MELSA provides training and networking for library staff, funds regional database purchases, and fosters cooperative relationships among its 9 members. Anyone with a valid library card can borrow materials from any library (any library in Minnesota, too) and then return those materials to the most convenient location.
In the Library 2.0 world, librarians have expanded their reach through online reference through IM and email, created blogs to reach out to patrons, encourage user generated content, whether with patrons’ book recommendations or other conversations, and are looking to the future to see how public libraries will evolve and change to meet the needs of future library users.
Another role public libraries have filled is to help bridge the digital divide. Almost 100% of American public libraries have high-speed public access to the Internet. Your students may use their local libraries not only for research, but for all Internet-related activity.
As wonderful and resource-full public libraries are, they are not a substitute or replacement for school library media programs. A school library meets the unique needs of the teachers and students in its building. The media specialist builds the resource collection to respond to the curriculum and collaborates with teachers on research and other projects. A cooperative relationship between school and public libraries brings the best of both to students and teachers.
Do the Core things and explore the More if you have the time.
Core
1. Be sure you have an active public library card and PIN. A PIN is necessary for remote access to library resources and services. Find your library at http://www.melsa.org/locations.cfm. Remember—once you have a card from a Minnesota public library, it is good at any public library in Minnesota! And you can return most materials to any library location, too, and it will end up back at its “home.”
2. Explore your local public library’s resources. Each library system offers different things, but look for:
- Downloadable audio books
- IM Reference
- Ask a Librarian (email reference)
- Book groups
- Book lists
- Programs
- Databases with remote and/or in-library access
- Email notices
- Rosetta Stone (St. Paul Public, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Carver Co., Anoka Co., Dakota Co.)
- And much, much more
4. Use at least one service of your library besides borrowing materials.
Be sure your students have library cards and PINs and encourage them to explore their library. Need help? Contact your local public library.
Resources
- Melsa.org will lead you to links to all local public libraries. There is a list of all MELSA purchased databases, too.
- For fun: History of Libraries
Make the Information Literacy Connection
Well, not a big stretch here. Public libraries and their librarians have been leaders in all types of literacy since their beginnings. As early adopters of new technology, public and school librarians have learned and then taught others how to use and integrate technology into daily lives. Some curriculum ideas:
- Invite your local public librarian to visit your classroom or media center to sign up students for library cards, talk about public library resources, and/or role play ways to approach a librarian and how to ask for help.
- Include public library links on your Teacher Web page for easy student access to reliable resources.
Blog Ideas
- What is your experience with public libraries and librarians? Long time user? Scared away by mean librarian in your youth?
- What would you improve about your library and its services?
- How do you use your public library to support your teaching?
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