[Publib] Children and technology

[Linda Ballard]

Ahhh...I remember those dusty old scrolls that Tom Cooper writes about
with such touching nostalgia.  Children, like many adults, are attracted
to the new and shiny.  At our library, for every children's DVD we own,
we have 27 books, and for every available computer in that area, we have
over 4,000 books on the shelves.  Perhaps the perception that kids are
swarming over these newer technologies and ignoring books is somewhat a
function of their relative scarcity. In my experience, children still
love stories - in any form.  Forget about scrolls and stone tablets --
we still haven't totally given up the oral culture - Storytimes remain
well attended.  The worst punishment my three and a half year old
grandson can be threatened with is taking away his books - whether by
not reading to him at bedtime, or not allowing him to choose his usual
four or five to "read" himself to sleep with afterwards.  And this is a
kid with a huge TV in his house and parents who spend much of their work
and leisure time online.

 

I personally will always be drawn more to the printed word than stories
delivered by the various newer technologies like television, DVDs,
audiobooks, and online experiences.  My grandson may ultimately prefer
one or more of these technologies over books.  However, like the
discussion of cell phones - it's the behavior, not the technology.  With
stories, it's the story, not the means of delivery.  Libraries deliver
that content in many different forms, which change over time.

 

Linda V. Ballard

Director, University City Public Library

6701 Delmar Blvd.

University City MO 63130

314.727.3150; fax, 314.727.6005

 

"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will
get you through times of no libraries." Anne Herbert, The Whole Earth
Catalog

 

 

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