And then we release them to...what?

Being a librarian by heart, a techno-nut by choice and an information specialist by profession, I look critically at every library I enter.  Can't help it, part of the DNA.  Here's my story... (Law and Order theme song, please)

After "working" this summer for the first time in a long time..."working" meaning attending conferences, giving presentations, networking and all sorts of other things I have not ever been able to do before...I truly appreciate the hard work and effort that you all have put into your own knowledge and practice.  Times, they are a-changing fast, and we need to keep up.  Be proud of yourself.  Pat yourself on the back.  Pat a co-worker on the back in the most non-threatening, non-harassment, anti-bullying, celebratory manner you can.

We work hard to prepare our students for future educational endeavors, the workplace and successful life experiences in a time of rapidly changing...everything.  Huge responsibility in a world of no perfect answers.

Last week, while working in my office at UW-Oshkosh I decided to peruse the stacks at the library looking to see how universities are adapting to the changing needs of our students and society.  The Polk Library, if you haven't been, really is a nice university library.  Doesn't compare to UW-Madison libraries, but not much does.  (Go Badgers!)



My trip through the stacks began in the education section as a teaching profession is wont to do.  (Yes, I just used the word "wont".)  Here's what I found.  The Spurs to Creative Teaching.  Inspired for more creative approaches to my practice, I picked it up.

Being an avid admirer of the work of Ken Robinson, the first chapter starts out promising:

I quickly checked the copyright date and headed back to Chapter 1.  Several pages in, I returned to the copyright...1964.  What?  1964!  I slammed the book back onto the shelf in disgust.  The poor, studying UW students looked at me shushing my tirade like old school marms.  You have got to be kidding me...1964.

I felt let down, like when you eat anise candy thinking it's a rootbeer barrel.  There were more of the same all up and down the shelves.  Mumbling some 3-letter text-pletives and dejected, I returned to the CMC.

To be honest, the Polk is steadily remaking itself by changing how it operates in a digital world...robust wireless, awesome cafe style study areas, coffee IN the library, BYOD, and more digital librarians.  I still find this unacceptable, however.  From speaking with professors and attending classes, it seems to be characteristic of universities, however.

The students we send out into the world are tech-savvy, high-end brokers of information and technology.  The post-secondary education they receive needs to reflect their future needs as workers and professionals...doctors, lawyers, business people...TEACHERS.  Leaders.  

Here's for the "trickle up" theory.  Keep up the great work.