Social, professional, and learning networks have altered the way humans deal with the volume of information that bombards them daily. Traditionally, the library has served as a center of information in our schools. Because the availability and access to information has changed, many institutions, in both business and education, have chosen to…

Students' levels of exposure to the world rely on many factors such as location, access to information, and socioeconomic status. Educators, can create a level playing field for all. Authentic learning experiences will multiply the paths that lay at students' feet as they embark on their life's journey. Students question because they have been…

The exponential influx of digital content and mobile devices into schools begs for school librarians to engage in discussions and decision making about the selection, classification, management, and distribution of content ranging from e-books to open educational resources. As information professionals, school librarians should channel their inner…

The mission of the Peace Corps (PC) is to promote world peace and friendship. This is accomplished through meeting three goals: (1) To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; (2) To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; and (3) To help promote a better…

Broadly defined, evidence-based practice (EBP) is fundamentally about professional practice being informed and guided by best available evidence of what works. The EBP movement had its origins in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom in medicine and health care services. Sackett et al. defined evidence-based medicine as the "conscientious,…

A brand is an idea in the minds of one's constituents that is created by what one says or does. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) describes itself as a professional membership organization, serving the needs of 10,000 school library media specialists in the United States, Canada, and around the world. In this article, the author…

Describes experiences of a librarian who participated in the World Library Partnership to volunteer in a South African elementary school library during a summer. Discusses classroom teaching techniques; library technical processes; training library staff and teachers; student workers; story times; library instruction; and library policy. (LRW)

Describes school libraries in Australia. Highlights include the title of teacher librarian and their education; the history of the role of school libraries in Australian education; empowerment; information skills and benchmarks; national standards for school libraries; information literacy; learning outcomes; evidence-based practice; digital…

One's commitment to intellectual freedom is manifested not just in the creation of a strong and clear selection policy or the celebration of Banned Books Week but by his or her willingness to examine his or her practices openly with others. In this article, the author proposes four questions to explore in one's teaching and in professional…

Discussion of library stereotypes, particularly school libraries, focuses on plans at the International School of the Bahamas to build a new library that is the center of the entire school. Describes the overall environmental design, floor plans, the inclusion of an amphitheater, moveable walls, and dividing space for primary and secondary…

Discusses school librarianship in Denmark. Highlights include proposals for a joint school library/public library system; student responsibility for their own learning; teaching students to use appropriate information technology to meet information needs; critical analysis of information; cataloging and classification of library materials; and…

Explains the Primary Years Program (PYP), an inquiry framework developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization that describes the characteristics of an international student in the learner profile and describes its use in the Vienna International School. Discusses collaborative planning by teachers; real-life connections; and role of the…

Discusses teaching information literacy, collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians, incorporating information and communication technologies into the curriculum, and helping teachers become familiar with technology. Describes an applicable research-based activity that involved students in grades six through nine at the International…

Discussion of information literacy and school library media specialists focuses on work outside the United States and the need for a more global approach. Describes guidelines, standards and policies and reviews programs in Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand. (LRW)

Provides a brief overview of this special issue and describes international schools and their libraries. Highlights include a profile of international schools based on the European Council of International Schools, an accreditation agency; curriculum; how their school libraries differ from American library media centers; and an interview regarding…