Assignment 3: Libraries in the News Due Friday April 4th

Libraries and Learning Commons are a hot topic these days, believe it or not! Whether they're being shut down due to lack of funding, or they're having to compete with the so-called information expert Google, we are often in the news! Read the articles in the package at the circ desk, then answer the attached questions on your blog! 

Questions:

Libraries in the News:

In recent months libraries have frequently made the news. 

Read the following articles and complete the attached questions.

1.   Are Libraries a Thing of the Past?

Editorials are articles found in a newspaper that express an author’s opinion.  As such, they are often one-sided and frequently demonstrate bias. 

Read the article written by British columnist John McTernan entitled “Liberal Whingers are wrong – we should shut our libraries.”
1) When did you last use the PUBLIC library?
2) Describe in point form, McTernan’s arguments for closing public libraries.

Read “Libraries have Thrived, despite technological developments” by British Columbia Library Association board of directors member Michele Wong.
1) What are some of the reasons Wong gives to prove that libraries are relevant today?
2)  What are some of the services provided to the public through libraries?
3) What do you think she means when she says “libraries are one of society’s great equalizers?”

In no fewer than 250 words, write your own editorial piece either siding with, or arguing against Wong or McTernan, making specific reference to their articles. 

Post both the answers to the questions and your editorial.

2.   Technology and Libraries

Read the article from the Globe and Mail “The Library is not Just a Book Warehouse Anymore”
1) Have you been to the Surrey Central Library? If not, have a look at their website. Google Surrey Public Library.
2) Describe the ways in which the Surrey Public Library is similar to Clayton Heights library? How are the two libraries different?
3) What does the author suggest about the relationship between the physical space and the way that libraries are thought of by the public?

Read the opinion piece titled “High-tech vs. no-tech: Two views of school” by Pete McMartin
1) List the pros and cons of technology as outlined in the article.
2) Using a dictionary (online or paper- check the 423 section in our library), define pedagogy.
3) What is North Vancouver’s Waldorf School doing differently from other schools in the lower mainland?
4) Write a paragraph/opinion piece explaining your viewpoint.  Should Clayton Heights follow the Waldorf school model?

3.   E-Readers: New Circulations…

E-Books: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an e-book is “an electronic version of a printed book.”  They are read on devices designed specifically for the purpose of reading (Kindle, Kobo), on tablet computers (iPad) or on a mobile device (smart phones)

Read the article “School Libraries Struggle with E-Book Loans”
1) According to the article how have sales of e-books been?
2) What, according to Buffy Hamilton, is the biggest problem when librarians consider including e-books in their school library collections?
3) Research Overdrive, the e-book service provider mentioned in the article.  What are some of the services they provide to public schools?  What are the major drawbacks to this system according to the article?
4) Surrey School District has recently bought a licence to lend e-books, and Clayton Heights is one of the pilot schools. Do you think you would use the service? What are the benefits/drawbacks? Ms. McLean or Mr. Bridges will show you how it works on our catalogue!

4.   More News!

Using online newspapers, find an article that discusses libraries, education, education technology or literacy/reading.

-post a link to the article

-summarize the article

-explain how it relates to libraries or education. Why is what this article discusses important?