Discusses the planning and preparation necessary to ensure a cost-effective and accurate retrospective conversion of school library catalogs. Suggested strategies include heavy weeding, developing accurate standardized shelf lists with an entry for each holding, and standardizing entries within a school district or region. (CLB)

Discusses aspects of collection management that can be supported by the use of online catalogs, including access to the collection, building library networks, and integrating circulation and acquisitions systems. The use of microcomputers as an alternative to online systems is explored, and a list of software packages is provided. (CLB)

This article reviews studies of school library media collections which address issues related to collection evaluation, networking, collection mapping, student preferences, and special collections. A summary of practical implications of the research findings and a proposed research agenda are appended. (35 references) (SD)

Focuses on the planning process described in "Information Power," recently published guidelines for school library media programs. Topics addressed include: (1) the rationale for program planning; (2) benefits and risks of planning; and (3) the steps in planning a curriculum-integrated program. An instrument for assessing preliminary conditions…

Discusses sampling of circulation data as a technique for library media program management. Highlights include random and purposive sampling techniques; studies of circulation samples; factors affecting circulation patterns; guidelines for sampling circulation statistics over shorter time periods; and an example using statistics gathered from an…

Excerpt from a planning guide to be used with the new guidelines for school library media programs developed cooperatively by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology offers guidance in communicating the purposes of the planning process, outlining a timeline, and determining…

Outlines steps school media specialists can follow to establish direction for library media program and offers methods of documentation and justification. Reasons for documentation, the implementation process (documentation of what is happening, what is needed, how needs will be met), and documentation product presentation are highlighted. Six…

Identifies four common variables in picture preferences of elementary school-aged children: (1) relationship between text and picture; (2) degree of realism; (3) use of color; and (4) amount of complexity. Selection of picture books based on these preferences is discussed, and criteria to help develop standards for selection are suggested. (12…

This document prepared by Calgary Board of Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, discusses a systematic approach to strengthening the library media collection. A statement of principle, what to weed, specific guides to weeding (by Dewey Decimal classification and type of material), what not to weed, procedures, and weeding follow-up are…

Presents guidelines for design of space in library media centers. Requirements for audiovisual media, including projection, distribution systems, viewing, and storage considerations are summarized; and design of spaces for people, including group and individualized instruction, library personnel, information-handling systems, and personal space…

Examines criteria for software selection and the use of software packages (programs, routines, documentation) in school library management. General criteria, specific criteria for selecting library management programs (for tasks such as circulation, cataloging, recordkeeping), specific criteria for selecting educational programs, and reviewing…

Discusses the nature of locally based research, demonstrates its relevance to the concerns of school library media specialists, and outlines the phases and steps involved in conducting locally based research. Resources for, and benefits of, locally based research are also discussed. A 15-item reference list is included. (JL)

Provides some basic guidelines for converting a card catalog to a computerized catalog in school libraries. The advantages of using the MARC format are discussed, and three conversion methods (on site, records created by the vendor off site, and full vendor conversion off site) are compared in terms of the work involved, costs, and time. (CLB)

Describes the three roles of the school library media specialist delineated in new guidelines for school library media programs developed cooperatively by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology: (1) information specialist; (2) teacher; and (3) instructional consultant. (MES)

"The Evolution of a School Library Network: Setting up a CD-ROM Local Area Network (LAN)" describes how to set up a CD-ROM LAN in a school library, including establishing a technology plan and choosing hardware, software, cabling, and staffing. A description of the Texas Education Network (TENET) and reviews of print and electronic…