Reflection Paper Two

Reflection Two, Information Literacy/ Technology

1. Describe the information and technology literacy efforts at this library. How is information literature instruction handled at this library, drop in, fixed, flexible, etc.? Do classes visit daily, weekly, monthly, whenever there is an information need? Does the information literacy session also include checkout?

This is a public library, so it's actually a mixture of flexible and fixed. They have programs they conduct regularly every week, such as tiny tales and teen writing programs.

2.What library standards (local, state, regional, national) does the librarian use to construct the instruction? Are they the most current? Is there a specific curriculum created for each grade level?
What does a typical library instruction look like? Discuss how the average units are constructed and delivered.

Library instruction sis conducted by several different librarians, so teaching styles vary, but there's generally an introductory piece, an overall goal or objective, and instruction in an activity that is generally academic or related to literature in some way.

3. Is the library instruction integrated with the curriculum or is library skills taught in isolation?

Library instruction is generally taught along with content. Some skills are taught in isolation, case-by-case, as patrons come in with specific requests.

4. What collaboration efforts exist between teachers and librarians?

During the school year the librarians and teachers arrange times for classes to come to the library and take a tour, work on a project, or search for materials. More could be done to integrate the public library with the public schools, specifically through the school libraries.

5. What intrigues you the most about the instruction offered at the library in which you are observing?

The Tiny Tales program is most intriguing because I'm not much of an early child development person, but I found watching the babies, parents, and librarian interaction fascinating and reassuring.

6. Are there library instruction activities for teachers/staff/admin as well as students?

There are training/development courses going on all of the time in the library, both for in-house staff and the community.

7. Has your internship experience allowed you to work with students in an instructional unit? What did you think of that experience?

 I worked with students today making dream catchers after reading "Grandma's Dream Catcher". It didn't focus as much on the book as it did on the activity, but I found it rewarding to work closely with the students. So often the important thing in library, especially a public one, is making those connections with the patrons so that they continue coming back.

8. Does the library/school have a technology plan in place? If so, what does it say regarding the library?

9. What is the library's plan for obsolesce of its technology?

10. How many computers does the library have? Does the librarian has access to or is in charge of a computer lab?

The library has several computers scattered about the building in different departments. There is one room dedicated to computers on the first floor, and it contains about 12 computers. There is a full-time monitor in that room. The YA room has about six computers along the wall, and the children's section has a station of six computers, two of which are for playing games, and four dedicated to searching the catalog for books. Near the checkout counter there are computers for adults to search for books or set up an account and put books on hold, and near the reference desks are the computers devoted to downloading media.

11. Does the library have its own web site and if so, who acts as the web master? If there is a web site, is the library site linked to the district or school web site?

12. Does or has the school received E Rate funding? If so, has anything been done in the library with this funding?

13. Does the library use a filter on its computers? How is the Internet used in the library?

14. What Internet 2.0 technologies does the library use or hope to use soon (blog, wiki, social networking, open source software, etc.)?

15. What emerging technologies does the library use or hope to use soon (E-books, E-readers, IPods/Pads, E-games, etc.)?

16. Does the library have its own phone, copier, fax, and scanner? Does the library have other technology not listed in a question already?
Yes.

17. Does the library have smartboards or document cameras?

18. What was the most surprising aspect of technology to you during your internship?