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ERIC Number: ED412957
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997
Pages: 8
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Our Patch vs. Their Patch: Information Technology and Literacy in Schools.
Yates, Barbara
The information technology revolution is affecting schools on a broader basis than just libraries. Teachers, administrators, and educational technology specialists are all espousing expanded roles to address the new opportunities, with the result that responsibilities are beginning to overlap and roles are becoming blurred. The use of increasingly generalized job profiles is blurring the role of the school librarian, particularly in relation to information technology or the use of computers. This paper stresses the importance of defining a specific "patch" for the school librarian, and suggests criteria for the development of the "patch." Unless school librarians focus on distinguishing themselves in a value-added sense they may disappear from schools. The paper includes sample job descriptions, and charts comparing the functions of school librarians and computer specialists. The role of the librarian has not changed, rather the way the job is performed has changed. Librarians must embrace the new methods of accessing information but they must not be subsumed by them. The role of the school librarian is to add value to the information process to make it relevant. School librarians need to be clear about their role, and need to communicate the message to others. (SWC)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A