Comments on: Divisions, dogma, and just doing a good job http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/ A librarian, writer and tech geek reflecting on the profession and the tools we use to serve our patrons Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:59:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Terry http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-182542 Terry Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:54:56 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/index.php/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/#comment-182542 Ann's comment is so true but we've got to continue to push forward over time with the K-12 group. How do we get students ready for the virtual communicating that will absolutely have to do in college if they haven't had experience in social communities--at school, with adult supervision--in high school? Ann’s comment is so true but we’ve got to continue to push forward over time with the K-12 group.

How do we get students ready for the virtual communicating that will absolutely have to do in college if they haven’t had experience in social communities–at school, with adult supervision–in high school?

]]> By: Ann Ewbank http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-182453 Ann Ewbank Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:46:22 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/index.php/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/#comment-182453 I think you have to look at the source of the post- the AASL Blog. K-12 land does have unique challenges when it comes to implementing any 2.0 tools. Most schools get their technology infrastructure dollars using E-Rate, which has the pesky CIPA caveat attached to it. So social tools like blogs are often blocked by the prohibitive filters at the district level. Librarians usually don't have the ability to override the filters; rather, the school district-level IT coordinator does, who may or may not have a background in teaching or education and understand that 2.0 tools can be used for educational purposes. So there's a lot of bureaucracy that K-12 librarians face when implementing 2.0 style initiatives. Add to that the "in loco parentis" rule, where the librarian is responsible for the safety and well-being of the students, and the administration comes down hard on you personally when a student sees something they are not supposed to see, or is approached by someone online, etc. For many K-12 librarians, the risks and challeneges far outweigh the benefits of using social tools. That's not to say it's not being done, and done well, but please keep in mind that school libraries do provide unique challenges whhen it comes to things 2.0. Respectfully, Ann Ewbank Former School Librarian President, Arizona Library Association I think you have to look at the source of the post- the AASL Blog. K-12 land does have unique challenges when it comes to implementing any 2.0 tools. Most schools get their technology infrastructure dollars using E-Rate, which has the pesky CIPA caveat attached to it. So social tools like blogs are often blocked by the prohibitive filters at the district level. Librarians usually don’t have the ability to override the filters; rather, the school district-level IT coordinator does, who may or may not have a background in teaching or education and understand that 2.0 tools can be used for educational purposes.

So there’s a lot of bureaucracy that K-12 librarians face when implementing 2.0 style initiatives. Add to that the “in loco parentis” rule, where the librarian is responsible for the safety and well-being of the students, and the administration comes down hard on you personally when a student sees something they are not supposed to see, or is approached by someone online, etc.

For many K-12 librarians, the risks and challeneges far outweigh the benefits of using social tools. That’s not to say it’s not being done, and done well, but please keep in mind that school libraries do provide unique challenges whhen it comes to things 2.0.

Respectfully,

Ann Ewbank
Former School Librarian
President, Arizona Library Association

]]> By: val forrestal http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-182440 val forrestal Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:01:18 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/index.php/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/#comment-182440 Great post! I feel like I tried to make a similar point at <a href="http://librarycampnyc.wikispaces.com/" rel="nofollow">Library Camp NYC</a> last week, and was afterwards referred to as 'anti-web 2.0', which is really funny to anyone who knows how obsessed I am with emerging technologies in general. My point was simply that it is helpful to keep current on internet technologies, so as to be able to suggest useful applications when the user has a need. Thus the need comes first, then the technology, not the other way around. You don't need to go around willy-nilly implementing every technology out there just to do it, but you can't help solve a problem without knowledge about problem-solving tools. Great post! I feel like I tried to make a similar point at Library Camp NYC last week, and was afterwards referred to as ‘anti-web 2.0′, which is really funny to anyone who knows how obsessed I am with emerging technologies in general.
My point was simply that it is helpful to keep current on internet technologies, so as to be able to suggest useful applications when the user has a need. Thus the need comes first, then the technology, not the other way around. You don’t need to go around willy-nilly implementing every technology out there just to do it, but you can’t help solve a problem without knowledge about problem-solving tools.

]]> By: R C N http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-182439 R C N Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:04:05 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/index.php/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/#comment-182439 Thank you for your voice of reason! I share your guilty pleasure in regularly reading the Annoyed Librarian - a blog which, in its humorous negativity, helps to balance out the sometimes strident opinions of vocal Library 2.0 supporters. As in the old "Give 'em what they want vs. give 'em what they need" argument, our choices do not have to be either/or, but rather can be a healthy and invigorating blend of both, for the benefit of our library users. Thank you for your voice of reason! I share your guilty pleasure in regularly reading the Annoyed Librarian – a blog which, in its humorous negativity, helps to balance out the sometimes strident opinions of vocal Library 2.0 supporters. As in the old “Give ‘em what they want vs. give ‘em what they need” argument, our choices do not have to be either/or, but rather can be a healthy and invigorating blend of both, for the benefit of our library users.

]]> By: Jonathan http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-182438 Jonathan Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:47:16 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/index.php/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/#comment-182438 A very thought provoking post Meredith. Your focus on patron needs, and comfort with technology is something we should NEVER lose sight of when it comes to the 2.0 movement. A very thought provoking post Meredith. Your focus on patron needs, and comfort with technology is something we should NEVER lose sight of when it comes to the 2.0 movement.

]]> By: Meredith Farkas http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-182437 Meredith Farkas Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:09:03 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/index.php/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/#comment-182437 Hi John. I currently have it only open to people in the program because I'm not sure they'd be comfortable with it being public. I'll probably wait a semester and then address it with the students and faculty to see if they'd be ok with it. If I do make it public, I'll definitely announce that on my blog. I'd be happy to share the pw with you privately if you'd like. Just drop me an e-mail and let me know you want it. While I'm all about information being free, some people are still very uncomfortable posting to something that everyone can see. Hi John. I currently have it only open to people in the program because I’m not sure they’d be comfortable with it being public. I’ll probably wait a semester and then address it with the students and faculty to see if they’d be ok with it. If I do make it public, I’ll definitely announce that on my blog.

I’d be happy to share the pw with you privately if you’d like. Just drop me an e-mail and let me know you want it.

While I’m all about information being free, some people are still very uncomfortable posting to something that everyone can see.

]]> By: John Russell http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-182436 John Russell Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:41:56 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/index.php/2007/08/22/divisions-dogma-and-just-doing-a-good-job/#comment-182436 Meredith, is the military history resource sharing site open to people not in the class? I'd be interested in seeing what resources the students are finding and might be able to suggest other resources that they might not know about (though I'm sure I'll learn more from them than they from me). Meredith, is the military history resource sharing site open to people not in the class? I’d be interested in seeing what resources the students are finding and might be able to suggest other resources that they might not know about (though I’m sure I’ll learn more from them than they from me).

]]>