Libraries and literacy.

Award-winning library project mixes high-tech with human touch to hook kids on reading

"Profound changes in society and technology during the last decade have resulted in massive changes in education and libraries," notes Caryl M. Jones, the librarian at Ventana Vista Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Under her leadership, the library at Ventana Vista serves as a vital resource for the 550 students in the K-5 school--a high-tech hub with a human touch.

Jones's project, "Building Partnerships for Learning Through Reading and Technology," was the Southwest regional winner in last year's IRA Presidential Awards for Reading and Technology contest. The contest is sponsored by The Learning Company.

"As librarian at Ventana Vista," says Jones, "my vision is to empower students to pursue knowledge within and beyond the school day by engaging them in the application of reading skills and strategies for understanding and enjoyment, and by providing rich opportunities for students and their families to create, explore, and investigate their world through reading and technology."

Creating learning links

As part of this vision, Jones has developed programs that allow students at various grade levels to use technology to support reading.

[check] I Wonder Project. Even before they learn to read, students at Ventana Vista are learning to locate school library sources and search for information in a resource base. The I Wonder Project integrates the power of questions, reading, thinking, technology, and personal interests.