The modern Media Center is filled with resources of new, and not so new, technology. Generally included are multimedia workstations, Internet workstations, audio replay workstations, video tape and monitor workstations, and electronic card catalogues. Furthermore, the traditional print library remains very important and cannot be replaced, nor should it be. The books and magazines of today as well as the classics of yesterday remain top stimulators for young minds.
This media collage can be a treasure trove or a dungeon of unhappiness for the student. Much of the outcome depends on the wise management of the Media Center's resources. Therefore, the Media Specialist must be throughly aware of the assets vs. liabilities, pluses vs. minuses and dos vs. don'ts for each type of resource in their care.
For example, most Media Center Specialists are familiar enough with the dos vs. don'ts associated with audio replay to efficiently streamline the use of this resource. However, the pluses associated with the newer technology resources are sometimes overlooked. For example, the electronic card catalogue sells itself to the students, provided that they aren't overly lambasted with restrictions in its use. Our students have so thoroughly accepted the electronic card catalogue that they cannot fathom why it was done with mechanical cards.
There are also several computer-type resources in the modern Media Center. All of these become more efficiently utilized with online printer support. (A black and white printer with a reasonable output (3 - 5 pages per minute) is fine.) The use of a printer might seem unimportant when contrasted with the colors, movement and sounds emanating from the computer screen, since these are the factors which fascinate and hold the student's interest. However, many times these images remain transitory, and are neither well understood nor retained by the student unless they are captured on hard copy.
The remainder of this article will provide a few thoughts peculiar to the "computer-type" resources of the modern Media Center.
The Internet is another resource which can be a treasure house of pluses. Yes, the Internet hookup is sometimes an aggravation to all concerned, especially if problems must be resolved by "away from school" support. However, the Internet, with its huge database and its instant breaking news, both National and International, is a tremendous tool when used wisely. (A working and practical AUP is demanded here, folks.) The Internet can, and should, supplement your print library for research topics and technological information. In many cases, the Internet can provide on-line contact between students and the "players" involved.
The Interactive CD-ROM is another unique tool. Students highly enjoy using this tool due to the colorful images and interactive operation. We prefer CD-ROMs from the latest innovators, such as Doring-Kindersly's Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Science, Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Nature and Eyewitness Virtual Reality Dinosaur Hunter. CD-ROMs, especially, require an on-line printer for maximum utility.
Laser Video Discs are another potetially innovative resource. We have successfully used a laser video disc on African-Americans for lessons on civil rights issues.
Finally, another plus can be attained by using these technologies live, through a large TV monitor, to enable large group participation.
A major constraint associated with our Media Center resources is also worth noting. Our Media Center resources are not available as "play-toys" for the children. Neither are they used for "baby-sitting" services. They are almost always used as supplements for the traditional items of reading and research.
Our best advice to Library Media Specialists is to look for the potential innovations and pluses in both traditional and new Media Center resources. Don't be afraid to try out new ideas and new combinations of use, especially for combinations of the traditional and the new. Results from our recent effort to combine traditional storytelling with on-line Internet activities have been very well recieved. The combination has become known as Storytelling On-Line.
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