Christopher Harris on Library 2.0 ITLS 6030

     This article was written about the changing world of technology and how we as librarians need to embrace this change to be the effective, creative and efficient school librarians in today’s world.  We need to learn to function in an electronic information environment.  If we do not do this, we will fall behind and become obsolete.  As librarians, we need to transform the way we think and the way we do things and stay on the cutting edge of technology.  Not only do we need to focus on having the library physically the center of the school, but we need to take the library to the student and teacher throughout the school where learning is taking place.

     Mr. Harris mentioned ways in which librarians were using technology in their schools, and possible applications for future use.  Del.cio.us was mentioned for social bookmarking and to help located online resources.  He stated ways to be creative with booktalks and bookclubs that included blogging, media, and voicemail.  He cited My Thing as a way to get students to write reviews on the books they were reading and creating a bookshelf to display their favorite books.

     An important point that I thought he brought up was that of marketing the library.  He stated how many librarians do not like to advertise what they are doing, or to self-market what they are accomplishing.  Mr. Harris pointed out that it is vital to the future of these institutions to let others know how the library is useful and helpful in education today.  It was suggested that we create a logo, or sticker that we can place on everything we do.  Librarians need to be vocal and visual in their accomplishments to let others, especially those who have the power to give or take away funding, know what an invaluable service librarians are performing.

     Librarians are here to bring education to the next level so as to help students function in a constantly changing world.  As Christopher Harris stated, “ We are helping children to become literate users of information in order for them to have successful careers in school and beyond.“