Denying Access

I have been trying to avoid posting a rant, really I have. But today, several items came across my desk that just set this off. I will not elaborate on the confluence. Suffice to say, they were tiny pieces of sand that rubbed me wrong and thus produced the rant (no pearl, sorry).

I keep hearing about cutting school libraries in terms of books in favor of a collection of eBooks. Those of you who know me understand that I love technology. I read books on the iPad and Kindle and even my iPhone. I have access, though. I wonder how many students do nationwide (here is something you can tackle, Mr. Duncan, as you collect useless data from test scores, why not ask how many kids have limitless online access outside of school?)? I can look around the district in which I reside and tell you right now that I would estimate about 30-40% of the students more than likely have to get access at school or at the public library. ACCESS is key when it comes to eBooks. I have access. But for those who do not, the digital divide grows wider as does the achievement gap.

It is more than that, though. Some books are perfect fodder for eBooks. I recently read and reviewed P*TAG edited by Vardell and Wong. It was designed to be an eBook and is perfectly suited to the format. Ditto the latest from Fontichiaro and Hamilton on school libraries. Immediate distribution (and heard today it has been downloaded over 3000 times in a little over a week). There are other books, though, better suited to traditional text, especially those books with diagrams, charts, etc. that deserve a large page and clear print. And, quite frankly, I still enjoy curling up with a book. I love the feel and smell of books (and if you are reading this blog, I bet you do as well).

More to chew on: if school libraries will be all eBooks, will there actually be a physical place in the school? Will the librarian be outsourced? I can see that happening (and it is already). Another loss as research indicates losing a school librarian leads to a DECREASE in test scores. I see the loss of a place to study, to do research (thanks, Holly, for pointing that out), to gather. I see the loss of someone uniquely educated to assist students in searching. More importantly, I see yet another loss of someone who might connect kids to books.

Since I posted a small tweet before this rant, I have heard from several school librarians who are echoing these same concerns. Of course, theirs are not the voices we hear. Instead, the architect (and gee there is someone with school experience) or someone outside of the day to day operation of the school is making decisions like this. It is frustrating to these folks with experience and expertise who have to sit and watch someone dismantling what has taken them forever to create.

I am all for using technology and for extending the definition of books and reading. However, until we can find a way to ensure that everyone has access to literacy in all its forms, we should be making choices based on ACCESS and what is BEST not which is most expedient.