Herald Sun (Australia): 2008 February 19
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23236643-2862,00.html
THE traditional library is fast transforming itself to keep up with the digital age, as the internet forces a move from wall-to-wall books to wall-to-wall screens.
Victoria's community libraries have had to reinvent themselves as digital learning centres to remain relevant.
The State Library of Victoria has recently increased its digital reach by providing wireless internet access to more than 400 patrons inside the library, on the lawn, and in the cafe.
Patrons can now gain access to library databases, journal articles and other reference material, without the hassle of ploughing through copious hard-copy collections.
"The big role of a librarian these days is to help people navigate digital resources while still maintaining the effort with traditional services," State Library spokesman Greg Honeyman said.
Melbourne University arts student Laura Wong, 20, spent yesterday studying in the library, using both her laptop and library books.
"It's really easy to look something up on my computer if I need to, and then just go back to reading," Ms Wong said.
School libraries are also feeling the heat as laptops replace textbooks.
Education experts say library-free schools are a reality in a computer society, spurred on by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's pledge for every school student to have access to a computer and provide every school with broadband.
One new Melbourne school, Coburg Senior High School, does not have a library, preferring students to use research materials online.
The school still employs a teacher librarian to show students the best possible way to get access to information.
School Library Association of Victoria executive officer Mary Manning said while the concept of a school library had changed to embrace the digital age, teacher librarians were more important than ever.
"Teacher librarians are still showing students how to access the most appropriate information and use it effectively, even if they are doing it online," Ms Manning said.
"There are still the same issues about information literacy and it is even more important, as there is a lot of misinformation on the internet," she said.
Victorian Association of Secondary School Principals president Brian Burgess said it was possible more schools would go down the path of removing traditional libraries and keeping teacher librarians.
"For research, you can't beat the access through the internet," Ms Burgess said.
"But you still need people like teacher librarians there to help the students."
