Although each type of library works in similar ways to achieve these goals, important differences exist.
Different roles
|
| PUBLIC LIBRARY |
| SCHOOL LIBRARY |
| To meet the learning, recreational, and informational needs of our customers, providing an open environment for our community |
MISSION |
To prepare students to become effective and efficient users of resources, ideas, information and other intellectual properties |
| General Public all ages- preschoolers to senior citizens. |
USERS |
Specific known community of youth and those who teach them |
- Supports broadest spectrum of community needs and interests
- Supports popular interests
- Supports homework/research assignments
|
FOCUS OF COLLECTION |
- Supports curricular and instructional needs
- Complements course work
- Supports and enhances personal interests
|
- Loan a broad spectrum of materials
- Reference services
- Homework/research support
- Community networking and outreach
- Independent selection of resources
- Year-round after school, evening and weekend programming
|
PRIMARY SERVICES |
- Instruction in information/research skills and use of information technology
- Curriculum planning, development, and support
- Guided selection of resources
- Collaborative planning and teaching
- Distance learning programs/courses
- School year programs
|
| Providing access to books, information and programming that support community needs and interests. |
PRIMARY ROLE OF LIBRARIAN |
Teaching information literacy skills: accessing, evaluating and using information, while respecting intellectual property rights |
- Meeting rooms
- Primary hours include evenings and weekends
- Open public access
|
FACILITIES |
- Class instruction space
- Primary hours - school day
- Limited access to provide safe environment
|
