Lee Raine of Pew Internet: School Libraries Work
April 7th, 2008 by Christopher HarrisI am at Computers in Libraries listening to the opening keynote from Lee Raine of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. He just made a great followup point to clarify some of the research that found that young people are some of the strongest users of libraries. Why?
Noting this was suggested but not directly supported by research, Raine suggested that it was because young users (18-30) have had the most recent use of libraries as information sources in school. School libraries and teacher-librarians that that provide successful library experiences for young adults are, Raine believes, the reason that 18-30 year olds are the strongest users of public libraries for information.
That’s a big responsibility we face, but I know that we are up for it!
edit: fixed the spelling on the name. thanks, glen
April 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
[...] meer over de keynote bij: Deetjes Gerard Bierens Infomancy Librarianinblack RSS4Lib What I learned today Posted in Evenementen. Tags: CIL2008, keynote, Lee [...]
April 15th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Hi Chris, I just wanted to point out that there is a huge amount of serious research showing the contribution that school libraries make in the academic lives of students. My post with the link to School Librraies Work! published by Scholastic summariizing the 19 current studies is here:
http://thefishbits.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/school-libraries-work-the-proof-is-here-get-some/
Brad
April 16th, 2008 at 7:26 am
That is indeed a great document, Brad. I carry a copy with me pretty much all the time to share with school administrators. What I was most excited to hear from Lee Raines, however, was the connection that school libraries make students better users of public libraries!
April 16th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Chris,
The idea that kids are good users of public libraries is important. I surmise that the kids who come from an area where the school and public library work together are more liekely to be the strongest users of the public library. When the public library actively engages the teachers and school librarian (if there is one) great things happen in support of the students. In some cases the collaboratiion drives usage, in others I think the public library supports a weak school library program and the families turn to the public for materials and support. I try to encourage this cooperation and collaboration as I work with both school and public libraries.
Some of my ideas are here: http://thefishbits.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/school-and-public-libraries-work-together-would-be-best-part-1/
May 27th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Just a correction. The name is Lee Rainie rather than Lee Raines
January 21st, 2009 at 11:13 am
Oh, it’s real, I know!
January 21st, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Real post =)
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:33 am
Super! I’ll make simliar post in my blog
January 27th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Looking for info concerning the importance of having both classroom libraries and school libraries. I’ve been a school librarian for twenty years have seen it all.Schools where a main library did not exist therefore it was necessary to divide up the growing collection amongst classrooms. Problem this year using government grant
funding for school libraries for classroom libraries. Have to
provide important info to teachers the end of this week. It seems the main issue from some teachers is that they can not find the time to bring their kids to the library.
Since the formation of classroom libraries the popularity of the school library has deminished. While other teachers who use the library enjoy the collection and do not have a problem with the school library. Desperately need some pros and cons for both options :classroom vs. school libraries
KL
January 27th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Looking for info concerning the importance of having both classroom libraries and school libraries. I’ve been a school librarian for twenty years have seen it all.Schools where a main library did not exist therefore it was necessary to divide up the growing collection amongst classrooms. Problem this year using government grant
funding for school libraries for classroom libraries. Have to
provide important info to teachers the end of this week. It seems the main issue from some teachers is that they can not find the time to bring their kids to the library.
Since the formation of classroom libraries the popularity of the school library has deminished. While other teachers who use the library enjoy the collection and do not have a problem with the school library. Desperately need some pros and cons for both options :classroom vs. school libraries
KL