For me, there's nothing worse- and nothing better- than being a Library Assistant in Trinidad and Tobago. You get to interact with kids when they still have so many goals and dreams: and the time to tell you all about them. They're so excited to learn- on their terms, of course- and it's a pleasure to direct them to the knowledge they want in the format they prefer to use, if possible.
But, of course, there are limitations. Like funding- which for too many local school libraries varies from sparse to non-existent. Then there are the facilities, which sometimes are simply two classrooms put together.
But worst of all, at least for me, there is the internet.
But how could the internet be the WORST thing, you wonder. How can it be the worst when you 're given little to no money for collection development and to run programs and what facilities you do have often suck?
The internet is the worst because it shows me that things could be so much better.
It shows me school libraries abroad that have thousands of dollars at their disposal. It shows me libraries that loan out things like e-readers and cheap tablets. It shows me instances of connection and collaboration that simply aren't possible here. It shows me publishers that offer opportunities but sorry, these are only for people and libraries within the Americas. It shows me conferences I don't qualify to attend, seminars I won't be sent to, conventions I can't afford to visit.
The internet makes me frustrated sometimes. Because I'm sitting here in my own little space. And I see what I've done. And I'm proud of that.
But I know it could be so, so much better.
But, of course, there are limitations. Like funding- which for too many local school libraries varies from sparse to non-existent. Then there are the facilities, which sometimes are simply two classrooms put together.
But worst of all, at least for me, there is the internet.
But how could the internet be the WORST thing, you wonder. How can it be the worst when you 're given little to no money for collection development and to run programs and what facilities you do have often suck?
The internet is the worst because it shows me that things could be so much better.
It shows me school libraries abroad that have thousands of dollars at their disposal. It shows me libraries that loan out things like e-readers and cheap tablets. It shows me instances of connection and collaboration that simply aren't possible here. It shows me publishers that offer opportunities but sorry, these are only for people and libraries within the Americas. It shows me conferences I don't qualify to attend, seminars I won't be sent to, conventions I can't afford to visit.
The internet makes me frustrated sometimes. Because I'm sitting here in my own little space. And I see what I've done. And I'm proud of that.
But I know it could be so, so much better.