Libraries vs. MLE's

Article by Mark Osbourne - Modern Learning Environments and Libraries
Pages 7-8

In reading this article by Mark Osbourne from SLANZA's magazine Connected Issue 12 I have a few responses. Mark is a passionate advocate of libraries, even though his school Albany Senior High is the epitome of a modern learning environment.

He notes that traditional schooling was all about separation into separate desks, classrooms etc. Compare that to today's vision of connectedness and collaboration, and our buildings have not caught up to the modern vision. He notes that the vision of the New Zealand curriculum states that “young people who will be confident, connected, actively involved, and lifelong learners.”

Mark wonders about the future of the library and comes up with 4 answers to keeping it relevant:

• The service centre  which teaches information literacy, digital citizenship, communication and research skills etc. 
• The gallery which showcases students work and creations
• The community space held for meetings and events etc.
• The Storehouse for artefacts and expensive resources.

I agree with Mark that all of these things, but find that he misses the point about a space just for books, relaxing, and reading for enjoyment and pleasure.

Sure, students are connected in new ways to more amounts of literature than ever before, but that doesn't discount a hard copy of a book. Reading from a device and reading a real book are two different experiences. I think browsing a bookshelf will bring a lot more interest than browsing an online shelf. 

I also believe that MLE's are for collaborating and working, whereas libraries can be for reading for pleasure. Libraries are all about literacy. We as humans have created a space for the love of reading! I think this is amazing and says a lot about us as people. I believe that there is still space in education and for both MLE's and libraries to work alongside each other in perfect harmony.