Comments on: Service Response Discussion: Basic Literacy http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html The official blog of the Public Library Association Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:51:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Cheri Remington http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-655 Cheri Remington Sun, 05 Nov 2006 18:04:24 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-655 I think the term "basic literacy" is meant to distinguish this focus from that of information literacy, but it has a strong association with remedial literacy. I like "emergent literacy" as a term that has the connotation of encouraging the development of literacy at whatever stage. Personally, I think that encouraging families is one of the best practices for libraries. Individuals who grow up with a close association to the library, know it as a source of communityand assistance, not just a place where books are shelved and computers are available. -- In particular, establishing relationships with families, home-schoolers and schools, not only provides a valuable service for the community, but it is the lifeblood of libraries. It establishes lifelong relationships. I think the term “basic literacy” is meant to distinguish this focus from that of information literacy, but it has a strong association with remedial literacy. I like “emergent literacy” as a term that has the connotation of encouraging the development of literacy at whatever stage. Personally, I think that encouraging families is one of the best practices for libraries. Individuals who grow up with a close association to the library, know it as a source of communityand assistance, not just a place where books are shelved and computers are available. — In particular, establishing relationships with families, home-schoolers and schools, not only provides a valuable service for the community, but it is the lifeblood of libraries. It establishes lifelong relationships.

]]> By: Sandra Gustafson http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-561 Sandra Gustafson Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:22:36 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-561 If one pays attention to recent measures of the literacy levels of the U.S. population, it becomes apparent that public libraries must provide text materials for adults which are accessible at lower levels of attainment and services to those who would improve their skills. The public still believes and expects that libraries are for learning. If one pays attention to recent measures of the literacy levels of the U.S. population, it becomes apparent that public libraries must provide text materials for adults which are accessible at lower levels of attainment and services to those who would improve their skills. The public still believes and expects that libraries are for learning.

]]> By: Nancy Ledeboer http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-546 Nancy Ledeboer Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:26:48 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-546 Basic Literacy is too narrow. It implies a focus on Adult Basic Education (ABE) which is teaching adults whose primary language is English to read. Many libraries have much higher percentage of students in English Language Learning than ABE. Family & Emergent Literacy and GED programs are also important. Whether libraries actually provide literacy services or work with partners to provide resources such as space, curriculum materials, online educational tools - this is an important role for libraries. One that the public expects library to provide. Keeping the scope broad so that all of these programs -either some or all- can be incorporated will serve libraries well. Basic Literacy is too narrow. It implies a focus on Adult Basic Education (ABE) which is teaching adults whose primary language is English to read. Many libraries have much higher percentage of students in English Language Learning than ABE. Family & Emergent Literacy and GED programs are also important. Whether libraries actually provide literacy services or work with partners to provide resources such as space, curriculum materials, online educational tools - this is an important role for libraries. One that the public expects library to provide. Keeping the scope broad so that all of these programs -either some or all- can be incorporated will serve libraries well.

]]> By: Kim Adele Kroll http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-537 Kim Adele Kroll Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:39:22 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-537 The definitions given for the Service Responses are very generic. They don't really explain what services should be offered which makes it difficult to use them to evaluate your Library's services. The definitions given for the Service Responses are very generic. They don’t really explain what services should be offered which makes it difficult to use them to evaluate your Library’s services.

]]> By: Linda Hanks http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-536 Linda Hanks Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:32:56 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-536 It is important to acknowlege the role the library can play in educating parents with young children on skills they can use to help their child be ready to read when starting kindergarten. The early literacy buzz words are out there, but many parents do not understand what they mean or what they can do to develop early literacy skills in their child. Storytimes are perfect ways to do this as we model for the parents how to read the books, and interject ideas they can use as they interact with their child. It is important to acknowlege the role the library can play in educating parents with young children on skills they can use to help their child be ready to read when starting kindergarten. The early literacy buzz words are out there, but many parents do not understand what they mean or what they can do to develop early literacy skills in their child. Storytimes are perfect ways to do this as we model for the parents how to read the books, and interject ideas they can use as they interact with their child.

]]> By: Jeffrey Smith http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-530 Jeffrey Smith Wed, 11 Oct 2006 15:05:19 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-530 As Librarians in the 21st century we are the gatekeepers of providing information to library users. In addition to providing resources to meet the information, educational, and recreational needs of the different multiculture ethnic groups in our communities around the world. As the Information Provision Enviornment (IPE) continues to change , we as librarians need to understand that libraries today are community centers in most cities. As Librarians in the 21st century we are the gatekeepers of providing information to library users. In addition to providing resources to meet the information, educational, and recreational needs of the different multiculture ethnic groups in our communities around the world. As the Information Provision Enviornment (IPE) continues to change , we as librarians need to understand that libraries today are community centers in most cities.

]]> By: Douglas McDonough http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-522 Douglas McDonough Wed, 11 Oct 2006 13:24:49 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-522 What has consistently weakened the second generation Planning Process as compared to the first was the dropping of "Preschoolers' Door To Learning" as a possible role. You fail to understand the way in which many citizen Library Boards react when no 'services to children' are listed as separate possible roles - if it isn't there in black-and-white then it isn't chosen. With the shrinking of traditional reference services, children are more important than ever, but have been neglected in the past decade's planning by PLA -- and no, please don't insult us by saying that it is possible to include children in any of the suggested roles. Preschool children don't need to be taught information in the public library; they need strong programs that attract them in order to help them learn to love books and to love reading. What has consistently weakened the second generation Planning Process as compared to the first was the dropping of “Preschoolers’ Door To Learning” as a possible role. You fail to understand the way in which many citizen Library Boards react when no ’services to children’ are listed as separate possible roles - if it isn’t there in black-and-white then it isn’t chosen. With the shrinking of traditional reference services, children are more important than ever, but have been neglected in the past decade’s planning by PLA — and no, please don’t insult us by saying that it is possible to include children in any of the suggested roles. Preschool children don’t need to be taught information in the public library; they need strong programs that attract them in order to help them learn to love books and to love reading.

]]> By: Bujar Kocana http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-503 Bujar Kocana Sun, 08 Oct 2006 16:49:35 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-503 I believe knowledge inspires ideas.Information is the primary element of knowledge.As/Librarian,i am responsible for linking people to information using the best and most appropriate tools avaible,I do this openly and without judgement or regard for race,creed,religion,disability,gender,,age,or economic status.Ideas are essential for individuals,and ideas drive the evolution of humanity. Where there os light,there are no secrets.Do not take goog decisions,without good informations Bujar Kocana Library Director Albania I believe knowledge inspires ideas.Information is the primary element of knowledge.As/Librarian,i am responsible for linking people to information using the best and most appropriate tools avaible,I do this openly and without judgement or regard for race,creed,religion,disability,gender,,age,or economic status.Ideas are essential for individuals,and ideas drive the evolution of humanity.
Where there os light,there are no secrets.Do not take goog decisions,without good informations
Bujar Kocana
Library Director
Albania

]]> By: David McCullough http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-500 David McCullough Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:42:25 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-500 Core services: The public library is the only institution in America whose mission is information sharing, unconstrained by other considerations. Media, for example, are constrained by the profit motive. Public schools are constrained by government content control. Private schools are constrained by parochial missions and restriction of users. Since information is power, democratic sharing of information is a necessary condition of democracy. No public library = no democracy. Core services:

The public library is the only institution in America whose mission is information sharing, unconstrained by other considerations.

Media, for example, are constrained by the profit motive.
Public schools are constrained by government content control.
Private schools are constrained by parochial missions and restriction of users.
Since information is power, democratic sharing of information is a necessary condition of democracy.
No public library = no democracy.

]]> By: Melody Lloyd Allen http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-497 Melody Lloyd Allen Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:26:39 +0000 http://plablog.org/2006/08/service-response-discussion-basic-literacy.html#comment-497 Early literacy/emergent literacy is a major role of most public libraries. I think Basic Literacy implies adult literacy programs to many members of the public. At the same time, large numbers of taxpayers support public libraries because they believe they are important for children. I think services for preschoolers should be made more explicit. I would also like to see at least the role description emphasize the outreach efforts and partnerships so essential to this role. Early literacy/emergent literacy is a major role of most public libraries. I think Basic Literacy implies adult literacy programs to many members of the public. At the same time, large numbers of taxpayers support public libraries because they believe they are important for children. I think services for preschoolers should be made more explicit. I would also like to see at least the role description emphasize the outreach efforts and partnerships so essential to this role.

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