In the Digital Age, What Becomes of the Library?

Nashville’s Main Public Library, located in a stately building in the heart of downtown, has a children’s section filled with comfortable sitting areas, oversized art, and a state-of-the-art theater for puppet shows and interactive story time. On a recent afternoon, children of varying ages were sitting or lying on the carpet, reading alongside rows of books lined on two-tiered shelves perfectly sized for little hands. Two grade-school children sat at a row of computers, playing a learning game, while parents and caregivers checked out books via computer. That timeless feeling, said library director Kent Oliver, is because reading, regardless of format, continues to be important. A recent Pew Internet study on parents, reading and libraries supports Oliver’s sentiment, showing the library’s traditional purpose – providing free reading material – is also its most popular: the main reason most parents (87 percent) go to libraries is to get books for their kids. But will that be changing?

The Disinterested Leader: In the Library "Why aren't people interested in my agenda? Don't they know that it's the best for students and staff?" The questions aren't uncommon among librarians, as Doug's recent blog post highlights: The short answer: Figure out what the principal believes is important for you to do - then do it. This means creating a program that helps meet the goals and solve the problems in your school, NOT creating a program that meets AASL standards necessarily. It means deliberately learning what is important to your principal and then effectively communicating how you are contributing to those important issues. It's easy to misunderstand Doug's short answer...it seems a bit of a sell-out at first glance, doesn't it? In a previous blog entry, The Disinterested Leader, I shared the power of disinterest. The Crucial Conversations and Confrontations books advocate asking questiosn that that help us do a gut check: What do I really want for myself? 1) What do I really want for myself?

Library Technology Guides: Key Resources in Library Automation SBLG-Toolbox - home