4 Reasons why the Public Library is Still Important

When my wife was pregnant with our first child, we asked that our friends and family write a personal note in a copy of their favorite children's book instead of sending us greeting cards. My daughter, Sophie, is now two years old and she loves the small library that has developed in the corner of her bedroom. There's no doubt between me or my wife that we want reading to be an important and valuable part of our kids' lives, and I feel like we're off to a good start. Recently, we introduced Sophie to the public library.

I shamefully admit that before our trip, I hadn't stepped foot in a public library in more than ten years. I was of the belief that modern technology was destined to bring about the slow obsolescence of the public library. To my surprise, the library is still quite useful – and apparently I'm not the only one to have figured this out. When we got home from our trip, I made a quick poll about library patronage and posted it to twitter. Here's the results:

If you're one of the 26% who haven't been to one in awhile, here's 4 facts about modern libraries that may sway you to take the trip.

Libraries are no longer a place to collect information.
If someone needs to look up some information you probably won't find them lurking around the reference desk at the local library - especially when Google is only a few keystrokes, or even a text message away from pointing them in the right direction. The library is no longer the place to go to gather information. That's not to say that it lacks purpose. With the introduction of literature clubs, children's reading groups, even daycare, the traditional vision of the library with the large “SHHHH!” sign posted by the front desk has gone the way of the Dewey Decimal system. Instead, the Library has now become a social center, an intellectual and creative outlet for a community. That's something you won't get from Google.

Libraries are more than book repositories.
While some argue that technology is bringing about the downfall, it's clear that libraries have adopted a “If you can't beat 'em, join 'em” mentality. In addition to rows of bound books, my branch also has a section of audio books, DVDs, and even free wireless access. Patrons who neglected to bring their own laptop have the option of logging on to one of the ten or so library PCs available for public use.

Libraries have gone digital.
In addition to audio books, libraries are now beginning to dabble in E-books, and specifically cater to things like the Kindle and the iPod Touch. This comes in the form of a digital bookmobile. Users download a helper application that controls E-book selections, and “signs” them out. This digital copy is processed with an expiration date. When it expires, the digital selection is no longer able to be executed by the reader, and is “returned” the the site so other users can download it. This idea of a digital library is similar to copyright-free E-book sites such as Project Gutenberg, but is extended to many new and popular titles.

Libraries set an expectation and a lifestyle for children.
In a day and age where NCLB rules from its ivory tower, more and more emphasis seems to be getting placed on teaching the skills of reading instead of teaching the value of reading. Sure, you can argue that an illiterate can't appreciate books, but are we creating a generation that looks at To Kill a Mockingbird the same way they do the reference manual for a DVD player? During my one trip to the library I saw parents reading with their kids, and I witnessed my own daughter pull (much to the librarian's chagrin) a dozen books from the shelf before choosing the one that looked most appealing. Not only are libraries an invaluable resource, but it is sadly one of the few places still remaining where books can not only be read, but experienced.

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Bill Nye the Science Analogy Guy

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a speaking presentation by Bill Nye at the University at Buffalo's Alumni Arena. Although I was mildly disappointed at the absence of baking soda volcanoes and cool tricks with dry ice, Nye was still engaging, witty, and obviously incredibly intelligent.

His mantra for the evening was You can change the world – an ideal he applied to everything from global warming, to the automotive industry, and even the amount of energy consumed by idle ipod chargers. However, the part that I found most intriguing was the question and answer segment that followed his formal presentation.

I was impressed to see that Bill Nye was just as quick on his feet with the sometimes random, and sometimes controversial topics that audience members threw at him as he was during his presentation. In that last 30 minutes he spoke articulately on topics like stem cell research, space exploration, and conservation. But my ears perked when someone asked Nye about his opinions regarding how science is taught in schools.

Without hesitation, Nye immediately stated that science needed to be taught more at the elementary level. He pointed out that in part of the No Child Left Behind Act, science standards don't kick in until students reach the 7th grade. Nye unapologetically called NCLB a “recipe for disaster” (which evoked a round of applause from the audience).

I write all of this only so I can share Bill Nye's analogy with you. He said it would be like waiting until 7th grade to teach kids the alphabet. That's saying that science is as fundamental in today's society as literacy. Although I am an English Language Arts teacher, I wholeheartedly agree. Shouldn't innovation be a fundamental part of how we live life?

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When Every Test is Important, No Test is Important

Take a look at the car I spotted on my drive home from work the other day. I played chase with it for about two miles before finally getting close enough to snap a picture with my cell phone. Both sides of the car were also filled with bumper stickers, but the driver turned before I could get a chance to capture that as well.

Clearly this person has a lot of strong beliefs. But was his/her method of sharing these beliefs effective?

Actually, no. Until I looked at the picture, I couldn't remember a single bumper sticker on that car. It came across as so abrasive and over-amplified that the messages were immediately overshadowed by the means. These stickers were proclaiming opinions on everything from politics to religion, discrimination to gender rights. When all issues are forced to the front, they are all simultaneously at the end of the line as well.

In New York state, every student has a state assessment for each core content area beginning in 4th grade until they get to high school. Because these assessments are high stakes, teachers undoubtedly stress the importance of each one. That means students listen to someone explain that the next test is “the most important test you will ever take” more than 20 times (including LOTE exams in grade 8) before they get to 9th grade. No wonder test scores stagnate and schools fall below the yellow line (Biggest Loser reference) in the eyes of NCLB.

Where is the happy medium here? I didn't take any message from the car seriously because there were so many. But I also didn't notice any cars with only one bumper sticker. How can we collect accurate benchmark information on our students without overwhelming and devaluing the whole process?

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