Cuts abound despite an infusion of technology, restructured media programs, and research connecting media specialists to improved student achievement. Verbal and written support about the value of a library or media specialist has not translated into monetary support at a time of universal funding problems. All grade levels and district sizes are…

School librarians need to be proactive in identifying new ways to help students prepare for the world of the future. Students need relevant educational experiences that support emerging demands created by information and service based economies. The economies of Pacific Rim countries such as the USA, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada are…

To stay fit, one needs to exercise. It might be a 30-minute cardio workout one day, some weight training the next, or just forgetting about the car and walking. In a similar way, one needs to invest in professional health. What exercise regime do teacher-librarians need to grow their skills and be able to lead? Just like at any upscale health…

"Future" often conjures up something far off. Library media specialists come to realize that the future is often much closer than they think. Web 2.0 technologies have swiftly taken library media specialists into a whole new realm of possibilities. No longer consumers, they have the opportunity to become producers of information and collaborators…

In this article, the influence of timesaving and inspiring reference technologies on the field of reference services is assessed. Library media specialists are advised to be aware of and embrace such emerging technologies, as these will enable them to make information gathering effective and efficient and create information-literate students.

Information literacy guidelines provide all students with a process for learning that is transferable among content areas and from the academic environment to real life. The responsibility for helping students achieve information literacy resides with library media staff, teachers, administrators, and the community. The following five information…

This book provides school library media specialists (SLMSs) with practical guidelines and suggested Internet sites for designing cyber libraries that are reflective of their school's research, curriculum, and recreational reading needs. An introduction provides SLMSs with a rationale for designing cyber libraries. Chapter 1, Cyber Library…

This comprehensive handbook offers detailed instructions for accessing the current performance of--and setting objectives for--school library media programs. Useful for both practicing school library media teachers and those in training, this manual shows how to identify problems and potentials, set goals and objectives, structure evaluation…

This book shows how the high school media specialist and the English teacher can work together to integrate research and library information skills instruction. Emphasizing the importance of teacher-librarian cooperation and curriculum match, this book offers media specialists and teachers practical ideas to explore and implement. The book draws…

This digest is an annotated listing of 50 Internet resources for library media specialists and children's librarians. The resources are organized under the following headings: AskA services; electronic discussion groups; evaluation; Internet basics; keeping current; information literacy; lesson plans; online journals and book reviews; policy;…

This document presents a curriculum framework for Elmira City School District library media programs. Its intent is that library media specialists and teachers in all areas of instruction (Pre-K to 12) work collaboratively under the supervision of the principal to design and implement their own site-based version of this curriculum plan. This…

Adapting today's libraries to better serve tomorrow's needs challenges even the most forward-thinking library staff. This book offers practical, workable solutions from several authorities in the industry. Fifty-five conference papers are included and divided into the following subject areas: "Technology and the Network: Daimons or Demons?";…

This book addresses issues currently facing library media specialists. It is a collection of case studies designed for both the beginning and the experienced professional. The 48 cases cover all types of schools (elementary, middle, and high schools; public, private, or parochial in urban, suburban, and rural communities) and examine four basic…

Bibliographic Instruction (BI), which focuses on the need to make library patrons become more proficient in locating and using information, is a major contributor to information literacy. The 14 papers and essays in this volume describe approaches to proactive interaction with library users with the single goal of achieving an information literate…

Technology is arriving in school libraries in unprecedented quantities, resulting in many changes in the school library media center. While most librarians agree that technology is wonderful, many are feeling the stress of rapid change and coping with the decisions made by educational policy makers. This looseleaf notebook, written for the novice,…