According to me, the library is a library (with information and knowledge resources), whether it is attached to a school or college or a research organization. In fact a school library's readers/users need more efficient services compared to other libraries. Why do we continue to be complacent about the importance of School Libraries and children's information requirements? It is high time we need to strengthen school libraries and information centres, for a student well trained for information usage / browsing leads to better information users in other libraries.
Article Place of School Library in Progressive Methods of Teaching
If Librarianship has to flourish as a full fledged profession, librarians need to strengthen school library services. This will lead towards a sound foundation of Librarianship and its standing in Society. Next category of libraries to be addressed is public libraries ..... and then rest all.
Many users and librarians are not aware that personal interaction (PI) is above any mechanical/digital interaction. PI is the source of satisfaction. A digital software, when "asked" a question and does not "have" the answer, replies: PRESS F1. So, human interaction, based on strong library services, represents the way to go. Certainly, not alone, but by using tools as tools, not as "modern" totems.
True. Personal Interaction Dimension is very important for Library Service. Thanks
Interesting question.
Could it be
• The lack of understanding on the role of school libraries in education?
• The lack of research-based evidence on the contributions of school libraries?
• The lack of initiative by school librarians?
• The lack of training among school librarians?
• The lack of time by school librarians to carry out their duties?
• The lack of support from other teachers and principals (the school librarian tries his/her best, but there is no support from others)?
• The over-focus on examination results among students and parents, that what the school library can offer is less important?
and many other possibilities.
Each of these may apply in a different situation.
What is your experience? What, in your view, is the MAIN reason?
An interesting question. It depends to some extent on how you define 'neglect of school libraries'. If by this you mean that librarians should be licenced in some way as are teachers then a campaign to achieve this is gathering strength in the UK. I suspect that the problem is a wider one relating to issues of professional status and perception of professional status. Until or unless librarianship more widely becomes a reguilated profession then I suspect it will continue to suffer 'neglect' or at the very least a lower status than other professions such as medicine.
what do others think?
Thank you Judith and Diljit. The whole idea of posing this question was to emphasize on the importance of School Libraries and School Education..... and then relate the same on the level of status of the LIS Profession. The core concern is whenever we talk about status of librarianship ... we talk about University Libraries or Research Libraries. This focus is not at all enough to gain the professional status ... much due since long. As long as Libraries in Villages and Tribes don't get developed .... as long as public libraries continue to get neglected .... we cannot as librarians .. imagine of an enhancement in our prestige and status in society. I REQUEST LIBRARIANS TO READ BOOKS AND ARTICLES ON SOCIOLOGY OF PROFESSIONS. I LOOK FORWARD FOR YOUR FEED BACK IN THIS REGARD. BEST WISHES.
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