Module 11: Beyond the library walls: working for social justice in the school library
Learning Curation Prompt: Briefly answer ONE of the prompts:
This video is based on a public library’s efforts to meet the needs of its community. Comment on the video and make parallels within a school library context.
A day in the life of New York City's public libraries: Video by Julie Dressner and Jesse Hicks. May 17, 2014.
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This video reveals just how important the modern library is for millions of people in their everyday lives. Throughout the video you see many things that libraries do for their patrons. Although these things seem little, they are big things in the lives of these people. For instance, the video introduces us to someone who is homebound. With help from the library and the librarians, the homebound patron is still part of the library community by having books delivered to her home as well as being able to connect with the librarians on the phone.
Additionally, the video shows how librarians can help patrons with technology by finding the right websites or helping with their resumes for obtaining a job and also providing literacy classes for patrons needing to improve their reading and writing skills. Another instance, we learn how one library has developed a family literacy centre for ESL families, helping both the kids and their parents develop the knowledge they need to communicate and understand what is being taught in public schools. Libraries also provide a safe haven for kids and teens after school to help with homework and to keep them off the streets. Continually, this video shows how libraries help connect people with similar interests, providing a place for them to belong.
Overall, this video highlights the many valuable things that public libraries do for their patrons. Most importantly, the video emphasizes how library funds have been cut, reducing the amount of librarians and access to libraries. This video of public libraries is similar to school libraries in that school librarians are being cut, for example not very many schools have a full time librarian any more. Also, school libraries provide many of the same services to the school community as a public library does. School librarians or Teacher-Librarians are there to help teachers, students and parents and they will go above and beyond making the library the place to be. The school library is a place for teachers, students and parents to find books, ask for help, connect, collaborate, feel safe and comfortable and come find their passion with Makerspaces. Libraries still matter to many and are therefore an important part of any community, be it a public library or a school library. We need to help advocate for libraries and this video is a great place to start.
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