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ASW Library Administration

Purpose of this Site
With advances in technology, the roles of both the library and the librarian have changed drastically. To remain useful to patrons we must become part of the Google generation. Although we are still in the business of helping students learn and nurturing a love of reading, we need to look at the ways in which technology has changed how people learn and accommodate these changes. The library needs to become what we call a Learning Commons where we can showcase the best teaching and learning practices. We need to create a virtual world where we have a warehouse of digital materials such as ebooks, databases, and student-generated content that is available 24/7. Librarians must become fluent in Web 2.0 or risk becoming dinosaurs. This wiki is set up to provide the information needed to create a learning commons that will meet the needs of learners.

Library Mission Statement
The library media center is an educational facility that promotes student literacy and a life-long love of learning. The mission of the library media center is to provide and maintain an attractive, stimulating, and enriching environment that ensures that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. This mission is accomplished by:
 * Providing intellectual and physical access to materials in all formats
 * Providing instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas
 * Working with other educators to design learning strategies to meet the needs of individual students
 * Bringing technology intensive, information-rich learning to students

Beliefs about Learning with Technology in the Library
Students must be taught to seek diverse perspectives, gather and use information ethically. The amount of information available electronically necessitates that students acquire skills to identify authority, note conflicting information, and determine what is point of view or bias. When students complete research, they must be able to use technology to effectively contribute to the exchange of ideas within and beyond the learning community.