Electronic Libraries?

New technologies often bring very difficult decisions. Does this new technology make what it is replacing obsolete? The burgeoning availability of online databases and computerized books seem to be making libraries a thing of the past. I think that digital databases are a great investment because they can provide students so many more sources than any fully funded library can. Investing in digital, online databases gives students a wide variety and large amount of sources without the extra space needed to house them. Online databases also take away the hassle of having to maintain a whole library of books. While this is definitely a viable option for research sources, I am hesitant to rely completely on technology for works like fiction and picture books. I do not think that purely because these books are available in digital form means we should utilize it for everything in print form. It is definitely more convenient to complete research online with databases, but reading books should stay on paper. While it may make sense to turn middle or high school libraries digital, I think elementary school libraries should remain primarily in print. I think the children would receive much more benefit from reading hard copies of books at those levels than purely in electronic form. Also, currently there is a smaller selection of these types of works available in digital form so it would not be of that much benefit for students since it would be limiting their selection. I think one of the wonderful things about elementary school libraries is the wide variety and selection that is available to them. If these children are encouraged to read as many books as they can to improve their reading skills and develop a love for reading, I think the best way to offer that to them currently is with books in print.

Toppo, G. (2009, October 27). School chooses kindle; are libraries for the history 'books'?. USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-26-kindle-school-library_N.htm