More changes coming to children's libraries

Every children’s librarian should read the report in the May issue of School Library Journal about the changes that are coming to school libraries. We all know that ebooks, iPads, and other e-readers are available, but SLJ has documented how many libraries now incorporate these new media and how school librarians feel about them.

More than a third of school libraries (36%) have ebooks in their collection and, as might be expected, fewer elementary schools (29%) than high schools (64%) have them. This situation may not continue long, however, because 84% of all schools expect to have ebooks five years from now and elementary schools (82%) are catching up with high schools (92%) in their expectations. The future looks bright for ebooks, although there are obstacles along the way. One of the major factors limiting purchase is the lack of funds, but lack of support from administrators is also a strong influence.

Also not particularly surprising is the finding that libraries under age 35 are more likely than older colleagues to welcome changes in collections and the use of technology in schools. This younger group is also more likely to worry about Digital Rights Management (DRM) as a factor in limiting the growth of electronic collections. But the majority of librarians at any age are seen as leaders in technology in their schools, so they will no doubt have a strong influence on how technology is integrated into school libraries and what kinds of service are provided.

I could go on and on about the findings in this survey, which offers a lot of food for thought; for example, why have more private schools than public ones adopted iPads? Is cost the basic factor in determining the availability of technology for children? One of the most important functions of the public schools and public libraries is to level the playing field for children—to make sure that children who cannot afford private school nonetheless receive the best education available. That’s something to keep in mind.

Public librarians may feel left out in this survey, and certainly they aren’t directly included, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t important reading. As the schools go, so the public library children’s service must go. Children who become used to having ebooks, databases, and video materials in school will also expect it in the public library, and so will their parents. This is an important article for everyone to read and to use as support when asking for additional resources to bring the best services to their patrons.