Reading Log #1 (September 6)

Organization and structure seems to be the running theme in this week’s articles. Running an effective library media center doesn’t just mean having one that is organized and making it look appealing to the eye. While we need to be aware of this, we also need to collaborate with teachers and administration in a way that is open and respectful so that the media center can become an efficient place that everyone can use as a learning place and not just somewhere to find “sources” for their research project. This includes keeping up with the latest materials and books to incorporate into the library such as Web 2.0 tools and other technology for teachers and students to use. If your collaborators don’t have the tools they need, it’ll be unlikely they’ll come to the library let alone communicate with you about any educational needs.  

This goes for students, teachers, and library media specialists in the form of classroom management. Media specialists should communicate clear rules and expectations for the library media center and enforce them in such a way so that students (and others) know how to behave while in the media center, but not enforce them in such a way that they become intimidated and never want to come back again.

So management in all forms is a running theme in these articles, communication goes hand in hand with the management. Without effective management of the materials and students who come into the library, we would have disorganization and little interaction going on, but without the effective communication to keep this management going, we won’t get the library to where we want it to be, and that is the center for reading and learning on all levels.