Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Lib Science # 9: Libraries in the News

Are Libraries a thing in the past?
1. When did you last use the public library?

The last time I used a public library was in the middle of March. I was there to study with my friends and check out books that I was interested in.

2. McTernan’s four arguments for closing public libraries:

  • The local library does not advanced technology and the computers are slow. 
  • Is not the only place for an international network of literature. Computers and second-hand bookshops have access to international networks of literature.
  • Is not the only place to revise and study. Everybody has a desk at home. 
  • Is not only the place that has access to information. The Internet has all the information we need.

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?

  • lots of people visit the library. 30 million people haves visited public libraries in the past year, which is a 10 percent increase from 2009
  • provides internet to people in society that do not have it at home
  • gave others inspiration to be interested in forms of literature by having an increased amount of available information in libraries
  • allows groups to meet up

2)  What are some of the services provided to the public through libraries?

  • allows groups to come together for projects or business partners to conduct their business
  • gives citizens to have a studious and comfortable environment to sit down and study
  • provides career counseling and help with homework

3) What do you think she means when she says “libraries are one of the society’s great equalizers?”
  • gives all citizens access to responsive services without being judged regardless of their background
  • treats citizens equally by having each person individualized
Editorial:

The article that McTernan wrote is easily disputable, and his points are not relatable to others that care and support public libraries. McTernan is prime minister that was once a librarian himself and had a Master degree in Library Science. However, his career as a librarian ended in the year of 1994. As a student who cares for libraries, McTernan’s points can be easily argued against.

McTernan argues that public libraries should be shut down because he believes that barely anyone goes to the public libraries anymore. This is not true as I have never have seen a library empty and have seen lots of visitors reading or writing their reports, and studying. The public library is a comfortable and pleasant place to study and write reports because of its welcoming and peaceful community. McTernan also argues that citizens do not need to go the library because they have a desk at home. Some people in society are less fortunate and unable to study with their inadequate studying utensils at home. The library provides service to its visitors such as homework help and counseling. Less unfortunate people will be able to go the library for these services and have the adequate supplies to study. Also, some citizens are unable to concentrate at home because of loud environments. Libraries are often are quiet and allows their visitors to concentrate.

Hence, McTernan makes an argument that libraries are not the only place where there is an international network of literature and suggests that the internet or second-hand bookstores can also provide these services. This statement is arguable because some citizens do not have access to the internet to reach other sources of information. Also, some assignments need other sources than the internet such as print sources and the internet does not provide these services. Second-hand bookstores provide these services but the books there can’t be borrowed for free. Libraries allow their visitors to borrow books for free.

Public libraries should be existent and not be shut down as they can motivate others to read literature and have others enjoy literature. As a young adult that has respect to public libraries, I do not agree with McTernan's viewpoints.

Technology and Libraries
1. Have you been to the Surrey Central Library?

Yes, I have been at the Surrey Central Library. Some meetings of my former youth group were held there so I went to help organize events.

2. Describe the ways in which the new Surrey Public Library is similar to Fraser Height’s library? How are the two libraries different?

Similarities:

  • Having contests and prizes to win
  • Access to internet and a wide range of books
  • More place to study than area of where books are placed
  • A news section and magazine section


      Differences:

  • The Surrey public Library is bigger and has an upstairs level
  • Surrey Public Library has more space to study than Fraser Heights Library


3. What does the author suggest about the relationship between the physical space and the way that libraries are thought of by the public?

Suggests that having more physical space to study and read will cause the public to be attentive to studying and reading

“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.

Pros:

  • Allows students to visualize and understand concepts better
  • Increase their engagement in learning
  • Helps modernize the school
  • Replacing not interactive textbooks

Cons:

  • Digital technology will be a distraction to students
  • Costs of cost-strapped school systems
  • Stops students from being creative
  • Health issues and brain development issues
  • Technology use should be little when little or in Elementary School

3. What does the author suggest about the relationship between the physical space and the way that libraries are thought of by the public?

Suggests that having more physical space to study and read will cause the public to be attentive to studying and reading

“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.

Pros:
Allows students to visualize and understand concepts better
Increase their engagement in learning
Helps modernize the school
Replacing not interactive textbooks
Cons:
Digital technology will be a distraction to students
Costs of cost-strapped school systems
Stops students from being creative
Health issues and brain development issues
Technology use should be little when little or in Elementary School

2. Using a dictionary, define pedagogy.  Create a bibliographic MLA reference for the dictionary you used.

Pedagogy: The work or function of a teacher or the art of teaching

Bibliography: 
"pedagogy". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 24 May. 2017.                            <Dictionary.com http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pedagogy>.

3. What is North Vancouver’s Waldorf School doing differently from other schools in the lower mainland?

Restricts and bans the use of internet or technology in all classrooms of Elementary Schools

4. Should Fraser Heights follow the Waldorf school model?

I believe that Fraser Heights should not use the Waldorf School model because banning any form of technology will cause restrictions to research. Many assignments and projects in Fraser Heights require research and banning technology will hinder this. The internet has a wide range of sources including primary sources that are normally difficult to find in print sources. Some information needed to support a student’s points is only accessible on the internet. The information on the internet is summarized more clearly and has trustable evidence from famous scientists and branches of reports. In other words, technology can widen our range of information for research assignments, and projects. Thus, the Waldorf school model was designed for children in elementary schools. The students in Fraser Heights are teenagers or young adults so they do not require this system. Teenagers are old enough or mature to manage their own time and will not cause technology to be a distraction to their studies. In addition, teachers use technology in high school to help their students to better visualize or understand concepts. Videos or informational documentaries are only found on the internet and were found extremely helpful to students to deepen their understanding. Therefore, Fraser Heights should not follow this model as there are more pros of not following this Waldorf School model.

More News

Article name: Toronto librarian makes her case against Little Free Libraries

Summary: 
A librarian in Toronto has filed a complaint about the case of being against Little Free Libraries. The librarian disagrees with the existence of  Little Free Libraries as Jane Schimdth believes that these kinds of libraries do not enhance literature because of the books are not great and lots of the books are not borrowed. The Little Free Libraries are a non -profit organization organized to make the community friendly but the Toronto librarian, Jane Schimdth disagrees with the existence of these libraries.

How does this article relate to libraries:

This article relates to the use of libraries because Little Free Libraries are a type of library used to make the community friendlier. Lately, a librarian in Toronto has filed a complaint about these libraries because she believes that these libraries are not specifically libraries from having no citizen borrow books from there. Little Free Libraries is a non- profit organization to have citizens that are less fortunate to have access to books. A senior in Fraser Heights Secondary School has organized and has registered a Little Free Library in the neighbourhood of Fraser Heights near Erma Stephenson with the help of the City of Surrey and the members of the Local Development Community Club. These type of libraries are often in well-educated and high-class neighbourhoods. These libraries function differently than school and Surrey Public Libraries as they are a lot smaller and have a give and take policy. Therefore, this article relates to libraries as it discusses a type of library.

Bibliography:

 "Toronto Librarian Makes Her Case against Little Free Libraries." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 08 May 2017. Web. 24 May 2017. <http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.4099293/toronto-librarian-makes-her-case-against-little-free-libraries-1.4099601>





No comments:

Post a Comment