Discusses issues that school librarians need to consider when updating and automating their libraries based on examples of experiences in several high schools. Topics addressed include planning; problems; needs assessment; software compatibility and selection; CD-ROMs; and training needs. (LRW)

Discussion of planning for automation in school libraries focuses on plans in the North Kitsap (Washington) School District. Highlights include selection of microcomputer-based hardware and software to support local area and wide area networks; a circulation system and an online public access catalog (OPAC); and database creation and retrospective…

This manual of microcomputer operations for the media center is intended to serve as a guide for students, faculty and staff of West Orange High School, Florida. The philosophy behind the media center is that students and teachers benefit from library services, and that all related equipment, schedules, procedures, and materials should be…

Produced to provide educators and library media personnel with some understanding of and direction in the rapidly expanding field of microcomputers and their applications, this monograph includes several articles dealing specifically with media center applications and others concerned more generally with the microcomputer in educational settings.…

Identifies questions that school librarians considering retrospective conversion should ask to evaluate their catalog needs and questions to ask vendors about their conversion methods. Comparative data about various vendors and methods of retrospective conversion are provided, along with a list of vendor addresses. (CLB)

Designed to assist Ohio educators with the responsibility of complying with the Copyright Revision Act of 1976, this handbook is intended to be used as a tool by library media personnel working in concert with school boards and local administrators to determine policies and procedures for compliance. Discussions include the following topics: (1) a…

This document outlines a workshop for media specialists--"School Library Automation: Solving the Puzzle"--that is designed to reduce automation anxiety and give a broad overview of the concerns confronting school library media centers planning for or involved in automation. Issues are addressed under the following headings: (1) Levels of School…

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…

Describes the advantages and disadvantages of using CD-ROM in the school library media center. Complaints about hardware, software, user problems, staffing, and funding reported by 67 library media specialists responding to a survey are included; and 15 steps for implementing CD-ROM technology are provided. (KRN)

Presents guidelines for library media specialists who are preparing to install automated systems to provide improved management and access services. Reasons for automating library management are discussed; hardware and software considerations are reviewed, including costs and compatibility; and retrospective conversion of bibliographic records is…

Microcomputer applications in the learning resources center and the classroom are discussed in 10 articles. Some of the topics discussed include library automation, the selection of computers for classroom use, the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction, a review of computer software programs that feature dinosaur graphics, and computer…

Twelve articles provide practical information for high school librarians computerizing their libraries, including suggestions for purchasing software and hardware, planning and managing a computer laboratory, and using computers for student instruction and for library procedures. A suggested basic software collection for the secondary library…

Suggested public relations activities for school libraries are presented in nine articles. Some of the activities described include the publication of newsletters and filmdisks using microcomputer software, a celebrity letter campaign, and planned communication with school board members. Resources for further ideas and guidelines are provided.…

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)

Areas discussed in six articles include: literature for critical reading activities; computer software packages for elementary and secondary science classes; professional materials for school media specialists; recommended materials for school libraries; the results of a study of the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction; and documents on…