My article
that I read: http://www.htrnews.com/story/life/2017/10/28/manitowoc-public-schools-have-virtual-library-card-access-manitowoc-library-digital-resources/803833001/
This article talks about how the MPSD now has access through
the school to the Manitowoc Public Library’s e-book collection. I would say
that they already should have access if they use the library at all, but now
they can do it without having to even go to the library. I think that this
could be good, but at the same time horrible for many people. The library isn’t
getting the dues, that they would get from fines, and other donations, because
the students aren’t really going to the library. But at the same time, it is a
great tool for the students who need sources for a school project. I would say
that this is a privilege for the students and staff of MPSD, the same privilege
that is described as, “benefits, advantages, and power that accrues to members
of the dominant group” (Launius & Hassel 74). We may not even see that
there is a dominant group in this at first, thinking that we can use a blanket
for all the students at the MPSD schools. This is all assuming that you have
the resources; A computer and a WIFI connection at your house to be able to
access this information. This is not so, for many families that send their
children to the public school, at least at the grade school level. Assuming
that all parents/guardians will be able to provide these tools for their
students, puts the ones who do not have this available to them at a
disadvantage to the people who can. Not mentioning, or forgetting of the lower
class is a form of oppression, and we need to be more aware of the
circumstances of all the families in
the MPSD.
Thankfully library
cards are free and have hours that they are open to the public that can allow
the less financially fortunate people to access these books for free. The public library is
a wonderful thing that helps even the playing field in education, giving people
who don’t have the means to buy books to be able to have access to the plethora
of knowledge that the library holds. There are some ways in which this also
promotes the use of the public library, and gives students in the high school a
larger range of books to work from and learn from right in class. This is an
opportunity for the teachers to have access to more things to teach to their
students as well, and will hopefully improve the standards of teaching at least
a little. I guess I would conclude that the newspaper assumes that the economic
class of the household reading the news is a middle-class household and
excludes those households that cannot provide with certain necessary items to
access the library materials online.
I completely agree that this can be very bad for some people. I feel as though the point of a library is to actually go to the library and physically use the library books and materials. It does also give privilege to those who are fortunate enough to have the internet and can make use of the e-books. Many of these individuals could care less if a library closes because they will have other ways to get the materials they need. People in lower classes sometimes rely on the advantages of a library because they are free. Sometimes this is a person's only option. Although I haven't been to the library in a long time, my mom goes quite frequently and I thought this was very interesting. I can definitely see some of the benefits along with the disadvantages.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is such a cool feature to add into the school system but like you said, there are many disadvantages to it. I like how you ruled out the possibility of some students not having WIFI or a computer to access the MPL e-books which makes them the group that are oppressed.
ReplyDeleteAlthough coming together can offer a wide range of resources for students and teachers, I feel as if this takes something away from library. I've always loved going to library but now I have rarely have time for it. For the library, this might mean a low turnout rate for those that visit the library.
ReplyDeletethis is an interesting issue to consider--we definitely see how libraries are changing and so many resources can be found online. But how does this privilege folks who have access at home? Do the schools and the libraries provide access to all children during and after the school day?
ReplyDelete