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TAKE A STAND |
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everything. This saying is as appropriate for electronic materials as it is
for anything. In an article called Pew Study: Students Prefer "Virtual
Library," edited by Walter Minkel, he quotes a high school girl who says,
"Sometimes teachers just don't know... when it is easier to read a book and
when it's easier to use the Internet." While it may not be the job of a
public library to tell its patrons when it is appropriate to use electronic
materials they can help determine what electronic materials are of good
quality. The library can accomplish this by providing access to electronic
databases, CD-ROMS, electronic journals, e-books, and reputable WebPages.
Providing access to electronic databases and electronic journals in even small public and school libraries is not only valuable but necessary. Resources such as the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, while still used, are being over shadowed by electronic databases such as EBSCO Host that not only allow for more advanced searching but also provide access to full text articles. This instant access to full text journal articles is extremely valuable for libraries of all types and sizes. Many libraries have begun to use the same Collection Development principles for the Internet as they use for their print collections. They are integrating Web based resources into their catalog. Many of the catalog systems used by libraries are available online this allowing patrons to search the library catalog at home, work or school any time of day and find not only print resources but reputable Internet resources that can be accessed instantly. Another tool that libraries are utilizing is the pathfinder. Instead of or along with integrating web resources into the catalog many libraries are developing pathfinders to aid their patrons’ research. A pathfinder is typically a list of resources. This list often includes electronic resources such as CD-ROMS, WebPages, and Databases. However, it also includes books, magazines, and community resources. Pathfinders are typically developed for a specific age group. This insures that all resources in the pathfinder are age appropriate. For an example of a pathfinder visit: www.hcplibrary.org/children/computer/src/week2/birdpathfinder.htm . A favorite tool of educators and media specialists is the WebQuest. WebQuests were first developed in 1995 by Bernie Dodge and Tom March. According to Dodge a good WebQuest will, “…focus on using information rather than on looking for it, and to support learners’ thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.” According to Kenton Letkeman, “With many research projects, students feel that they are sucking up information and regurgitating it onto paper for no other reason than to get a good grade. WebQuests give students a task that allows them to use their imagination and problem-solving skills. The answers are not predefines and therefore must be discovered or created.” The adaptive quality of WebQuests is especially relevant for today’s schools. WebQuests can be designed so that children of all reading and learning levels can participate and not feel alienated. To see an example of a WebQuest about Tornadoes visit: www.oocities.org/hcplclass2003/tornado/tornadoindex.html.
Libraries have a responsibility to embrace new technology. By integrating technology into the library we show patrons that good information can be found using electronic resources. High quality electronic materials not only provide information but allow for interactive participation in the learning process by those using the resource. However, just providing access to electronic materials it isn’t enough. The library must commit to the value of these resources by publicizing them and then offering guidance for patron use. Andrea Ingmire IUPUI L595 Electronic Materials for Children and Young Adults, June 2003.
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