Future of Libraries

Module 7

Funding is absolutely vital for libraries to succeed into the future. School collections have been and are now more than ever, going to be under pressure for funding. Technology is expensive and funding must be generous to facilitate these necessary but generally large changes. Just a thought but perhaps education will be forced  to seek further funding through sponsorship. Perhaps our libraries will be running advertisements to assist our collections. Publishers and technology providers may take advantage of these possible opportunities and schools may well be using book trailers for example to promote their sales and therefore assist schools with funding collections.I don't know if I like the idea, but advertising has invaded technology already. Will it invade schools in the future?.

I think school libraries will always remain vital  institutions. Nothing can replace the experience of a  picture book read by a passionate teacher or parent. As long as we address the changes in print formats and incorporate new  technologies and move with the times I think libraries will remain relevant.Collections will contain more digital and e -resources and the challenge for TL's will be to manage these changing collections.

 Freeman points out in his chapter ‘Changes in Learning Patterns, Collections, Technology, and Use’CSU  Module 7, that school libraries must remain dynamic and provide spaces which continue to stimulate its users

The vision of the principal is extremely important.  Government school funding is linked with the number of students not necessarily the needs of the students. This is a severely limiting factor on the effectiveness and impact of   libraries and their influence in  students learning and recreational reading. We rely heavily on the professionalism and enthusiasm of the teacher librarian to make the difference when funding is inadequate. Once again advocacy and promotion of libraries to the funding bodies and senior authorities and governements is extremely important.
Interesting  video found on nzert (New Zealand e reading taskforce) website.Is this what a future school library will look like?

Douglas County Libraries Digital Branch