How School Media Specialists Can Utilize the Theme of the Book to Add Value to the Library - Research Paper Example

? How School Media Specialists Can Utilize the Theme of the Book, A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink, to Add Value to the Library Introduction Today is the era when one gets no excuse of being uninformed, misinformed or harshly called stupid. The world is suffering from a plethora of information, and availability and accessibility of facts and data in a matter of clicks and milliseconds. The only thing that portrays a Herculean task is on how to create wisdom, not merely intelligence, out from these mountains of information in the digital age. Information boom shapes the contemporary task of school media specialist in providing appropriate and timely approaches in directing school and community services that fit with the recent trend in knowledge-building and information utilization. Pink (2006) wrote in his book A Whole New Mind insightful ideas about the recent trend in economic conditions at present, particularly in emphasizing the role of the right-brainers in facilitating growth and development. The overall theme of the book will be related to the necessary role of media specialists in contributing to the learning environment of communities. The Big Picture: Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind While it is true that diverse fields of expertise come together in one information-riched building, the society, beginning the Industrial Revolution, puts a premium on skills that require analysis and logic, such as in the field of law, engineering, chemistry, accountancy, business, science among others than fields that require the constant processing of the right brain (Pink, 2006; Berns, 2007). There was a massive demand for intellectuals who processed information based on logic, sequence, pieces and calculations because they will be the brains for mass production, lucrative banking and amazing discoveries in astronomy and genetic science. Pink (2006) postulates that the dominance of the left-brained individuals made significant contributions in society. He concretized his ideas by citing his personal experience during family shopping wherein the growth of the number of malls at present was obvious. Moreover, the affordability of signature brands goes together with the countless choices of clothes in a single setting (Pink, 2006, p. 31). However, the days of affordability and functionality are quite over (Pink, 2006). The present demand now rests on the fact that people want “aesthetical imperative” (Pink, 2006, p. 33). The emphasis turns out to be the “beauty, uniqueness, and meaning” behind products that are created (Pink, 2006, p. 33). People are now starting to search for purpose and meaning in their lives. Library and Knowledge Together School libraries are considered important sources of information both in fields that require analysis, and subjects about communication, aesthetics, arts, psychology and other courses in social sciences. They are educational hubs that take someone miles away from reality through their imaginative minds and ambitious thoughts. For people who need a breath of silence from contemporary noises brought by industrialization and upheavals in technology, libraries are their comfort zones. To lawyers or aspiring lawyers, the library is a place to cohesively argue with the book or its author’s ideas or read legislations about taxation and corporate law. Diverse fields converge in this priced hall of knowledge albeit the differences in preferences. Knowledge is an integral possession, something that can be possessed by anyone but in different volumes and depths. One may get a little information about Abe Lincoln’s life, while the other knows his biography page by page. Needless to say, knowledge and library go hand in hand. Books teach people without age and race discrimination. A child learns to adapt to certain changes in his or her community by acquiring knowledge fed by observations, experiences and children’s books or through parents’ constant lecturing (Berns, 2007). People acquire certain information based on various stimuli. The Big Picture and the Librarians Mchombu and Cadbury (2006) believe that the search for knowledge is one of the fundamentals in achieving personal development and poverty alleviation. The quest to personal development is enshrined under the United Nations Development Programme which includes “leading long and healthy lives,” acquiring knowledge, availability of sufficient training materials needed to achieve a “standard form of living, and to participate in the affairs of the community (Mchombu & Cadbury, 2006, p. 3). The present generation has already achieved “abundance” in material possessions (Pink, 2006, p. 28). As a result, the search for meaning and purpose in life draws out concern on the role of information sources that cater to the holistic picture of life. The breakthroughs in technology and Einstein himself had already contributed to the pleasantness in life. Pink (2006) exemplified his thoughts through people’s emphasis on spirituality provided by various media, such as books and movies. Emphasize More on Meanings Libraries must continue feeding readers with information under the heat of the sun while actually emphasizing good reads about aesthetics, purpose, meaning, emotions, human behavior and relationships. Providing more literatures that focus on “synthesis” rather than mere analysis develops thinking that is oriented towards perceiving things as a whole (Pink, 2006). To provide holistically relevant books and approaches in library services, librarians can adopt Pink’s (2006) six essential aptitudes: design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. Design and Play can be employed through refurbishing libraries such that they attract students and community people to read and get a general picture of life. Campaigns emphasizing the importance of reading are very effective in fostering a community that thinks holistically in order for them to see the beauty of the world. Play is an important additive to design because it adds vigor to people’s experience while inside the library. For instance, children’s section can be integrated with word games that relate to the books they read inside the section. Symphony is achieved through building relationships. Librarians can do both jobs of assisting visitors and constant readers while providing friendship and nice treatment to them. In effect, more readers are encouraged to make the library a present-day mall. Moreover, librarians can do more by providing a “genuine public space” and a friendly environment that can lead to molding the environment that aligns with the “history, values, and characteristics” of the locality (Library Council of New South Wales, 2008). The Story element can be taken literally. Librarians can flaunt accessible books about history or mythologies that are famous literature pieces that significantly affect present lives so that anyone can be interested to read those. Story can enhance one’s perception towards the general picture of the world because of the “emotional element” attached to it (Pink, 2006). Kids can also be encouraged to go to libraries by doing storytelling once in a while. Berns (2007, p. 2) believes that stories told to children give them “universal” representations of the earth, such as human desire and coping with struggles in life. School media specialists should see to it that libraries are sources of lifelong learning and children’s education, thus, providing meaning and empathy (Berns, 2007). Thinking in a general picture of the importance of the library to individual growth can be very helpful in achieving library goals in the first place. When librarians see the importance of understanding the relationships of things, and not in the sequence, they will know their roles in the society. Lastly, providing readers with specialized books can help them enhance R-directed thinking skills. These skills are needed more today than skills related to analysis and logic. The “creative economy” at present needs people who excel in injecting beauty, intimacy and aesthetics in the products or services created rather than the formulaic approach in doing things (Pink, 2006). Conclusion Libraries are indeed vital in achieving personal growth and development. Pink’s book provides important insights as to how media specialists can create holistic approaches in emphasizing their values towards the community in which they serve. Pink’s concept about looking present careers as dominated by specialized fields in aesthetics and empowering relationships presents a framework for librarians to implement strategies in attracting people to read and in fostering a holistic picture in analyzing events and issues, and not a fragmented, traditionalist view of these phenomena. References Berts, R. M. (2007). Child, family, school, community: Socialization and support (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Library Council of New South Wales. (2008). Enriching communities: The value of public libraries in New South Wales. Watsonia, VIC: J. L. Management Services. Mchombu, K., & Cadbury, N. (2006). Libraries, literacy and poverty reduction: A key to African development. Coldharbour Lane, ENG: Book Aid International. Pink, D. H. (2006). A whole new mind: Why right-brainers will rule the future. New York, NY: Penguin Group. Read More