Role of libraries

I can see how instructional technology supports education for students.  Much irrefutable evidence, as well as much chatter,  supports this concept.  Besides, I remember how it was before IT departments and I wouldn't want to go back. 

However, I believe strongly that those of us who are involved in libraries are uniquely situated to aide students in a primary way to ensure that they succeed in college.  It is evident in our mission statement.  We are determined to make kids effective in acquiring, evaluating, and utilizing information.  If they leave our schools proficient in those skills, they WILL succeed in college.  Again there is irrefutable evidence and much said about how it is NOT  'what you know' that counts, it is how well you have honed your skills at locating critical information and knowing when you have found it and how to use it.  Technology is a vital tool for accomplishing that goal.

There is one point that I don't think gets said enough.  As supporters of libraries we offer a service that goes beyond the desire to help students succeed in college.   We have the opportunity to train kids to be lovers of reading that can greatly enrich their lives.  Books can be portkeys that take students anywhere or anywhen they wish to go, even if they decided to be eternal fast food employees.  What a gift.