In this policy brief, the authors examine and provide examples of the ways that public libraries have become invaluable partners in supporting family STEM learning. Although emerging research points to the strong influence of families on children's growth and development, a focus on joint parent and child STEM learning is still nascent. This brief…

In 2010 the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) responded to rapid changes in school libraries by convening the "Wisconsin School Library Summit: Envisioning 21st Century Learners and School Library Media Programs." Summit participants discussed the future of school libraries in Wisconsin. During the summit, several…

During the past year, Wisconsin state legislators debated a series of bills aimed at closing low-performing public schools and replacing them with privately run charter schools. These proposals were particularly targeted at Milwaukee, the state's largest and poorest school district. Ultimately, the only legislation enacted was a bill that modestly…

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Division for Libraries and Community Learning frequently receives requests for information on the legality and desirability of combining school and public libraries. The purpose of this publication is to help communities and school districts determine whether a combined school and public library…

The purpose of this document is to help communities and school districts determine whether a combined school and public library will be the best way to provide the most efficient library service for all community residents. A combined school and public library is one that is located in a single facility and operates cooperatively to perform the…

Resulting from a concern for a need to develop strong communication links between school media specialists and public librarians, this publication presents ideas and examples of cooperative activities that are, for the most part, easy to implement. While not all activities may be necessary or even appropriate in all situations, they are presented…

Discussion of the role of school library media centers (LMCs) in Wisconsin highlights the Final Report of the State Superintendent's Task Force on School Library Media Issues. Issues addressed include the media specialist as curriculum partner, education and staff development, programs and technology, facilities, collections and resources, and…

In 1994, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction repeated its 1988 survey of public school library media programs. Included in this report are statistics considered most significant, and those most often requested. The 147-item survey included questions about staffing, services, operation, automation, and facilities related to the library…

A task force on school library media issues was appointed in Wisconsin to describe the current program status in the state; identify those factors that are preventing the fulfillment of the library media program's mission--that every student in public elementary and secondary schools in Wisconsin has a right to a comprehensive program of library…

This report presents some of the more significant results of a 1988 survey of all Wisconsin public schools which received responses from 1,790 schools (90%). Designed to determine the status of library media programs in the state's schools, the 12-page survey asked for over 450 pieces of information about the library media center, its staffing,…

Prepared by a task force of Wisconsin educators, these guidelines are intended to be used by school board members, administrators, and curriculum leaders, including teachers, library media specialists, and other educators, to ensure that the school library media program is an integral part of their school's instructional program. Designed to…

Describes statewide use of MITINET, a microcomputer automation system created to aid resource sharing among small libraries and serve as tool for converting card catalog information to MARC format computer-readable files. Highlights include conversion stages, entering data on microfiche, vendor's role, local level, costs and system requirements,…

To aid elementary, middle, junior high, and high schools in planning an Instructional Materials Center, this handbook presents standards for this modern concept of a school library. The term Instructional Materials Center (IMC) is used throughout to designate a centralized collection of materials, with a staff of professional and clerical…

Describes the automation process in a library resources center in a small rural school district. Topics discussed include long-range planning; retrospective conversion for an online catalog; library automation software vendors; finances; training; time savings; CD-ROM products; telecomputing; computer literacy skills; professional development…

This report addresses the status of library development in Wisconsin, the needs and problems of libraries, and possible ways of meeting these needs over the next 5 years. These long-range plans developed by the staff of the Division for Library Services (DLS) reflect reports submitted to the DLS, surveys, consultations with librarians and…