Middle school media center—it's not your same old library

If you graduated from school ten or more years ago, then chances are that a visit to the Fonda-Fultonville Middle School media center will shock you. Yes, you will still find plenty of books, tables, and chairs, but any resemblance to the library you remember ends there.

Gone is the card catalog—those drawers filled with index cards listings titles, authors, subjects and locations of every publication on the library shelves. In their place you are more likely to find rows of computers and an online card catalog instead.

The  media center has entered the digital age.

As with virtually every area of our lives, computers have become an integral part of a school library—and for good reason. Our world is changing so quickly that it is impossible for a local library to purchase and shelve all of the books and periodicals available to students. Computers provide access this ever growing bank of knowledge via the Internet.

Trouble in the digital world

Most parents are aware that the Internet has a serious downside. Online predators, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content head the list. But, there are other traps awaiting students such as inaccurate or outdated information or the temptation to copy information directly from an online source.

"Kids today are experts on selective aspects of using computers and the Internet," explains middle school media specialist Lori Mead.

Kids are great at video games, instant messaging, and music downloads. Unfortunately being familiar with computers as entertainment is not the same as understanding them as learning tools. Working with her fellow Fonda-Fultonville Middle School teachers, Ms. Mead teaches students to wisely and effectively use computers and the Internet as research tools.

Team effort pays off

Working collaboratively, Ms. Mead and eighth grade teacher Shelly Sanges are currently working with students to improve their research skills. Once every six days, Ms. Sanges brings her class to the media center where they learn to use all of the center's resources, both in print and online.

"We want them to become critical users of the Internet," says Ms. Mead.

That means they have to learn to examine each source and to double-check their information against a variety of reliable sources. Over time, they learn which sources are most helpful and which are inaccurate or difficult to use.

A prime source is the district's paid subscription to WilsonWeb, an online catalog of major periodicals and biographies.

"The students actually help us evaluate this database and help develop our curriculum," she adds.

In another project, English Language Arts teacher Lynn Trevett is using the media center to teach a multimedia class on immigration. The course relies on online materials from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the Library of Congress's American Memory Project and the Ellis Island website.

Students examine, analyze, and write about the visual images they see on these sites. Not only do they learn important information about our nation's past, they continue to develop their ability to write.

The books are still here

With such strong emphasis on computers, you might wonder if there are even books in the media center. Rest assured, Ms. Mead is working to keep the library shelves filled, not simply with books, but with books that students will read.

"I discovered that many students are closet readers," she says. "I met one student who you would never imagine would have an interest in leisure reading. Yet had read an entire fantasy series and was looking for further suggestions."

She notes that the fantasy series such as "Lemony Snicket" and "Harry Potter" are among students' favorites. Many students have limited access to bookstores or a public library, so the school media center is their best chance to find the books they enjoy.

Stocking the shelves has been a challenge. There are limited funds in the school budget to purchase new books.

"The Fonda-Fultonville PTA has been very generous. The proceeds from their annual book fair enable us to buy books for our middle school students," she says gratefully.