Part of the Team

"Information networks straddle the world. Nothing remains concealed. But the sheer volume of information dissolves the information. We are unable to take it all in." -Gunther Grass

David Warlick started it. His request for comments on "what does Web 2.0 mean to the school library?" inspired me to compose a short but brilliant response...which I couldn't post on my school network, because it routinely blocks any attempt at "interactive" activities.

After returning home at the end of a long, interesting day, I checked in at Twitter, scrolled through Google Reader, and came across a few more edtech postings relevant to Library 2.0.

Carolyn Foote twittered about a free School 2.0 map. The graphic was nicely done - except that it failed to include School Librarians (SLMS) in the circle of people collaborating to help students achieve success. Yes, we are Teachers; but we are also Technologists and Policymakers. I informed the creators of the site that I intend to have my artist husband create a "mini-me" to paste on the poster, suitably labeled. No way I'm going to be left out of that visual!

Over at the Thinking Stick, Jeff Utecht shared a diagram that illustrates the structure necessary to support technology in schools. He described the evolution of Librarian into Literacy/Media specialist and flatly stated that " No matter how you slice it, a school should have a Literacy/Media Specialist" working as a team member along with the Educational Technologists, and Information Technologists. The team's job would be to support the overall use of technology in the school: "from professional development for staff, to teaching research skills to students, to making sure that the network systems are running smoothly."

Librarian, leader and visionary Joyce Valenza has embraced technology. Her wiki, Information Fluency, serves as a constantly expanding repository for information technology resources.

The 21st century Library Media Specialist is no longer just a guardian of knowledge or an all-knowing guru, but more a guide and companion on the search for information. That's my answer to David: Web 2.0 means that the Library is now a concept more than a place. It's not constrained by time or space. Libraries provide resources for living an enriched and networked life. And Librarians exist to help make the necessary connections.

"Not having the information you need when you need it leaves you wanting. Not knowing where to look for that information leaves you powerless. In a society where information is king, none of us can afford that." -Lois Horowitz