Journal #5- Not Your Grandmother's Library (NETS II, III, IV, V)

Perez, L. (2011, March/april). Not your grandmother's library. Learning and leading, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Feature_Article_Not_Your_Grandmother_s_Library.aspx

This article was almost like a breathe of fresh air, a sign of hope that technology does have a place within the educational system and that it can be effective. Educators and parents alike have been skeptical about letting technology have a place within schools yet there are schools out there that are functioning quite well with the use of interactive technology library programs. For example, a librarian in Erdenheim, Pennsylvania, has vivid proof of the success of technology within schools.  "Technology is readily accessible; the library provides more than 80 desktop computers and various multimedia production tools. Students also bring laptops to access the library’s wireless network." (Perez, 2011) Here, is living proof of educators embracing the advances in technology. Instead of being frightened by it they understand how much technology affects their students day to day lives and instead of prohbiting and blocking the internet, they make it a part of day to day function.

Q1) While these library programs are incredible, what about schools that don't have the funds for such technology?
           Monarch Academy is an example of a school that is defying the odds, "The school population is 97% Latino students of Mexican heritage and 3% African-American. Ninety-seven percent of the students are low income." (Perez, 2011) Keisa Williams is the librarian at this school and she knows most of her students' backgrounds but it is something to be can be channeled into a wonderful interactive learning experience within their elementary school.

Q2) With all the incoporation of technology within schools, what happens to relying on books and nuturing a love for reading for pleasure?
              I believe that schools should move into the 21st century and teach effective technological tools that will provide students with skills for today's society. However, some of my fondest memories of elementary school was the visits to the library and hearing the librarian read a story book aloud. I don't think that technology will be erasing books from our future anytime soon. The relationship people have between books and themselves is a very intimate and special one. The ability of an author to pout themselves out in pages and have a reader relate to their writings is a level of love that will not be erased soon.