Reading Log 2 (For September 13)

When considering the library media center, it can be agreed upon that having a media center that is warm, welcoming, a place where students can relax, study, socialize, and check out books. Appearances are everything. A library that looks dark, dirty, and outdated is never going to be used by students and teachers, let alone have anybody step foot in it. This is what the articles "Cafe Social" and "Do You Really Want Your Library Media Center Used?" addresses. Debra Lau Whelan explains in Cafe Social that most library media specialists agree that image in the library is crucial into getting students to use the library and by having a cafe within the library like in Barnes and Noble really gives a huge boost to the school library's image. One library media specialist states in the article that because she has a Starbucks-like cafe in the library, the library has been constantly busy and not only that, she has been giving 90 minute book talks in the auditorium to attract more interest in the books.

Ruth Clark Cox ("Do You Really Want Your Library Media Center Used?") emphasizes the curb appeal of having a relaxed atmosphere in the library. She states that "Most of us with a Barnes and Noble bookstore in our communities have experienced relaxed atmosphere and wonderful odors from the snack bar" (16). This can be done, she said by meeting teacher and students' needs by improving the access for student and teacher use. This includes being aware of the students' learning needs as well as making it accessible for students with physical disabilities, as stated in the article Making the Library Accessible.

I agree that the library media center needs to be easily accesible with a warm environment that draws students in. I even think that having a little cafe in the media center would be a wonderful asset for the students to use. At the same time, it depends on how willing the people in your school are willing to accomodate for these kinds of things as well as any budget costs. "Cafe Social" mentions that many librarians don't like the idea of having a cafe because their afraid of "messing the library up." Even the article "Consideration On Facilities" states that any facilities comittees need to have at least the principal, teachers, library aides, etc, which suggests that others might have difficult time approving a cafe or anything that makes the library welcoming. This is why library media specialists need to come up with detailed plans and reasons for changing the library to what they want it to look like to help improve circulation and library use.

Even having rules and procedures such as the ones outlined in the Elementary Library Routines wiki can help the library run more smoothly. If you were to have a cafe or have an atmosophere like Barnes and Noble, having set rules and procedures can help a library media specialist's request to improve the library. A library media center is there for students to pick out books, whether they're to read or study and we can't have that unless we make it a space where everybody can use.