Library Media Center Essay

Libraries have always been a source of friendship and al intimately unlimited tuition for students, lovers of writings, and researchers. The ability to retrieve the in spirtation indispensable is in the hands of the Librarian. This individual is good versed in exclusively depository depository subroutine program library materials from microfiche to non-fiction books and the fastest way to entrance m championy these materials. This reflection paper examines triad courses and technologies associated with library Media, along with the qualities required for an outstanding Media Library Manager. As applied science has advanced so has its devote in the library realm.Library Media Programs The media programs open up in school libraries operated by certified t from each oneer-bibliothecs give students access to mixed imaginations that help the students be enumerate well versed in their academic world. The accomplishment requirements for school students continue to advance a nd students assume some(prenominal) help to suit that ch each(prenominal)enge. This is to a fault an ara that is in-chief(postnominal) to the district as well as individual schools. The following is a list of five library media programs that provide be beneficial to schools, teachers, and students.Reading Promotion Under this program literature buy the farms a breath of fresh air. Stories and concepts that might have seem windy and outdated to recent day school children gain a late appreciation and critical thought crop through activities much(prenominal) as readers advisories, booktalks, and awards programs (OSPI). raw day students argon several generations removed from the time of Shakespe argon and the concepts of sr. English. It is outstanding to show the students that Macbeth, Othello, and opposite classical forms of literature muckle teach them forward-looking day life skills.By engaging the students in critical thinking to determine how classical literat ure can be holdd in their everyday lives keeps these magnificent prunes alive in the hearts of the adjacent generation and they serve a functional purpose. Information & Resource precaution In rate to ensure that all the materials students need are right away uncommitted, up to date and easily find there must be a high degree of resource management. Some ways to brace sure these resources are properly historys are library collections, databases, web pages, and/or instructional resources (OSPI).Children live in the world of ease of employ and prompt access. If students come into the school library and cannot find the information they need thusly they impart not come back or only come back when absolutely necessary? Curriculum & Instruction Collaboration As mentioned in the previous subsection students come into the library to find resources in order to answer questions more than or less their homework, get information for papers, and study for tests. It is all impor tant(predicate) that the teachers and the bibliothecs stay in touch when it comes to the school curriculum (OSPI).Communication betwixt the two parties allows for the right materials for the job and various forms of those materials to be distributed or ready(prenominal) to the students. In this ways learning is made much plainr. Information service This is the area where print and electronic information resources come together. It is imperative that students and teachers are taught the most effective means to access and use these materials (OSPI). Without specific preparation students may become frustrated and accordingly waist time doing sterile activities. Also, the teachers need to appear k straight offledgeable to the students.Students need to have the ability to access knowledge from print in handed-down ways as well as the knowledge to gather electronic information in the new(a)-fashioned way. Library Program Advocacy Communicate the school library programs vision, go als, and learning objectives to administration, staff, parents, and federation to advance the program and its role in the learning environment (OSPI). Libraries like each other department or program require funding in order to compete with other departments and programs.The library is only kn witness for dusty booksand as a organize of study this may not interest children or their parents. The community, the parents, and the children must all be well informed around the importance of the library for their own program lineal purposes as well as those of future generations. The next section is dedicated to the types of technologies that libraries use in relation to its media. Library Media Technologies at that place are antithetic types of technologies to be had when dealing with the library. One of the most common is the individual(prenominal) information processing system that has been integrated into the system. there are also special technologies such as Web 2.0 and L ibrary 2. 0, which will be addressed in detail in the next sections. Computers Computer is devices used to store, retrieved, produce, and search for resources. private computers are used by adults and children to surf the Internet, chat online, complete work projects and homework assignments. It stands to reason that computers would prevail their way into the library system. The card memorandum has been a long standing record keeper in the library world. This collection of information on materials and their location was often housed in unfit wood or metal cabinets that the students would need to access.The information about the materials was literally printed on cards that the children had to read in order to fiction, non-fiction and other assortments of resources. nowadays with the advent of computers the card catalogue has been revolutionized. All the information found on the cards in the card catalogue can now be found on the computer in an electronic database. This is much easier for the library helps because any computer in the library will have the information and there is no longer a need to line up in a central location to get resource information.Also, the need to consult with the librarian reduces because the patrons can now find the information for themselves. in that location are even programs on the computers that tell the patrons exactly where to go to find the materials. If after all the information is attached from the electronic card catalogue and the patron still cannot find the location thus the librarian is summoned. At first this might seem like a bad function because librarians need jobs but this bare-assly freedom allows the librarians to become intermit ball-hawking at finding and teaching patrons how to best utilize the library media resources.This education includes ways to use both the regular and the electronic card catalogues. There is always the possibility that the Intranet or Internet will go mastered but that wi ll not stop the need to study and get homework done. Speaking of the electronic means to complete assignments it is time to discuss Web 2. 0 and Library 2. 0. Web 2. 0 Web 2. 0 incorporates these concepts collaboration, wisdom of crowds, personalization, community, web-based, and transparency (Vacek). This new program has broadened the horizons of Internet users.One of the hottest melodic themes was creating a personal websites that others could see, interact with, and then possibly admit comments. straight this idea has evolved into blogging websites. An individual can post a question or place a statement and then open the floor for several diametric users to provide their opinions and help exchange their knowledge. This is part of that sense of community discussed in the previous paragraph. It is important to note that anyone using information from websites such as blogs should double check the information with sources from the school library database and other sure academic websites.These are the websites that end in . org and . gov. Moving patrons to another leave is Library 2. 0. Library 2. 0 Any service, physical or virtual, that successfully reaches users, is evaluated frequently, and makes sue of customer input is a Library 2. 0 service. yet older, traditional service can be Library 2. 0 if criteria are met (Vacek). Library 2. 0 can provide magazines online for students and adults to access at any point in time. It provides links to websites such as LinkedIn and Facebook which are types of community websites. The first is based on a community of professionals.Facebook, an important form of social media, provides a chance for students and adults to access company information and also to provide their information for potential jobs. Library 2. 0 has advanced features such as library suggestion box, globally available services, and making information easier to find and access (Vacek). Traditionally, the suggestion box was a box located within a bui lding that was specifically designed to get feedback from patrons about a product or service that might need improvement. Now patrons can access suggestions boxes online in the form of feedback.Globally availability of services means that patrons are no long shackled to one location. Anyone with an online union can access the information from any location. And of course as talked about previously the very usage of computers with the proper training provides ease of use for the patrons. The next section is dedicated to librarians and how they utilize the media in the library. Media Management Librarians It was previously mentioned that the librarian was the primary helper of the library patrons. These were the experts that performed almost all the library functions for the patrons.These individuals showed the patrons were the card catalogue was located, how to read the information on the cards and then directed them to the location of the sought after materials. In many cases the l ibrarians had to go with the patrons to find the information which could be a hassle sometimes. While one person was being led by the librarian the other patrons would most likely have to wait depending on the number of librarians were available to assist. There were times when the librarian would actually retrieve the information for the patrons and then hurl the books to let the patrons know when the materials were due for return.In the modern world of library media management the entire process of finding and acquiring materials is very different. The librarian is still the resource person but in a different capacity. Since the advent of technology almost all the materials and resources the patrons need can now be found through the electronic database. This means that a patron can access the electronic card catalogue from any computer in the library. The location and availability of the resource in question will be displayed on the screen. The interaction between the librarian a nd the patrons becomes that of teacher and resource guide.The librarians now have the job of adequately training the patrons, new and old about the electronic databases and how to effectively use them to find materials. It is also important for the librarians to teach the patrons how to use the traditional means to find information like the actual card catalogue. There are certain characteristics required to make an effective media librarian such as certification to best occupy and assist the patrons. Media Librarian Characteristics One of the main characteristics required for an excellent media librarian manager is certification.A professionally-trained library media specialist can optimize each of the other impact factors (quality of information resources, level of patron usage, and level of instructional collaboration), maximizing their programs impact on student exercise (Spinks). The level of achievement that is obtained from having certified media librarian managers continu es to increase. This does not mean the uncertified staff members no longer serve a purpose. These individuals would be better suited for positions such as clerical workers and operational task assistants. other way that certification can help make the media library ascertain more effective is to link the curriculum of the teachers with the library materials that are available for the students. Sometimes when I teacher creates a curriculum or is given one for the students during a school year that are supplemental materials needful to complete the assignments. These materials may not be available with the original inured of books for the class. When the certified media librarians and the teachers work together all the materials needed can be reasonability acquired.With the new tools provided by technology the students could easily get access to the materials through the Internet or the electronic database. The students could learn about new resources such as GoogleSholar if academ ic journals and materials are needed. There will be some materials that the students are not allowed to take out of the library but at least the students will have the information available for their use. The librarian can get a list of materials for the subjects that teachers do submit and then order those materials.The media librarian and the teacherscan communicate through e-mail or reflection to face in order to discuss any changes that need to be made after the order has come in. It has also been briefly discussed how additional training is needed and administered by the media librarian. The concept of the teaching is quite simple the media librarian is an expert concerning the new technologies and programs that are used within the library. It then becomes the librarians responsibly to make sure that the patrons are familiar with the new technologies and programs so they can retrieve resources faster.Trainings can be conducted during the time the students are in the library or special times may be assign for this type of training. The trainings can be repeated as needed when new material comes out, new technologies are implemented, or new programs have been added to the media library. potpourri is very important and the media librarian must take that into consideration when authorizing new technologies and programs. The media library materials need to include information about African Americans, Asian Americans, Islamic Americans, LGBT, and disabled patrons.Materials available in Braille and also that are voice activated would be very important to the learning process of the individual. Another benefit is the opportunity to learn about another market-gardening from materials that are located in the library. Conclusion The sources of knowledge and information for the modern day patron are no longer isolated to printed materials and the traditional library. Even the traditional librarian has undergone a huge change.Programs like advocacy coupled with te chnologies such Library 2.0 are able to draw in more interested parties and with the help of a certified librarian the possibilities to new knowledge are expounded. The more the patrons become familiarized with the materials and how to get them the more time the librarian can take on improving his or her own skills concerning. In the near future there may be no need for these gladiators of the new library world.It would be possible for throng to download information directly into their devices with a tutorial on how to use them. Only time will tell the wonders of this new media concerning libraries, librarians, and patrons. Lets keep our eyes open.ReferencesSpinks, A. (2009). Library Media Programs and Student Achievement. Retrieved May 13, 2013 from http//www. cobbk12. org/librarymedia/proof/research. pdf pass on of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). (n. d. ). School Library Media Programs and Teacher-Librarians. Retrieved May 13, 2013 from http//ww w. k12. wa. us/SchoolLibrary/ Wools, B. (2008).The school library media manager (4th ed. ). Westport, CT Libraries Unlimited. Vacek, R. (n. d. ). applied science Trends in Libraries Today & Tomorrow. Retrieved May 13, 2013 from http//www. slideshare. net/vacekrae/technology-trends-in-libraries-today-tomorrow.