The Demise Of School Libraries

School libraries are as important today as they were decades ago.  Although just as public libraries have changed to become community anchors that are not just a storage space for books, school libraries have been changing to include additional duties.  Much of their tasks now include maintaining a web page.  For example, below is a book trailer for “Twilight” that Twin Peaks Middle School Library has on their webpage, you can view it directly on their virtual library web page, https://sites.google.com/a/powayusd.com/tpms-virtual-library/. 

                                           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zsyCJQOPC4&feature=youtu.be

As discussed by Wernick, school libraries are shifting due to two reasons “the slow demise of the traditionally published book as the primary source of information; and the increasing demand for more collaborative, social environments for academic study and production” (2011, p. 25-26).  It is also incredibly important for librarians to help guide students to accurate information.  With so much information on the Internet that may or may not be factually accurate, students need support to know how to weed out misinformation.  So, I would definitely say that school libraries are not disappearing but rather evolving due to the new needs of the students and teachers they serve.

Works Cited

Wernick, Laura. (2011, May). “The School Library Space is Changing”. American School & University, v83 n9. 24-28.  Retrieved from http://palomar.worldcat.org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/title/the-school-library-space-is-changing/oclc/757386042.