Dive Brief:
- Librarians have fallen on the opposing side of some maker efforts in schools as administrators replace certified librarians with teachers who have skills with technology rather than research and reading.
- The Kansas City Star reports the Shawnee Mission School District has hired at least four “innovation specialists” instead of librarians to replace retirees running the schools’ libraries.
- In some cases, schools are storing fewer books and relying on digital devices for reading and research, using the newly freed up library space for innovation labs, but other schools are doubling down on the need for library science professionals and simply asking them to get more tech skills.
Dive Insight:
Many librarians have master’s degrees in library science and, more than knowing what books students might enjoy best, they are highly skilled researchers. As the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts demand more analytical rigor in student writing, research — whether it be online or in books — is critical, and librarians are best-suited to help students master the art.
When it comes to makerspaces, they are becoming more popular at schools across the country. The White House celebrated its second annual National Maker Faire in June, kicking off the National Week of Making. Many districts are opening makerspaces in their buildings, and Baltimore City is getting ready to launch its first mobile makerspace, giving K-12 students across the district access to tools and activities many do not have in their schools.
