Duel Use

Dual Use

I am inclined to agree with Stripling that each library (school, community, academic and public) has their own role and purpose in working together to create and support life long learners.  I enjoy the term Library Ecosystem being used to describe how it can support life like an ecosystem does, or life-long-learning for those who participate in it.  Ecosystems exist symbiotically and are ever changing.  Libraries are like the animals living within these ecosystems who are continually adapting to that change.

I am more inclined to agree with Stripling that each library (school, community, academic and public) has their own role and purpose in working together to create and support life long learners.  In her American study, it was apparent that a reduction in government funds to support Libraries is contributing to a gap in information skills for young generations.  Although I am happy about Library time going back to the levels it once was in 2002, I am still wondering what it should/could be today if government hadn't taken it away 15 years ago. Always a ploy.  It also remeinded me of the costs associated with incarceration verses proactive youth programs designed to support individuals.

I can see evidence of the partnership between school and public libraries in the many programs that are offered jointly such as: Reading Link Challenge, Summer Reading Program and many informal programs including coding, lego, art exhibitions, movies and creating.  I think it serves two purposes first and foremost to promote a love for learning and secondly to help take some of the burden off of public libraries in times where they are burdened by community need.

Hancock reports from the studies that the majority of sites that operated as a dual library that were successful, the population was very small.  I can see how this would be the case.  People of small communities rely on eachother for support and probably already use partnerships more often in life out of neccessity.  

I do not think that a dual library would be possible in our specific context mainly because of the large population that surrounds us.  It is however in a growing area with new develepment, highschool and a pool close by.  

I do see a way of operating informally that would benefit families of our school by opening the library to them after the school day.  This is stated in the library hours but not much is being done to promote it.  If I were to put a sign outside the library which is beside the playground it could encourage more users.  A reminder sent home/emailed in the school newsletter about our open door policy, as well as verbally to all students may also help.  I can see these users would benefit from early/family literacy.

My concerns based on Hancocks criteria for the success of dual libraries:

-safety of students around unidentified other adults

-distractions to both the public/students from unforeseen incidents

-prep time for teachers takes the majority of my time and I wouln't have enough time to devote to public users

-do not have Public Lirarian credentials

-I am a teacher for children first and foremost

-red tape at district level would probably prevent the formal planning process

-space of the library is not large enough to offer separate areas to adult/youth/children

-censorship and no restriction of materials circulated

-there is too much to do in the school library as it is without adding more work. 

Three areas in the Combined Libraries Check-list that would be important discussion topics are:

1.Mission statements: although they are probably similar, some of the parties would be highly concerned and against a dual library. Probably parents number 1 who would be concerned for their childrens' safety.

2.A planning propoal would be one of biggest discussions if a direction like this were proposed.

3.The issue of access for all ages and how this would be monitored/censored