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