The article I read was entitled, "When Schools Close, the Knowledge Gap Grows," and it basically discussed what majority of Americans know, but many times choose to avoid. There is a massive achievement gap between poor, middle, and wealthy children. The evidence from the article states that even when children are provided with equal access to resources and materials, poor children will still be exposed to less words, less resources, and ultimately learn less, which makes the achievement gap larger. The article specifically discusses how children from low income families get less direction, attention, and direction from adults in their family, which causes even more of a gap. The article ends with common known information that this achievement gap will only increase because students from poorer families do not have access to computers, books, and information in their homes. This is where the article suggests that the adults that understand this factor, specifically, librarians and educators try their best to expose these children to as much information and resources as possible during the school day.
Citation:
Celano, D. & Neuman, S. B. (2008). When schools close, the knowledge gap grows. Phi Delta Kappan , 90(4), 256-262.
Prompt Selected:
AASL calls for the flexible scheduling of school libraries and school librarians' time. What has your experience with the library scheduling been and why do you think this is?
Reflection:
"We found that many poor children have little access to any print materials, including books, newspapers, and magazines. For example, book availability for middle-class children was about 12 books per child; in poor neighborhoods, about one book was available for every 355 children.2 Poor children traditionally have less access to computers as well" (Celano, 2008). This fact was astounding to me, but made me realize the importance of ensuring that the library has flexible scheduling. Students from poorer homes do not have access to the same amount of materials as wealthier children, so if the librarian only allows students to enter the library at certain times, or only during class time, when can the student be allowed to peruse information on his/her own to receive the individualized attention necessary to break this achievement gap?
In several of the schools where I have been employed the librarian has had a structured schedule, and students or teachers were permitted to enter during any other time. This is an old world view of librarianship, and should be completely eliminated. Students who feel neglected at home, and refused by the librarian at school, will get accustomed to the rejection, and will not return because of the negative or closed-door reaction. "This gap is rooted not in the classroom, but in the learning children do outside of school, including after-school hours, weekends, holidays, and summer breaks. Living in the Information Age, children today gain a remarkable amount of knowledge through their daily reading of books, computers, and other materials on their own time" (Celano, 2008). Just having access to the computer to simply familiarize themselves with the controls is extremely important. It is the beginning of knowledge, and the breaking down of the barriers.
As a future librarian, I will utilize an open library system, where students will feel free to come into the library on their own time, in the morning before school, during lunch, during class with a pass from a teacher, and after school. This type of open format just may bridge the knowledge gap. The student will eventually become comfortable enough with the librarian to begin to pose questions, ask for help, and eventually learned to research as well as his/her wealthier counterparts. I remember being one of those kids who did not feel welcome in the library. This is a new world, a new time, and a different approach is required. The article ends by stating that, "poor children also need enhanced direction from adult mentors if they are to keep up with their more advantaged peers" (Celano, 2008). If the librarian takes on this position as the adult mentor that is missing from the poor students life, who knows who they could become, maybe the president?
Reflection #2: Module 6 Physical and Virtual Access
Summary:
This article was highly informative; It detailed exactly what is necessary for a library website. Walbert provided assistance to new librarians by informing them that a complicated website is not necessary, which is the most likely the primary fear of most librarians. He details how to get started when beginning the first steps in creating a website. He compares it to a functional library. He also informs the reader that the detailed technology should be left up to the web designer, not the librarian. There are example websites provided to display what is considered positive and negative forms of information. Towards the end of the article, Walbert states that librarians can utilize alternative means of websites like blogs, and other mediums. He provides Wordpress as an example. Finally, he provides six precise needs that summarize his article, and this information will keep a librarian's site functional.
Why is it important for all school libraries to have well-developed websites?
Reflection:
"Standard IV. Learner-Centered Library Environment: (2) Develop and maintain a flexible, functional, and barrier-free library facility that conforms to national and state library standards; (3) Provide a safe, secure environment that is age-appropriate; (5) Promote access to resources and information during and beyond the instructional day and school year" (Texas Library Standards, 2005). Librarians must ensure that his/her website is apart of the 21 Century Standards, and this can be only done by maintaining access to the librarian's information beyond the instructional day. How can a librarian expect to compete with Google and other major search engines if he/she does not provide access to materials and resources outside of the instructional day? "Barrier free," is utilized in the Texas Library Standards, and this word is probably the most important description in the entire statement. If the student has the ability to download a book, or have access to research information, why should that be limited to the library hours only?
I recall several years ago, being in undergrad, and needing a book to complete some research prior to the library closing. The lights began to dim, and were suddenly were turned off. Students were told to check out their books, and exit quickly. In many situations, my research paper was due the following day. I had no problem pulling an, "all nighter"; unfortunately, once the library closed backed then, so did your research. But, with the advancement of technology, students are no longer limited to those, "walls". They can will do research with or without the local school library. In order to competitive with these entities, the librarian must have a web presence, and students, parents, and teachers should have consistent access.
"In order to build a good, usable website for your school library, you need to think in two very different ways. First, you need to think like a librarian. What do your patrons need, and how can you best serve them?" (Walbert, n.d.) As a future librarian in a modern society, I must think about what patrons need. That has to include a modern website. This can best serve them beyond normal business hours, and provides access to information that they would otherwise not have access to after hours. "Think of your website as an extension of your physical media center." (Walbert, n.d.) A well-developed website will be an extension of the library, simple, well-organized, easy to access, and provides tons of information. This will help to maintain a connection with the patron, and ensure that the library is competitive with outside information providers.
Summary:
The article I read was entitled, "When Schools Close, the Knowledge Gap Grows," and it basically discussed what majority of Americans know, but many times choose to avoid. There is a massive achievement gap between poor, middle, and wealthy children. The evidence from the article states that even when children are provided with equal access to resources and materials, poor children will still be exposed to less words, less resources, and ultimately learn less, which makes the achievement gap larger. The article specifically discusses how children from low income families get less direction, attention, and direction from adults in their family, which causes even more of a gap. The article ends with common known information that this achievement gap will only increase because students from poorer families do not have access to computers, books, and information in their homes. This is where the article suggests that the adults that understand this factor, specifically, librarians and educators try their best to expose these children to as much information and resources as possible during the school day.
Citation:
Celano, D. & Neuman, S. B. (2008). When schools close, the knowledge gap grows. Phi Delta Kappan , 90(4), 256-262.
Prompt Selected:
AASL calls for the flexible scheduling of school libraries and school librarians' time. What has your experience with the library scheduling been and why do you think this is?
Reflection:
"We found that many poor children have little access to any print materials, including books, newspapers, and magazines. For example, book availability for middle-class children was about 12 books per child; in poor neighborhoods, about one book was available for every 355 children.2
Poor children traditionally have less access to computers as well" (Celano, 2008). This fact was astounding to me, but made me realize the importance of ensuring that the library has flexible scheduling. Students from poorer homes do not have access to the same amount of materials as wealthier children, so if the librarian only allows students to enter the library at certain times, or only during class time, when can the student be allowed to peruse information on his/her own to receive the individualized attention necessary to break this achievement gap?
In several of the schools where I have been employed the librarian has had a structured schedule, and students or teachers were permitted to enter during any other time. This is an old world view of librarianship, and should be completely eliminated. Students who feel neglected at home, and refused by the librarian at school, will get accustomed to the rejection, and will not return because of the negative or closed-door reaction. "This gap is rooted not in the classroom, but in the learning children do outside of school, including after-school hours, weekends, holidays, and summer breaks. Living in the Information Age, children today gain a remarkable amount of knowledge through their daily reading of books, computers, and other materials on their own time" (Celano, 2008). Just having access to the computer to simply familiarize themselves with the controls is extremely important. It is the beginning of knowledge, and the breaking down of the barriers.
As a future librarian, I will utilize an open library system, where students will feel free to come into the library on their own time, in the morning before school, during lunch, during class with a pass from a teacher, and after school. This type of open format just may bridge the knowledge gap. The student will eventually become comfortable enough with the librarian to begin to pose questions, ask for help, and eventually learned to research as well as his/her wealthier counterparts. I remember being one of those kids who did not feel welcome in the library. This is a new world, a new time, and a different approach is required. The article ends by stating that, "poor children also need enhanced direction from adult mentors if they are to keep up with their more advantaged peers" (Celano, 2008). If the librarian takes on this position as the adult mentor that is missing from the poor students life, who knows who they could become, maybe the president?
Reflection #2: Module 6 Physical and Virtual Access
Summary:
This article was highly informative; It detailed exactly what is necessary for a library website. Walbert provided assistance to new librarians by informing them that a complicated website is not necessary, which is the most likely the primary fear of most librarians. He details how to get started when beginning the first steps in creating a website. He compares it to a functional library. He also informs the reader that the detailed technology should be left up to the web designer, not the librarian. There are example websites provided to display what is considered positive and negative forms of information. Towards the end of the article, Walbert states that librarians can utilize alternative means of websites like blogs, and other mediums. He provides Wordpress as an example. Finally, he provides six precise needs that summarize his article, and this information will keep a librarian's site functional.
Citation:
Web: Walbert, D. (n.d.). Best practices in school library website design. Retrieved from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/969.
Prompt Selected:
Why is it important for all school libraries to have well-developed websites?
Reflection:
"Standard IV. Learner-Centered Library Environment: (2) Develop and maintain a flexible, functional, and barrier-free library facility that conforms to national and state library standards; (3) Provide a safe, secure environment that is age-appropriate; (5) Promote access to resources and information during and beyond the instructional day and school year" (Texas Library Standards, 2005). Librarians must ensure that his/her website is apart of the 21 Century Standards, and this can be only done by maintaining access to the librarian's information beyond the instructional day. How can a librarian expect to compete with Google and other major search engines if he/she does not provide access to materials and resources outside of the instructional day? "Barrier free," is utilized in the Texas Library Standards, and this word is probably the most important description in the entire statement. If the student has the ability to download a book, or have access to research information, why should that be limited to the library hours only?
I recall several years ago, being in undergrad, and needing a book to complete some research prior to the library closing. The lights began to dim, and were suddenly were turned off. Students were told to check out their books, and exit quickly. In many situations, my research paper was due the following day. I had no problem pulling an, "all nighter"; unfortunately, once the library closed backed then, so did your research. But, with the advancement of technology, students are no longer limited to those, "walls". They can will do research with or without the local school library. In order to competitive with these entities, the librarian must have a web presence, and students, parents, and teachers should have consistent access.
"In order to build a good, usable website for your school library, you need to think in two very different ways. First, you need to think like a librarian. What do your patrons need, and how can you best serve them?" (Walbert, n.d.) As a future librarian in a modern society, I must think about what patrons need. That has to include a modern website. This can best serve them beyond normal business hours, and provides access to information that they would otherwise not have access to after hours. "Think of your website as an extension of your physical media center." (Walbert, n.d.) A well-developed website will be an extension of the library, simple, well-organized, easy to access, and provides tons of information. This will help to maintain a connection with the patron, and ensure that the library is competitive with outside information providers.