Offers suggestions to make high school libraries more appealing to students, based on results of a student survey. Highlights include comfortable furniture; decorated walls; community information; limiting rules, including the amount of noise allowed; friendly staff; longer hours; more varied programs, including outside speakers; orientation…

Presents a strategy for completing a library media center policy review, from evaluating existing policies through submitting policies to the school board for approval. Special attention is paid to issues related to the use of new technologies in middle and high school library media centers, including student/faculty technology use, circulation,…

Discusses the changing role of school librarians based on a historical account in North Dakota. The role of automation is emphasized, i.e., how it has changed librarians' tasks, attitudes toward librarians, and how time is spent; and needed skills, teacher collaboration, wider access to materials, and future possibilities are discussed. (LRW)

Describes how to develop vertical file resources for school libraries. Discusses the importance of having primary sources that are not available in other formats; sources for obtaining materials, including the Internet and printed sources; how to organize the materials; providing access; and promoting the collection. (LRW)

Stresses the need to show students the value of traditional print resources while at the same time introducing them to the speed and efficiency of electronic resources in school libraries. Discusses speed of access, quality, electronic research, and electronic books and reading online versus reading a sequential, self-paced print book. (LRW)

Explains 10 basic steps for librarians who are interested in applying for E-Rates, the Universal Service Fund financed by the telecommunications industry as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Provides discounts on technology services including telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections for all public and some…

Includes seven articles that discuss censorship and intellectual freedom in junior and senior high schools. Highlights include access to appropriate information; library material selection; dealing with complaints; a list of potentially controversial titles and topics; a history of book burning; the censorship of fiction; weeding versus…

Suggests guidelines to consider when choosing electronic reference tools for school libraries, including stand-alone systems versus networked versions; other resources that give access to the same information; annual updates; replacement costs; equipment needs; student and teacher needs; training time needed; and ease of use. (LRW)

Archbishop Chapelle High School (ACHS) is an award-winning, girls school in Metairie, Louisiana. This article describes the library supporting the ACHS curriculum, highlighting library skills courses, block scheduling, educational technology and Internet access, the role of the librarian in administration and curriculum development, and public…

Discusses the school librarian's role in helping teachers use the Internet effectively. Topics include access to the Internet, including bookmarks; pro-active Internet use by librarians, including notifying teachers about good Web sites; evaluating Internet information; making use of the Internet's interactive capabilities; and encouraging teacher…

Discussion of ready reference and current events collections in high school libraries focuses on a comparison of two CD-ROM services, EBSCO Topic Search and the SIRS Researcher. Considers licensing; access; search strategies; viewing articles; currency; printing; added value features; and advantages of CD-ROMs. (LRW)

Guides librarians in evaluating "filtering" software which schools may purchase for restricting access to potentially inappropriate Internet sites. This article discusses the workings of filtering programs and practical and ethical questions such as: how sites are restricted, who decides, and whether transactions are monitored.…

Compares the following World Wide Web-based periodical databases, focusing on their usefulness in K-12 school libraries: EBSCO, Electric Library, Facts on File, SIRS, Wilson, and UMI. Search interfaces, display options, help screens, printing, home access, copyright restrictions, database administration, and making a decision are discussed. A…

Discusses abuse of the Internet as an information source for classroom assignments and emphasizes the need for librarians to teach students and staff to evaluate information sources. Considers content, source, access, and structure, and lists Web sites that have evaluation guidelines as well as examples of bad sites. (LRW)

Discussion of free speech on the Internet focuses on three basic options open to schools trying to resolve the dilemma of protecting children while preserving intellectual freedom: commercial censorware, blocking, and filtering. Concludes that adult supervision is still the most effective means of regulating access to the Internet. (LRW)