Without Libraries What Are We?
"Without libraries what have we? We have not post and no future." -Ray Bradbury
April 20-21 I had the privilege of attending the Oregon Library Association Spring Conference in Salem. Part of my role at ODE includes supporting school librarians, and serving on the State Library of Oregon Board. Attending the conference was an important reminder of the vital role that libraries play in a healthy democracy. It was a pleasure to meet librarians from both public and school library systems, and listen to them share some of the important work they are doing to support students (and the public) have free and open access to information.
In the age of e-readers, and digital content many people predicted the death of the library as we know them. However, reporter, Linton Weeks, reminds us that "In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties and teach us to swim." Indeed, our libraries, both in our communities and in our buildings, provide our students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate what are becoming very muddy waters. So the question we must ask ourselves is this - Are we making the most of this important resource? Are we teaching our students to access and use this important resource? Are we working with our school librarians, so they can pass on their valuable research skills, and knowledge of databases? Are we taking advantage of some of the incredible resources our State Library has to offer like Answerland and OSLIS. Our libraries and librarians have so much to offer our students, are we making sure they are an essential component of our teaching and learning framework.
Beyond our building, how we connecting to our public libraries to create pathways to access library cards, and resources. I had the honor of listening to a presentation from the Albany School District. They are working with their local library to provide easy pathways to library cards, including allowing students to opt into a program that allows students to use their student body cards as library cards. Librarians from other districts, like the Salem-Keizer, are working with their local community college academic librarians to teach students important writing and research skills. For many of our students, the public library is a key resource. It can provide a quiet place to study, a world of print material, and access to technology. Indeed, many of our students are currently living in book desserts, and our libraries are an oasis of information.
Of course, we also know that these times are proving difficult for our libraries, both on and off campus. Budget cuts, and failed tax measures sometimes means a community loses this important resource. But as journalist Carlos Maria Dominguez said "To build up a library is to create a life. It's never just a random collection of books." Our libraries are a life worth fighting for. As a citizens...As a community...We have to be willing to fight to keep these resources alive.
