Altobelli and Lambert reflect on recent attacks on the LBGTQ+ community and the tendency to assume representing this community in a school library collection isn't necessary. They ask readers to consider, what about learners whose identities a school librarian may or may not know. They offer both LGBTQ+ term definitions as well as collection and…

The question of why school librarians still struggle to fully enact the roles defined in "Information Power" and "Empowering Learners" may be viewed as a struggle to gain recognition from others that this is what a "real school librarian" does. Discourse Analysis offers school library research a new theoretical and analytical tool to explore how…

It's not easy being a media specialist, especially if one is new to the profession or one has switched schools and is suddenly the "new kid on the block." This article offers 10 road-tested tips that will help every new media specialist not only survive, but also "thrive": (1) Learn the curriculum; (2) Document! Document! Document! (3) Smile and…

A recent American Library Association (ALA) report has shown that less than 1% of credentialed librarians are African American males. This article discusses possible reasons for this dearth; and, in an effort to inform future LIS recruiting and marketing campaigns, the included study attempted to discover which factors lead African American males…

"Urban Teens in the Library" is the perfect solution for the concerns and uncertainty many librarians face when supporting this group of patrons and students. From a team of experts who have researched the information habits and preferences of urban teens to build better and more effective school and public library programs, this book will show…

As a profession librarians are stereotyped as frequently as engineers and accountants--if not more so. They are bifocal-wearing bunheads, collectors of cardigan sweaters, middle-aged women in polyester suits, Naturalizer shoes, and baggy stockings. Besides being fashion disasters, librarians are generally thought of as being exceptionally unsexy,…

Suggests that gender is irrelevant to good library management, questions the argument that women make better managers because they are more nurturing, and stresses the need to challenge preconceptions about the roles of working parents if representation of the sexes among library managers is to reflect the librarian population. (EM)

Male NextGen Librarians remain a rare breed. In fact, 82 percent of librarians are female, according to 2002 U.S. Statistical Abstract figures, and 21 percent of 2002 LIS grads were male, according to "Salaries Stalled, Jobs Tight." The author decided to get to know some of the men who make up this minority. Fifty-one younger male new librarians…

Examines a group of young adult novels written by American Jewish authors to support claim that they have helped establish the irreverent, lively tone characteristic of contemporary literature for young adults. Also discusses definitions of Jewish humor; the use of Jewish places, names, and words; discussion and wordplay; and stereotypes. (EM)

Six symposium papers are included in this document. The first paper, by Henry Chang, is a brief profile of Asian/Pacific American (APA) librarians, emphasizing the need for more data on this group and the need for the group to become more assertive of their rights to equal opportunity in the field. The second paper, by Jane Katayama, addresses…

Argues that teachers and librarians can have a positive influence on the lives of young girls by complimenting their reading choices and search strategies rather than just their shoes and hairdos. Discusses books dealing with beauty, clothes, media stereotypes, women in sports, sexuality, and recommended reading for girls. (PEN)

A study of 62 children's readers in use in three Texas cities demonstrated that such books are less male-focused than they appeared to be in a similar 1972 survey. Contends that both boys and girls would benefit from a still more equitable representation. (DM)

The California Legislature recognized the significant place of instructional materials in the formation of a child's attitudes and beliefs when it adopted "Educational Code" sections 60040 through 60044. The "Education Code" sections referred to in this document are intended to help dispel negative stereotypes by emphasizing…

Discusses four megatrends from John Naisbitt's book--"Megatrends"--which have particular relevance to the electronic library: shift from industrial to information society; need to balance high-tech with high-touch; focus on self-help over institutional help; and change in organizational structures from pyramid hierarchies to networks.…

This review of the literature discusses the image of librarians in popular culture, the importance of projecting a clear and positive image of reference librarians and their work to encourage users to seek reference help, and ways to improve users' understanding and image of librarians. (25 references) (Author/CLB)