Changed But Still Critical: Brick and Mortar Libraries in the Digital Age
Today’s reality is that readers and information seekers are having increasingly less need to visit a physical library to meet their basic information needs. Digital information sources, readily accessed from classroom, home or mobile computing devices, are the choice of many learners and teachers. Today's student increasingly prefers the visual and the virtual rather than the printed text. Why, many educators are asking, does a school need a physical library when seemingly all resources can be obtained using an inexpensive device and a wireless network connection? How can these large physical spaces in our schools be re-purposed for greater educational impact?
Slideshow (school libraries)
Slideshow (public libraries)
Padlet space to share comments
Resources:
Changed but Still Critical Part One
Changed but Still Critical Part Two
Game on! (Games in schools and libraries)
“Why Do I Still Need a Library When I Have One in My Pocket?: The Teacher-Librarian’s Role in 1:1/BYOD Learning Environments" (with Jennifer LaGarde), Teacher-Librarian, June 2014
List of links to my writings on school library design
Close the library? - Guest post by R. Cicchetti about her experience using the Learning Commons philosophy
Educause 7 Things You Should Know About the Modern Learning Commons, 2011
Davis and Kappler-Hewitt, "Australia's Campfires, Caves and Watering Holes" Leading & Learning, June/July 2013
Makerspaces: On Scanning the Road & Gently Easing the Brakes, Joyce Valenza, October 3, 2017
What should I buy for my new makerspace? Laura Fleming, EdSurge, Jan 3, 2017
Educause. 7 Things You Should Know About Makerspaces, April 2013
Five questions to ask yourself when planning a makerspace, Diana Rendina, 2014