forefront of any new technology field that our school invested in. She also had to stay informed about new methods of research ect... I remember when my school didn't have a computer lab and just a couple of computers and then all of the sudden there were computers in every classroom and a whole new room where students could go to do research and write papers. Remembering this just reminds me of all the reasons that school librarians are necessary in today's learning institutions. They are the ones that usually teach students how to research and refine their technology skills. They teach kids where to find reliable data and definitely "facilitate knowledge in their communities." Their mission is the same as always, the methods have just changed. Instead of books, the focus is now on internet resources.
Also I was interested in the discussion we had on book banning and how it's not as much of an issue as libraries haven't banned books in about fifty years. But I think the issue is still relevant as its important to remember that such things did occur and were problems. Sometimes we have to look to the past to learn, and just to remember how far we've come and how people can make a difference.
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