-
School libraries RIP? The debate begins . . .
Thursday 3 February 2011
Categories: Education, Technology & the Internet
For many, books are to be equated with learning: after all to be “well-read” is to be educated. Thus I am conscious that, for some, it is heresy for a headteacher to even consider the question. No true educationalist could consider a school without a library. However, at risk of blowing all my educational credentials in one go, I feel that someone has to be brave enough to ask the question.
The more I think about it, the more I find myself questioning why we are still spending money on books and on the School library. Let me explain why:
Amazon announced last week that they sold more e-Books than paperbacks in the US last year BBC News story 28/01/11. The writing is on the wall for the codex – books are going electronic. Printed editions will be survive, but, like LPs [that’s vinyl for those under 30] they will be for collectors – there will always be people who want fine editions of books [after all people pay a premium for Folio Society editions and Hardbacks]. However, the direction of travel is clear: mass publication from newspapers to novels will be electronic. It is no surprise that I am asking myself whether or not we need a School Library and, if we do, what will it look like.
Last week, I asked my Lower Sixth Oxbridge group when they last borrowed a book from the School Library. No one had done so since Year 7 when they had been made to do so by their English teacher. Don’t get me wrong – they are all readers, most said that they would much rather own the text rather than borrow one. One girl commented that she used the Art books in the library, but only because she was able to get higher quality scans of the art work than she could download from the Internet. They don’t use the reference books, because it is quicker, easier and probably as accurate to use Wikipedia. Most saw the Library as a quiet place to work or a place to get online.
I’m not sure that this is really a million miles away from where we were 25 years ago. When a student, I enjoyed working in the Cambridge University Library, or in the faculty libraries rather than working in my room. Why? Not because of access to the books – I often took them with me – but because it was a good working environment, it was a change of scenery, it didn’t have the distractions of my College corridor, the UL had a great coffee shop and yet it was very all very sociable. Later in life I spent a summer working in the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford – and what an inspiring place that was to study.
So, I like the idea of libraries as places where young people can work, but I wonder [and I know that there is somewhat an etymological paradox about what I am going to say] if we actually need books in our library? I’m not even sure that we need to have an e-Library? If they want to download a book, young people will do it their way – I’m not sure that it makes any sense to commit resources to trying to get them to do it my way. No, I think that schools need to create inspiring spaces where young people can hang out, get connected and get on with their work – if we call those places “Libraries”, so be it.
Your comments
I believe the internet will never hold every single manuscript written; libraries are an antique in some ways, but until we lose our sense of touch, I’m sure people will still find some sort of comfort even just from holding a book in their hands. To make sure our younger generations don’t make libraries extinct, perhaps going back to basics and teaching them how to use the numbering systems, how to go about research in the library will all add to their knowledge of how to actually use libraries, what they’re there for and how to hold a certain respect for these buildings and their occupants i.e. books.
I totally agree, unless we educate our children, libraries will become extinct. I work in a secondary school and the library is always full, but not because of the books , because of internet access. Most pupils go straight to the computer to do research, never thinking that they are surrounded by 15000 books which also offers a source of reference!!! Lets start getting back to basics start training our children to use libraries efficiently. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!