The Demise of School Libraries by Cattleya

Picture from: http://dulemba.blogspot.com/2010/06/coloring-page-tuesday-save-library.html

There have been talks about the demise of school libraries in the near future. Could this be due to the digitization of books and technological invasion of the library? The reality of a bookless/digital library is already existing at Bexar County in San Antonio, Texas. Although the library has served as a repository of books and written documents since ancient times, it has evolved into more than that whether it's a school or public library. Students still go to the library to read materials in print. They express their creativity through library art projects and programs and experience enrichment of culture. It's a place where poor students can have free access to computer and internet when doing their homework and research. It's also a student center.

The demise of libraries is not just a rumor. It has actually happened in London. "Since April 2011, 423 libraries have either closed down or been slated for closure--that's almost 10 per cent of all libraries in Britain” (Shamsie).This has taken place despite people protests. It’s the consequence of slash in funding. Is this going to happen also in America or has it happened already?

Despite the digital age and most library functions are taken over by technology, I believe that the school library should stay because it supports student formal and informal learning. A research in 2013 reported that libraries have a positive impact on student achievement. But will the school library stay in spite of budget cuts? My prediction is probably that some school libraries may close then reopen, undergo transformation, be renamed as virtual library or be combined with the IT department.

Examples of Youtube videos that show how closing of the library would impact the people:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHywYgqGypY 
David Cameron closed my library

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81_rmOTjobk  
Man Cries Over Library Closing in Philadelphia

References:


"David Cameron Closed My Library." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Feb.      
            2014. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. 
            <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHywYgqGypY>.

Dulemba, Elizabeth O. "Dulemba: Coloring Page Tuesday! - Save the Library." Web log post. Dulemba: Coloring Page Tuesday! - Save the Library. N.p., 01 June 2010. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://dulemba.blogspot.com/2010/06/coloring-page-tuesday-save-library.html>.

"Man Cries Over Library Closing in Philadelphia." YouTube. YouTube, 22 Nov. 2008. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81_rmOTjobk>.

Shamsie, Kamila. "The Demise of the Public Library." Latitude The Demise of the Public Library Comments. The New York Times, 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/the-demise-of-the-public-library/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0>.