The Demise of School Libraries - by Lauren Lane

School libraries have come a long way from being that place that students would use occasionally to check out a book to read for a book report.  This is part technology motivated but it’s also motivated by school libraries budgetary constraints.  According to an article from Education Week, “school libraries are struggling to secure the money needed to continue programs and provide services to schools as they compete with other educational priorities,”(Ash).   As school funding and budgets get tight, less money goes around to programs and things, such as school libraries, that budget makers find less important.  This has made school libraries need to be creative to make school libraries essential to make sure they aren’t cut out the budget altogether.

So how do you do that?  Technology!  Technology is an ever changing field and school libraries are embracing it.  Many school libraries are trying to make the school library a place for collaboration and a “project-based” place, (Ash).  Children are in world of Internet, YouTube, smart phones, etc. so school libraries are embracing that and changing what you normally think of when you think of a school library.  Many libraries are using their physical space different to attract students to the library, for example some are using the library as “a performance space where students can share their work with parents, peers, and teachers,” (Ash).  Also school libraries are making themselves known on the web.  “Virtual spaces are growing exponentially because you have to get to the kids 24/7,” (Ash).  Making their presence online allows students to log in and find information from databases, connect with library staff for help and much more.  Making the virtual space a place where kids can go for any homework help or research help, makes the school library that much more essential.

Maker spaces are also essential today to keep up with our technology as well as a useful tool to get students to visit the school library.  Maker spaces allows students to have fun, make stuff and learn all at the same time and in a safe environment.  This attracts students who might not have gone in to their school library.  It also catches attentions of parents who might donate items, time or money to the school library to keep these kinds of programs going.  Check out this video about a New Jersey high school and their maker space.  The possibilities are endless!

With budgetary cuts and tightening of the belt, school libraries need to think outside of the traditional physical realm of books and create opportunities for students to use the library virtually as well as using the physical space in new and different ways.  This can prevent the demise of school libraries as well as start a potential renaissance.

Works Cited:

Ash, Kate. “School Libraries Seek Relevance Through Virtual Access; Librarians’ Roles Shifting to   Address the Demand for Quality Online Content.” Education Week 10 Feb.2010: 10. Opposing           Viewpoints in Context. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.

To check out the article in full: School Libraries Seek Relevance Through Virtual Access; Librarians' Roles Shifting to Address the Demand for Quality Online Content - Opposing Viewpoints in Context