The document summarizes a panel discussion on the future of school libraries and digital content. It discusses Todd Brekhus of Capstone Digital outlining research his company conducted with school librarians, and the needs they identified for elementary students using digital content. These include audio books with human narration, support tools, and unlimited access to content not tied to devices. The document also provides examples of Capstone Digital's implementations in schools and the increased reading and circulation seen. Erin Sullivan of Gale Virtual Reference Library and Marc Aronson also contributed to the discussion.

2. Joyce Valenza, Teacher
Librarian Springfield
Township High School,
SLJ Blogger
Todd Brekhus, President
of Capstone Digital, deter-
mine digital product vision
and strategy
Erin Sullivan, Product
Manager, Cengage
Learning; responsible for
Gale Virtual Reference Library
eBook platform
Marc Aronson, author, editor,
publisher, speaker, historian,
and SLJ blogger
School Library
Without
Walls

6. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704285104575491863029792640.html?mod=wsj_share_twitter

8. (Hardware-driven)

17. When should
we jump in
and how?
.

60. h
t
t

61. Todd Brekhus
President, Capstone Digital
The School Library Without Walls:
New Content, New Collections

62. Todd Brekhus and Capstone Digital
• Todd
– Educator and Tech Director
– One of the creators: MarcoPolo Web Portal
– Education Software Executive
• Capstone
– Non-Fiction
• Capstone Press
• Heinemann-Raintree
• Compass Point Books
• Picture Window Books
– Fiction
• Stone Arch Books
• Picture Window Books
– Digital
• Capstone Digital

63. School Librarian Research
• We launched Capstone Digital in
2010 after nine months of
research
• We interviewed hundreds of
school librarians and district
administrators
• We launched two primary
products: PebbleGo and Capstone
Interactive Library to address
school library and entire school
– Key needs: easy access,
recorded audio, database for
young learners

64. eBooks-- We can do better for kids and schools
• We also learned:
– Elementary kids need more
than an eBook; they expect
more:
• Audio MUST be human
recorded voice –actors
• Include support tools like
highlighting, search (esp.
visual), and curriculum
standards
– Librarians want open,
unlimited access to digital
books; no check in/check out
– Easy-to-use and Internet-
based, not bound to a device,
but flexibility for devices

65. Other Points
• Quality content matters – great books can become
great digital books and databases: kids could rate and
decide
• Personalization of content is critical but this is
somewhat opposed to the traditional open patron
access models (knowing the user)
• Data about the Digital Reader– not just quiz scores!
• Further innovation is required in
– 21st Century Skill areas like:
• social networking for collaboration
• use of improved database-like functions for critical thinking
• improved curricular connections for student self-learning

66. Digital Content and the Librarians Role
• Digital content available everywhere –
not bound to the physical space of the
library - will change the role of the
librarian
• Librarians can focus on using new
digital tools to:
– Engage students to read more
– Build confident readers that take
ownership in their reading growth
– Appeal to student interests and choice
– Encourage the love of reading
– Increase reading stamina

67. Capstone Digital Examples
• Digital product implementations in over 4,000
schools nationwide. Some examples:
– Charleston County, SC
• Used by 72 schools
• Collection turnover increased by 30x
– Average circulation in 1 year for print books = 10
– Average digital book circulation in same period = 337
– Hillsborough County, FL
• In 85 schools, 70,000 books read in first month
• Summer Reading Camp, 42 schools, 160,000 books read during
Summer School

68. Thank you
Todd Brekhus
President, Capstone Digital
support@capstonepub.com

76. Gale Virtual Reference Library
Erin Sullivan
1-800-877-4253 ext. 8671
erin.sullivan@cengage.com
Thank you!

77. Marc Aronson is an author, editor, publisher, speaker,
and historian who believes that young people, especially
pre-teens and teenagers, are smart, passionate, and
capable of engaging with interesting ideas in interesting
ways.
http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/nonfictionmatters
http://www.marcaronson.com/