The Library as a Hub - Is that OK?

I spent an hour this afternoon in the Champlain Valley Union High School library searching for exemplary DDC 300s resources for our EDLI 276 class assigment. While there, I learned the CVU library allows overnight and weekend loans of ALL reference materials. Librarian Ellen Arapakos and I share the same view on the wisdom of this - high school students wanting to take out REF materials are by nature highly respectful of such materials. Ellen recalled no incidents of loss, damage or other abuse associated with such loans.

With regard to my search for 300s materials, I found some great resources, which I'll add to Discussions on the EDLI 276 webct site. As interesting as the social sciences materials I found, was the social behavior I got to observe. During my 2-3pm visit the library was buzzing; standing room only. Every chair, teriminal, table was taken. There were multiple pairs at the dozen plus computers, exchanges (some homework, some not) happening at almost every table, and quiet reading in progress in the comfortable lounge chairs located in the recesses of the room.

That the library was packed and, in my opinion, quiet enough to read seemed to me a wonderful thing. But I suspect there are those who might be dismayed that it was functioning primarily as a social scene + study hall - as there was less than a handful of students browsing shelves.

I'm interested in professional views on how to guide/manage/balance the social exchange and hub atmosphere that might dominate a high school library in particular. Where, why, and how does the LMS draw lines. Comments, anyone?

A good word about World Book

Welcome! Thanks for visiting my blog -

For this entry, I'd like to follow up on our recent class discussion about encylopedia formats and evaluation of Grolier's, Brittanica, and World Book on-line. Overall, Brittanica got the class vote for presentation and especially its grade-level organization, while Grolier's Multi-Media was praised highly for visual content.

I'd like to include here a good word about World Book (WB) and its information breakdown. WB cuts up dense information on a broad topic into multiple sections with subtitles, helping frame main ideas. There's even an option to "print this section" at the end of each - a possible paper saver. I don't disagree with observations about Grolier's and Britannica, but I didn't want to overlook this appealing quality found in WB.

Overall, I also preferred the writing in WB. In comparing written entries on same topics, I felt WB's tone, organization, and depth of information would likely be most helpful and satisfying for middle schoolers on up; possibly younger groups as well. Granted, this a rather subjective evaluation.

More than anything, I wonder how kids themselves would rank each site and its elements. I'd love to hear back from any and all in that regard!