THE LIBRARY IS A CLASSROOM Often the argument is put forward in the media that physical libraries, and librarians, are irrelevant today because of technology. Working with young people daily, I know how critical human interaction is. Students don’t know what they don’t know. And dependence on the free Web and the new independence that the Web gives student researchers often results in substantial research “holes.” A student’s research improves when he or she poses a question to a human rather than a fictional butler. Thoughtful research is a training ground for adult life. Good research habits require creativity, training, and much practice; and that research involves careful strategies and materials beyond the free Web. Topical research—merely finding and retelling information in a state, president, or country report— has no relevance in an information-rich landscape. I know how to assist teachers in guiding their students to learn how to ask the questions that will make research a meaningful learning experience.
Designing Web-based instruction and assessment tools that measure students’ use of information technologies, as well as their mastery of content standards is my forte. I have expertise in database searching that my teaching colleagues will never have time to develop. My responsibility is to ensure that students and faculty develop skills of information literacy, so that they know how to access, evaluate, analyze, organize, document, and communicate information in effective and ethical ways.
Mr. John Vaporis, Library Teacher Saugus Middle High School Learning Commons Pierce Memorial Drive Saugus, MA 01906 781-231-5027 ext 32011 [email protected]
Works Cited Vaporis, John C. Walk With Petra. Photograph. 2015. Valenza, Joyce. "A Field Guide to an Evolving Species." Classroom.com. Classroom Connect, 1 Apr. 2002. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. <http://faumd403.pbworks.com/f/SchoolLibrarianguide.pdf>.