Best of the Web: Selections From SLJ.com
By Staff -- School Library Journal, 5/1/2007
Diane Chen/Practically Paradise I am not advocating totally unlimited roaming on the internet. I teach in an elementary school and don’t want children mistakenly accessing some sites. However, I do believe the court rulings on CIPA indicate that there must be reasonable procedures in place for adults to request reviews of blocked sites to provide timely access of appropriate sites. I am the information professional in my building and I do choose resources valued at nearly $1 million dollars a year. I am quite capable of ascertaining appropriate internet sites. The procedures need to be in place to value my expertise while still providing the protection my students need. Doesn’t this seem too logical?—April 19 Christ Harris/Digital Reshift If you want to get involved in some of this “Web 2.0 stuff” but have been nervous about making a huge leap into unfamiliar territory, there is a new possibility. Joyce Valenza used the new social networking site, Ning, to create the TeacherLibrarianNetwork. This is a great group of people interested in talking about teacher librarian issues, possibilities, and potentials. Like most social networking sites, the Teacher Librarian Network allows you to create a mini-blog, post comments, share photos, and create a group of friends. Unlike other networks, though, this is a group of mostly school librarians - and thus a smaller (safer?) network with which to get started.—April 18 Amy Bowllan/Bowllan’s Blog Dear Mr. Imus, As an educator, I must say that your recent comments really struck a sour cord with me. But it’s a “teachable moment.” I’d also like to add that you put us (educators that is) in a very uncomfortable situation…Please let me know, how does one explain being called “nappy head” in the context in which you used it? I’ll leave out the other offensive remark. But thankfully there are some wonderful books out there that can explain away your disparaging comments and provide a positive outlook for our young people.—April 12 Talkback/January Cover I think that the two writers who were offended by the cover need to “get over it.” Having breasts does not mean they are “Dolly Parton-esque.” And maybe, just maybe, what really offended them was that this was geared to younger librarians. Half the people that I know that are my age have tattoos. They are not “taboo” anymore.—March 24
