Hyperlinked

The overarching theme in many of our readings has to do with having a malleable mind-being able to adapt and change and try new things in order to best serve our library patrons.  Becoming a hyperlinked library is not only about the technology involved in making this happen, but it's a philosophy that you either get or you don't.  If you don't, however, maybe you shouldn't be a librarian.  The hyperlinked philosophy is one that celebrates change, understands that change is part of nature, looks forward to the challenge of finding new solutions, is not afraid to try new technology, is built on trust,  and refuses to hide in the back room.  

And this philosophy doesn't just apply to the library, but to world at large in the 21st century.  As a student becoming a school librarian, I keep hearing the popular buzzwords-21st century learner, globally connected, collaboration, inquiry-based learning.  What scares, but also excites me is that the hyperlinked philosophy is surprisingly absent in many of the schools I have observed.  It scares me because I know the challenges are monumental. I will have to try to change the minds of the faculty,  administration, and the district.  I will have to prove that adding certain technologies are beneficial to the students.  I will have to teach everyone how to use and incorporate that technology.   The exciting part is knowing that people will eventually see the pay off and the students and teachers will be both better learners and better educators.