This statement in support of Education Consolidation Improvement Act reauthorization discusses six topics related to school libraries: (1) purpose of school libraries; (2) research supporting need for school libraries; (3) current status; (4) funding realities; (5) deteriorating book collections; and (6) impact of federal aid. An American Library…

Provides an overview of current issues related to student assessment. Focuses on the ability of library instruction and library research skills to help students develop critical thinking skills. Presents selected comments from respondents to a survey regarding the current status of libraries in student assessment. (DMM)

Discusses library media research and provides specific guidelines to enable school media specialists to read research critically and to apply valuable research at the local level. A seven-item reference list is attached. (JL)

The need for library services standards to reflect the growth in cooperation and interdependence among libraries and for accountability and their intended purpose, impact on directional changes, and on services improvement are discussed as well as the implications of their being based on scientific inquiry. Listed are 24 sources. (RBF)

Reviews curriculum guides and the research literature to examine locational skills instruction in elementary schools and the transferability of skills to the public library. Factors that may limit instructional effectiveness are identified and the need for public children's librarians to have realistic expectations of children's abilities to…

A study was undertaken to identify the tasks which make up the day of library/media specialists in Mississippi. A jury of library/media specialists and professional administrators reviewed tasks identified by the national model and the Mississippi State Board of Education and developed a questionnaire which identified 21 selected library/media…

Examines the basic components of research as they apply to the school library media field. Problems involved in conducting research, synthesizing and evaluating research efforts, and disseminating research results are discussed. A checklist and bibliography of research reviews in the school library field and a 42-item reference list are included.…

Describes two studies conducted in the DeKalb County (GA) School System's secondary school libraries, one on DIALOG, the other on the use of the Internet and media specialists' perceptions of that tool. Discussion includes the application of experience from the DeKalb library to other new school library Internet projects. (16 references) (KRN)

The impact of an automated circulation system and online catalog on interlibrary loans at a county college is evaluated in terms of activity by patron type, periodicals usage, costs, borrowing activity, and interlibrary loan activity. (CLB)

Discusses CD-ROM technology in conjunction with three components of the virtual library: (1) a fully functional computerized network; (2) digital information that is content rich; (3) knowledgeable users. These concepts are related to the results of a study of CD-ROM applications in 301 secondary-school library media centers. (eight references)…

Summarizes findings of library research according to specific areas of library skill and, where appropriate, school level investigated (elementary, secondary, or post-secondary). Implications of studies for present practice and future research are discussed from perspective of school districts, building-level library media specialists, and library…

Discusses the use of quantitative collection development and use studies as research tools to evaluate the quality of children's library collections. Four studies, conducted in school and public libraries, that involve analyzing data with statistical tests are reviewed to show how data already being collected can be developed into research…

Presents the position of the American Association of School Librarians on the essential contribution of school library media programs to elementary education. Twelve principles that codify the role of school library media centers are given and 35 research studies supporting them are listed. (EM)

The Educational Priorities Panel (EPP) conducted a mail survey of New York City school library staff, a telephone survey of community school districts, and an analysis of budget and payroll data for library services. Additionally, two member agencies, the Citizen's Committee for Children and the Women's City Club, undertook a cooperative study on…

Analyzes selected research articles published in 1993 that address issues affecting school library media centers. Highlights include collection of circulation statistics, staffing patterns, challenges to library materials, technology utilization, library automation, access to children's literature by Spanish-speaking children, library networks,…