Edging Ahead…

What defines a “21st-Century Library”? Post to the following “seed” questions - or on YOUR vision of a “next-gen” MS/HS library!

FIRST - and perhaps foremost?

1. What part should PRINT collections play in a “next-gen” library?

• Do we NEED books (consider cost, environmental factors, rapid obsolescence, etc)?
• Is a facility without books a “library” or a “Virtuary”?

NEXT:

1. What MATERIALS should be HOUSED in a “next-gen” MS/HS library?
2. What levels of INFORMATION should be accessible through a “next-gen” library?
3. How Prescriptive should Research Tools be in a MS/HS setting?

• e.g. Should we have subscription services AT ALL, or
• Should we rely on the vast body of “free” material on the open web for content to underpin the Research “Processes” we teach students?

Then:

1. How many computers should a school library serving 1500 patrons have? Should they be LAN-based (wired) or Wireless?
2. What other “computing machines” should be part of the information delivery infrastructure?

• desktop computers, laptops, tablets, phone/pda devices, ipods & mp3 players, game consoles and controls?)

And:

1. What ACTIVITIES should be provided for in a “next-gen” library? (think Blade Runner, Minority Report, I Robot: How can/will users interact with computers?
2. What kinds of SPACES are needed to provide for the above? (the tools, the activities, the social groupings of users/patrons)
3. What level of ACCESS should users/patrons have in a “next-gen” library?

• think RFID item tagging and automated checkouts, wireless data delivery & exchange, encryption and virus implications, information access and creation strategies, social networking, virtual environments)

And Finally:

• Post YOUR vision of a “next-gen” MS/HS school library. What does it LOOK like?
• Thinking Assessment? check out the SIDEBARS at left.

That’s it! Get thinking - and POSTING your thoughts… -rjr-

ISB’s Main Library (MS/HS shared) was “State-0f-the-art” - when we built it. (in 1989…) We had a dozen computers, a separate Media Floor (with it’s own “Media Lab” and “Head End” Video Distribution Center), an attached Conference room, and acres of floorspace housing a Comprehensive, Current and Curriculum-Relevant collection in a HighBay main stacks area that was the envy of every librarian visitor. Life was good…

Then along came the Internet, and our dozen computers seemed woefully inadequate. Our Media Lab languished because the computers weren’t “online” and our Campus Area Network was cantankerous and slow. We added computers, installed a modern network, added computers, then moved to laptops, and finally to wired laptops. We moved from tower-based CDs to online databases, and then to web-based subscriptions to databases, media services and utilities. At the same time we sidelined and then selectively retired our pulldown wall map collections, Overhead projectors, VHS video collection and our flatfile collections.

All the while, we worked around our existing Print collections and traditional seating arrangements; kids at tables for four, or at individual study carrels too small to fit a computer AND a couple of books. We welcomed upwards of 1200 visitors a day, but suffered through the attendant noise we felt was inevitable when 100+ students and teachers were working in up to six different teaching/learning spaces. We weeded our collections and trimmed our Print acquisitions, but continued to find the area wanting in terms of meeting the needs of 21st Century Learners.

It’s TIME NOW to really think about what ISB’s Main Library should look like for the NEXT generation of users.

It’s TIME NOW to involve YOU - the intrepid wanderers of the new digital landscape - whether you’re an information professional or a trivia junkie. How do YOU perceive libraries today. In particular, what’s your vision of what a school library for Middle and High School-aged students should be? And how might we get from where we’re at to where we should be?

As we examine what we offer to ISB students through our Main Library, the list seems both comprehensive and needs appropriate - from a teacher’s perspective.

It seems so easy - using the “3-Clicks-In” approach (click in through “Research Tools” from the ISB Homepage at http://www.isb.ac.th to the Online Catalog (Athena - no Username or PW) or to any one of several electronic databases and services (username & pw available inhous), including;

1. “ISB-TV” (video channel for live access to BBC, Discovery Channel, inhouse programs)
2. Subscription Databases & Services

• Ebrary – 30,000 elecronic book titles – current copyrights, NF material, all subjects
• EBSCO
• Academic Search Elite (2000 journal)
• Education Research Complete
• Health Source
• Literary Reference Center
• Newspaper Source
• NovelList
• Professional Development Collection
• ERIC
• NewsBank – School Focused Database
• Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center (Thompson Gale)
• Noodletools (MLA Citation Tool)
• Turnitin.com (Plagiarism detection and prevention)
• United Streaming (streaming Video content)

So What’s the Problem?
RELEVANCE! What do students think? Do these tools meet your needs? Are they intuitive or easy to learn? Do they provide better resources than free material on the web? Do you use them FIRST or as a last resort? (or only if assigned)

Student Perspectives on these and other issues WELCOMED!!

R. Rubis
HS Librarian