Why librarians should be in charge of educational technology

If you want well and appropriately used educational technology in your school, turn its planning and implementation over to your library media specialists because they have:

1. A healthy attitude toward technology. The LMS considers and teaches not just how to use technology, but why and under what circumstances it should be used. (A sexist syllogism: Most librarians are women.  Women have a heathier attitude toward technology than men. Therefore most librarians have a healthy attitude toward technology.)

2. Good teaching skills. Unlike technicians they are more likely to use good pedagogical techniques and have more developed human relations and communication skills. Librarians are understanding and empathetic when technologically related stress occurs in the classroom.

3. An understanding of the use of technology in the information literacy process and its use in fostering higher level thinking skills. We view technology as just one more, extremely powerful tool that can be used by students completing well-designed information literacy projects. Many “technologists” are just now getting this.

4. Experience as skill integrators and collaborators. Integration of research and information literacy projects has been a long-term goal of school library programs, and as a result many LMSs have become excellent collaborators with classroom teaches, successfully strengthening the curriculum with information literacy projects. Librarians know kids, know technology and know what works.

5. Been models for the successful use of technology. The library’s automated library catalogs, circulation systems, electronic reference materials, and student accessible workstations all showed up well before classroom technologies. Teachers rightfully see the LMS as the educator with the most comfort with technology as well, which in turn bolsters their own self-confidence.

6. Provided in-building support. A flexibly scheduled LMS is a real asset to teachers learning to use or integrate technology. The LMS can work with the teacher in the library, lab or classroom. The LMS is available for questions that might otherwise derail a teacher’s application of technology. This as a primary advantage of the LMS as opposed to a classroom teacher having primary responsibility for staff development in technology.

7. A whole school view. Next to the principal, the LMS has the most inclusive view of the school and its resources. The LMS can make recommendations on where technology needs to be placed or upgraded as well as on what departments or teachers may need extra training and support in its use.

8. Concerns about the ethical use of technology. Students will need to have the skills to self-evaluate information; understand online copyright laws and intellectual property issues; and follow the rules of safety and appropriate use of resources. Who but the librarian worries about this stuff?

Your reasons why to turn tech over to librarians? 

Comments

[John Thompson]

Glad that you have such a positive view of your profession. Unfortunately, my prior K12 experience does not bear out your views or your assumptions or your conclusions, Doug. IMHO, it's not really the position or job title that is important. It's finding the right individual in each school. Putting any one job title in charge of tech based soley on the job title alone is suspect. Better to find that one right person and give him/her the respect and support to get the job done.

[Brian Crosby]

In some schools where I've taught I would agree - but in others (including where I am now) - I couldn't think of a worse person on staff to handle that responsibility. Elementary librarians in my district are not certified - are paid as classified employees - don't show up until the first day of school - library doesn't open until the second week of school - closed Monday mornings for librarian meetings - close the library 2 - 3 weeks before school is out to check in all the books and do inventory - leave after lunch the last day of school.

[Gwen Martin]

I knew I liked you for a good reason. Your reasons have great merit, and I would like to think that I am one of the librarians that teachers can count on. However, as one of the comments mentions, many librarians fall short. Why? Districts that are in need of saving money target librarians, mainly because they have no idea what we can do. A parent volunteer or an uncertified clerk is often substituted. Often it is a teacher that is sure they can be a librarian without coursework. After all, how hard can it be? Many of us have put in hours of coursework, workshops, and conferences in order to hone our skills. I bill myself as a librarian-teacher, as I have spent years in the classroom prior to training to be a librarian. Fortunately, in my last two positions I have had administrators that understand how valuable a certified librarian can be.
If you don't have one, get on your administration to hire one. If you have one that isn't in the game, so to speak, be vocal about what you want.
And as a last comment - I come to work in August when the other professionals do; I attend meetings that are required as other professionals do; I do an inventory as I am responsible for 33,000 items and my adminstration expects me to be accountable; and I leave on the last day of school as the other professionals do - with the exception that I have to wait for the last teacher to checkout before I can leave.
I apologize for the length of this reply, you obvious hit a nerve!

[Christopher Harris]

John, with all respect I would say that the job title (and the approach to the job that goes along with the title) are very important! I "escaped" from the inst. technology world a bit over a year ago and my worldview has changed quite a bit from being in the library world. Last week I was asked to present on new programs to technology coordinators from the region. As I sat waiting, I heard the tech coordiantors talking about nothing but security and locking things down. It wasn't about meeting student needs, but rather about preventing students from doing anything "bad." What a negative view, and so very different from the librarian perspective!

Brian, I am sorry to hear that your school doesn't have a certified librarian. Being in NY, where only secondary librarians are mandated, this is a huge issue. Still, I hope this post can provide additional ammunition for pushing for a certified librarian.

I agree that it has to be the right person - let's be honest, there are some bad <insert profession here> out there as well - but I think the unique training of a teacher-librarian makes them especailly suitied for USING the technology as Doug points out here.

Great post!

[GEB]

Absolutely right on the mark! Nice to know that in our area (upstate NY) the Technology Directors in 2 districts are librarians. They were given full, district-wide responsibility for technology decisions, planning, spending, staff development, and supervision of the technicians, including network administrators. This was done for all the reasons you listed.

[Craig]

I would have to agree that a library media specialist should be in charge of all technology in a school, if they do their job correctly. I properly trained media specialist has the tools to teach students and instructors how to use the technology and advance in learning. Media Specialists are taught to collaborate with instructors so they can utilize technology in their curriculum, not just use it to meet state standards. I’ll be the first to admit there are some media specialists who aren’t willing to put in the effort or still have the idea their sole responsibility is cataloging and shelving books, but many others can greatly improve who students learn and how educators teach. And for those of you out there who have a Media Specialist who’s stuck in the last decade I feel sorry for you, but in the same respect stay positive, they’ll probably retire soon.

[Vicki Davis]

I think that the person you describe should be determined by the characteristics not the job title. If a person has all of the characteristics you describe, they are perfect for implementing technology.

There are unfortunately, some librarians who are so difficult to work with and short sighted that they will not implement a new technology until it was written about in their favorite library journal five years a go.

I agree with your characteristics but not necessarily the job title assigned with those characteristics.

I'm sure in your school, it is you. However, in my school it wouldn't be.

[Craig]

I agree the person in charge of technology needs the characteristics described above and not necessarily the title of librarian. But…unfortunately most districts won’t employ someone just as technology coordinator, they usually have to teach classes also. These “other” commitments restrict their collaboration abilities with other teachers in the district. Technology coordinators should have the time to teach students how to research, use academic databases, Technology coordinators should also have the time to work with teachers, plan in-services, set up systems like podcasting and class websites etc. If your district has the money or is big enough for both a librarian and a technology coordinator that’s perfect. But if not, I’m sure anyone who has regular classes doesn’t have time to make this stuff happens. And this stuff needs to happen…students are graduating high school and are researching with google and some teachers are making over $50,000 a year and barely can use a computer. Like I said before, I’ll be the first to admit some librarians are behind the times, but this will turn over eventually. And anyone who is making this stuff happen in a school I have respect for, if they are a librarian or not.

[Lyza]

Interesting perspective on where technology should be lead in the school. I can see where you are coming from with all of your points, and they are very good reasons that should be looked at. I also see a big importance in allowing the teacher to effectivly use the computer and other technologies in the classroom. First and foremost they should be introducing the concept of computers. I can see librarians as effective tools in administering and guiding the students in a way that will complement the teacher. I guess adding another role to a librarian could become tough, yet in the same way in the future possibly library's will become extinct and the internet will have all the information that a school will ever need. So I guess looking towards the future librarians will become the new Educational tech's, yet with a softer side where they can be more on the students level.

[Alan E.]

In your Point #1 (which I can assume was your most important point to make since you listed it first) you make the statement: "A sexist syllogism: Most librarians are women. Women have a heathier attitude toward technology than men. Therefore most librarians have a healthy attitude toward technology."

Let's ask these men about their attitudes toward technology...

...Bill Gates,
Dan Bricklin,
Tim Berners-Lee,
Doug Engelbart,
Ted Codd,
Paul Allen,
Steve Jobs,
Steve Wozniak,
Larry Page,
Sergey Brin,
Linus Torvalds,
Kames Gosling,
Richard Stallman,
...need I go on?