Library Users

I think user-independence is very important in a library, although at the moment is it sadly pretty much non-existent. Students are really only able to look up resources when I am there and that isn’t very often. Ideally students would have access to the online catalogue on a as needed basis. Technically they do if the log onto a computer and search the school districts library website externally. Perhaps I could turn this into a lesson for the older students in the school so when I am not there they can search themselves to see if we have a particular book. I’m still new to this school and I can’t even remember at the moment if we have a projector in the computer lab – I may have to create printed out directions for students to follow. Further, I will have to ask around and see if the staff knows how to do basic user searches – I think they are still coming to terms with the fact that somebody has actually “opened up” the library and is a place for resources, learning, etc. I sat down with all the teachers this week and asked them to please, please, please use me as a resource locator, collaborator, co-teacher etc. – they seemed fairly happy with this so hopefully these budding professional relationships will lend themselves to the staff feeling less out of place in the library. If staff and students feel confident in using library tools independently, this would theoretically improve the ever important issue of access!