The Future of Libraries?

Sunday, 1^st April2012:

Hay, L. & Todd, R. (2010). School Libraries 21C: The Conversation Begins. Scan, 29 (1), 30-42.

What a fascinating article that gives an enlightening peek at what a school library of the (not too distant) future will/ should look like. The moderated blog, with Colleen Foley as leader, gave 25 people the opportunity to re-imagine the library of the future. Some exciting principles evolved as a result:

·        Fluid library design allowing for personalised learning styles

·        Blended learning environment – physical and digital learning spaces

·        Learning centre focused on building capacity for critical thought

·        Centre of innovation where teachers and TL’s creatively design together to promote best outcomes for children

·        Learning environment demonstrating the power of pedagogical fusion

·        Technology to support conversation, inquiry and discovery

·        Balanced print and digital collections to support literacy learning

To enable these things to occur the learning needs of the school need to be the “core business” of the TL (as opposed to information collection and management). The TL must be seen to collaborate with the whole school community to inform practise and be a “leader in learning” who is pro-active and engages in horizon scanning.

Invisibility of outcomes-> invisibility of role-> invisibility of need for TL’s!!!

The library of the future requires changes from not just the TL but also at school level and system level to achieve success. The 16 recommendations made as a result of the discussion require action for change on all levels.