Originally posted February 26th 2018 on the Discussion Forums
The influence of the digital landscape on the publishing world has had a significant impact on school libraries, their collections and I think primarily, the users of the resource: our students.
Firstly, the physical space of the library is a place where students can see a range of books on a topic. This provides them with a hands-on means with which to discern and be critical about the information being obtained. They also have the expertise of the Librarian available to support them. Now users are utilising the Internet first and relying on user reviews and the rabbit hole of click bait to discover books. This may not necessarily be a bad thing but how can a user be sure the resource is a quality one based on reviews solely by other users? How can libraries embrace technology within the physical space to better engage students? Especially our students who are still learning how to be critical thinkers?
Libraries can provide quality control to some degree through the procurement of their collections. In terms of procuring resources for library collections, libraries have become limited to some extent by what the “Big Four” can provide. On the other hand, users could read more due to the tailoring of advertisements based on search terms and previous purchases. Something to be wary of is the growth of self-publishing (aer.io) as it could create questionable quality amongst resources. Regardless, this demand for digital resources places the Teacher Librarian and the limited budget with which they must work in a precarious position. They must attempt to find a balance between both digital and physical resources that are current.
Finally, both these factors impact upon the impression and utilisation by students of the Library. Librarians are no longer seen as the expert in some students’ eyes. They rely on their social media accounts to influence their reading decisions and this can often be a narrow, tailored feed of information that doesn’t allow them to expand beyond this. What libraries face is something of a PR crisis by which they are having to work against the growing belief by the community that the Library is no longer relevant and must work increasingly hard to engage both teachers, executive staff and students in the resource. This can take Librarians away from other aspects of their core business such as resourcing the curriculum. Or perhaps this is simply, what librarians must do these days to compete in the digital age.
