In all of these resources, they specifically focus on the importance of literacy. In the first article, they expand on the importance of new technologies and the learning opportunities they bring to the table that “challenge the traditional practices of schools and colleges” (Collins & Halverson, 18). Collins and Halverson believe that schools should not just rely on standardized testing which is an assumption that all students learn the same exact thing, the same exact way in the same exact time. Instead, using technology in education allows for specialization in teaching which lets the student learn a subject in a way that makes sense to THEM through gaming, comic books, podcasts, etc. These different media outlets may help the students stimuli. Technology can be fun but also help improve literacy. The other articles reintroduce the importance of libraries and WHY. Gaiman believes that fictional reading allows one to creatively grow and broaden their horizons to view the world as THEY see it. Gaiman views on reading and reading fiction and has been influenced by the author Dean Myers. Someone he respects and looks up to. In the podcast, This American Life: Room of Requirement, they share the real life experiences and opinions of libraries of those who have been impacted by them. It is stated that libraries are not just a place full of books for some people. It is home, it is a safe space, it is a classroom, or a “coffee shop”. Libraries can be whatever you want them to be and they are important in todays society. The narrator stated that, “Some people want libraries to give them something that only exists in a book.” Be creative. Be trusting. Understand the importance of the space that libraries create for people.
While reading these articles I found out how unaware I was of what libraries mean to this world and how much of an impact they have. Growing up, I did not utilize the library much. I did get excited to go to the library during class time in elementary school and sometimes I would go to the local library with my parents during the week, but after K-5, libraries were not something I used in my day-to-day life. I did not have any interest in them either. Even now, I do not utilize Shield’s library as much as I feel that I should. I want to, and I know i need to, and I will.
How can we reintroduce what libraries are here for and how one can continue to keep libraries alive. Being that technology continues to improve and progress, do you think it will negatively effect libraries?
Natalie's Blog 
Your experience with libraries is similar to mine, after a certain extent they were not significant to me and my learning anymore. The question you pose to the class in some ways makes me sad because as I sit here thinking about it, I can’t come up with a solution to keep libraries alive since they are being replaced by online resources. Their initial purpose was to allow people to have access to all types of information, but why struggle through all that when we have access to things like google on our cell phones. It is sad for me to say, but libraries as a resource for information will continue to decline with the progress of technology and without a solution will probably cease to exist anymore except in like University, Historical, and Scientific settings.
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