This report presents selected findings from the Public School Library Media Center Data File of the 2011-12 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). SASS is a nationally representative sample survey of public and private K-12 schools, principals, and teachers in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. School districts associated with public schools…

This report examines the state of public and private school library media centers in the United States in 1999-2000. The data used in the report come from the 1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), the nation's most extensive sample survey of America's public and private schools and library media centers. Sponsored by the National Center…

Reviews and assesses the level and type of research activity in school librarianship and discusses the use of the experimental, historical, and descriptive approaches by researchers in the field. Research that builds on prior efforts and the use of statistics are also described. A 60-item reference list is attached. (Author/JL)

Describes an assessment instrument developed by Norman (Oklahoma) Public Schools based on "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning", published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Emphasis on partnerships encourages assessment by…

Provides and explains an instrument developed for evaluation of the teacher-librarian by the principal. Discusses the need to separate evaluation of the library program from the evaluation of the librarian; includes guidelines for principals regarding necessary professional and personal competencies for teacher-librarians; and discusses the…

This presentation addresses the issues of change in perception of the role and program of modern school library and information services (SLIS). A brief review of the various aspects of school librarianship over the past decade is addressed from the global perspective. The purpose and function of the modern SLIS is examined. The role of the…

If students can direct visitors to their school library/media center, it probably is central to their learning. A 1992 study found the size of school library staff and collections to be the best school predictor of student achievement. Budget cuts have resulted in too many understaffed, understocked, and closed-down facilities. Cooperation with…

This report on the activities of the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse during the time period between July 1, 1990, and June 30, 1991, begins with a summary of data on challenges against library materials reported to the clearinghouse during this time period. Details about each challenge reported by public libraries and school library…

Describes and evaluates the library processing center of the Ithaca City School District, which centralizes the ordering, cataloging, and physical preparation of materials for the 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school, and 1 alternative community school in the district. (CLB)

Describes a study that investigated search strategies for electronic encyclopedias by observing search activities in a high school media center where students used "The Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia." The teacher's role, the role of the librarian as teacher and as facilitator, student use of electronic resources, and basic skills for…

Discussion of criteria for use in evaluating telecommunications hardware for a school library's online searching program focuses on modem selection. The differences between internal and external modems are described, and a prioritized checklist of recommended features for external modems is presented. (CLB)

Critical review of Periodical Indexes, a computerized instructional package designed to strengthen student skills in using periodical indexes in the library. A sample of the Software Evaluation Checklist, developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, is included. (JJD)

Describes a study of secondary school library media specialists that was conducted to investigate the potential use of reference transaction measures. The use of the Reference Transaction Module is explained which used three different output measures: Transaction Analysis, Reference Completion Rate, and Transactions per Student. (LRW)

Points out some of the library media center policies that have changed because of technology. Highlights include the following: standards-based policies, legal issues, key American Library Association policies from the 1998 Information Power guidelines, suggestions for creating policies, and adoption of policies by the appropriate governing body.…

A study conducted to assess the needs for inservice experiences as perceived by learning resources specialists employed in Texas public schools asked a random sample of 313 practitioners to rate a comprehensive list of competencies in educational technology and library science as being of value in the performance of their jobs, and to evaluate…