Microsoft and Google have very different business models. Microsoft believes that if they build it, people will come--and buy their products. Google's approach is different: if they build it, people will integrate it into their lives. People use Microsoft's product on Microsoft's terms, but people use Google products on "their" terms. In this…

The medical community understands surprisingly little about autism, referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), because its symptoms can range from severe to a high-functioning autism, known as Asperger's syndrome. There's general agreement that a genetic predisposition coupled with unknown environmental triggers may explain what's behind it,…

Presents guidelines to help children's librarians develop libraries that will meet the future needs of children. Highlights include developing leaders; winning allies; improving public relations efforts; policy formation; organizational change; changing library education; doing research; and the need for evaluation. (LRW)

Discusses the changing role of the school library media specialist. Highlights include the impact of an increase in job complexity and decreases in library funding; strategies for delegating; circulation; equipment operation; and empowering teachers. A sidebar lists 11 different perspectives of the media specialist's role. (11 references) (KRN)

Describes a program in Seattle, the Rapid Library Transformation Initiative, that was designed to help transform libraries by changing the way librarians do their jobs. Discusses the presentation by Michael Eisenberg that encouraged school librarians to reach out to teachers more frequently and focus on their roles in information literacy, reading…

Since children's librarianship developed as a specialty, children's librarians have perpetuated beliefs and behavior patterns that may lead to the elimination, downgrading, or ostracism of children's services. New goals and workable plans are needed if children's services are to be managed wisely and avoid being trapped by these myths. (JPF)

Describes the causes and symptoms of technostress (a modern disease of adaptation caused by an inability to cope with new technologies) as it relates to school librarians. Skills for managing change and conflict are discussed, and case studies of several actual victims of technostress are presented. (MES)