The Rationale for Non-Book Materials in Libraries, Part I

For centuries, one of the core services of libraries and librarians has been the instruction of patrons on the necessary skills of textual literacy, the ability to read and write in a particular language. In order to interact with and contribute to one's society, people need to be literate. However, the evolution of communication technologies that has taken place in the last 15 years has significantly altered the environment in which we learn and share knowledge. It is no longer enough to focus solely on the ability to read and write text. Technology has changed our world dramatically and library patrons need libraries to change as well. If librarians continue to only promote textual literacy, they are failing their patrons. In order to best serve patrons, libraries and librarians need to move from just textual literacy to transliteracy. Libraries need to assume the task of ensuring that all people are transliterate. A strong emphasis on non-book materials, programs and services will position libraries as the social institution that provides the access and training for acquiring the skills of transliteracy (Newman, 2010).

Newman, B.L. (2010). Libraries and transliteracy. [PowerPoint slides}. Retrieved from http://librarianbyday.net/transliteracy/transliteracy-slideshows-and-videos/

Bobbie L. Newman's presentation on Libraries and Transliteracy