| Convocation on Providing Public Library Service to California’s 21st Century Population | [Back] [Contents] [Next] |
by Martha Arroyo-Neves, Circulation Manager,
Mission Branch, San Francisco Public Library
Although lifelong learning has been embedded in libraries' mission statements for years, it has taken on a much more important meaning in the last decade to a rapidly growing and more culturally diverse population. Society's expectations in this day and age of fast-growing technology are such that people of all ages are turning to the library for help. They range from preschool children who are expected to pass a concept test to enter kindergarten, to senior citizens who are expected to become computer literate to use an on-line catalog and/or go back to school to be able to pass a citizenship test. And, of course, in between are the young adults who are expected to do assignments using the Internet without the knowledge or the mediums to accomplish it . Lastly, there is a large population who, in order to keep their jobs, must keep their work skills by home studying or by going back to school.
The roles of libraries and librarians have also gone through a tremendous change. Not only are librarians expected to provide traditional information services but they have also become information navigators and teachers. This is particularly true for the ways of accessing information through technology. Libraries can help people meet their life needs by addressing the following issues.
Issues
Training: Library staff need to be trained first in order to help the public. The Internet, like many databases, is rich in resources that can help our public, but we can't help if we don't know how to use it. Because of recurrent budget cuts, library staff are not being adequately trained in all new available technology (i.e., Internet, databases, CD-ROMs, etc.). There is nothing more frustrating than learning while teaching. Training for all library staff in all areas should be top priority.
Technology: California libraries have gone to great effort to make technology accessible to the public, from the on-line catalog in the library to the shopping mall kiosks. But, the demand for more computers grows as more people become aware of them. People are being limited to 15 minutes of on-line terminal use when there are other people waiting. For an average student doing research, 15 minutes is not enough. Also, there is a great demand for personal computers where people can type, among other things, school reports and resumes. There should always be a staff person available who can show people how to use these terminals and computers. Additional staff would help, but the key word here is training.
Outreach: Libraries have a wealth of resources for everybody's needs, including Internet, special book and/or media collections such as self-help, work skills, careers, education, books on tape, and others. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of them. Many library systems do not emphasize outreach because it's costly. It not only takes time to do outreach, but it also takes time to train people to use the library - from filling out a library card application to the use of the Internet. Publicity works.
Collection Development: In times of book budget cuts, the concept of lifelong learning tends to weaken. It is in the library's best interest to buy for the "library supporter" who tends to be educated, affluent, a technology-user and English- speaking. Of course, this is a very political issue. But, there is also a large population of voting taxpayers who speak a language other than English and use the library on a regular basis. Educating this group of people about politicians' games would help in a time of needed support for book budgets and for library services in general.
Cooperative Planning between Libraries and Schools: The fact that school librarians have been virtually eliminated shows the state of education in the age of technology. Libraries and schools, including adult education, need to coordinate their efforts and resources. One area where libraries can truly make a difference is in providing a wide range of material supporting curriculum (not required texts, but recreational material that would enhance courses). One example would be materials in non-English languages that are easy enough to read for someone who is learning another language.
Literacy: We could say that people who cannot read have fewer
choices in learning. Reading is essential. Project Read has been very successful
in addressing this need. But now there is a new challenge: a population
which cannot read or write in their native language which must learn to
read and write in English in order to function in society. Recruiting
volunteers to teach are an option for libraries addressing this issue,
since spending for this particular group is not going to get support from
politicians, library commissions, advisory boards, boards of
supervisors, etc., considering the current political climate.
Recommendations
Library directors need to make staff training a top priority. The State Library can help by providing or coordinating workshops in all areas of the profession. The State Library can also help by identifying course work in other languages presented by California public schools and identifying support materials that libraries might acquire.
The State Library can coordinate statewide, on-line resource sharing in all available languages. One example would be making available full text, Spanish periodical indices. Another example would be identifying helpful web sites that libraries can use in all subject areas and in all available languages.
The State Library can emphasize the need for computers and homework centers in all libraries, but especially in libraries serving economically disadvantaged populations being left behind because of lack of exposure to technology.
Libraries should put more effort into coordinating outreach and resource sharing with other community agencies, social services, schools and religious organizations.