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About LMT


 Welcome to the Teaching Others to Use Library Media & Technology Blog

The purpose of this blog is to provide a space to teach and learn how to use library technology. Through the conversations and content provided via this blog, students can learn from students, techs, and teachers. This blog is inspired by coursework from Palomar College's LT 130 class (spring 2021).

LT 130 is part of the required coursework for the Palomar College Library and Information Technology Certificate. The coursework for this certificate includes a total of eight classes. Upon satisfying the coursework, students will acquire skills, training, practice, and knowledge needed to support careers in library/media technology.

Library/media technology experts are needed today more than ever because using library technology platforms has become a somewhat specialized skill set. Therefore, anyone who works in the field of library science will benefit from learning the various technologies that libraries and associated organizations use. The age of fast-pace technological advancement has made library information technology expertise relevant and in high demand.

The creators of this blog are emerging library tech professionals. As such, we need a space to practice engaging with library patrons and other end-users who have questions about how to use library technology and learning resources. In this capacity, this site is a space to learn how to teach others.  

As you navigate our blog, feel free to engage in a conversation about using library resources and technology today. We welcome your polite constructive feedback.



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"About LMT" Page

The State of School Libraries --- by Patty Hiebert

  According to the American Association of Libraries (ALA), there is a positive correlation between the number of certified librarians in a school and higher test scores among students, yet we see a trend: fewer librarians, lower funding, and higher students per librarian ratios (ALA, “State of America’s Libraries 2020”). How can schools support student success if libraries are taken out of the equation? Case and point: In California, the 2000-2001 academic school year reported ratios of one librarian to 4,306 students (1:4,306) as compared to 2014-2015 when the number of students per librarian increased to 7,187 – that’s about a 67% increase (“State of America’s Libraries 2020”). Another 2016 report published by PACE (Policy Analysis for California Education) compares California to the U.S. average: California with one librarian to 32,216 student ratio as compared to the U.S average of one librarian to 1,178 students ( edpolicyinca.org ). Funding in California is a complicated ...
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The Demise of School Libraries

The Demise of School Libraries by Shannon Rapo The demise of school libraries has been a hot topic in the world of public schools for over a decade. Budget cuts in education have forced many schools to shutter its library or significantly reduce funding. There is also the issue of loss of librarians. According to Keith Curry Lance, a reporter for the School Library Journal, “ Between the 1999–2000 and 2015–16 school years, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that the profession lost the equivalent of more than 10,000 full-time school librarian positions nationwide.”  In her article “Denver Teacher Librarian Brings Students Back to Library”, Kara Yorio showcases a teacher librarian who saw the demise of her library due to lack of focus on reading in the district as well as a complete lack of support from the teachers. The article suggests that if no one is using the library then of course it becomes obsolete. Fortunately, the librarian recognized this and be...
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Making Makerspaces Accessible by Sara Zeller

  Making Makerspaces Accessible  By Sara Zeller   “Ultimately, the outcome of maker education and educational makerspaces leads to determination, independence and creative problem solving, and an authentic preparation for the real world through simulating real-world challenges. In short, an educational makerspace is less of a classroom and more of a motivational speech without words” (Kurti et al., 2014, p. 11).       I remember the day first time my son saw a robotics team demonstration. We were at our local library and the high school robotics team was teaching a weekly class on the basics of robotics.  He was too young at the time to join this group but he was enraptured with the concept, that summer I signed him for a Lego robotics camp.  Fast forward to a few years he was old enough to join the class at the library, then join the team at his middle school as well as take the class as an elective.  Being witness t...
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