Argues that the primary purpose of the school library is to provide information, and discusses selection policies, the librarian's teaching responsibilities, the need for clerical assistance, and centralized processing in this context. A vision of the school library as information center is presented with summaries of the roles of teachers, the…

Provides a brief history and overview of current projects in distance education and describes potential roles for the library media specialist in this area as school coordinator or information consultant. Addresses of several distance education projects are listed. (12 references) (MES)

Discusses the importance of the role of librarians in the educational process. The value-added concept is applied to librarians, and requirements in terms of accreditation for school librarians and federal standards for school libraries and librarians are advocated. (MES)

Reviews four books that address educational reform from the perspective of the school library media specialist. The media specialist's partnership role with teachers and administrators as described in "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs" provides the context for the reviews, and the implications of reform for…

Examines the progressive education movement and its relationship to the use of the school library as an alternative to the formal, mechanical processes of classroom instruction. Thirty-seven references are cited. (FM)

Examines conditions in the school district and national concerns affecting the implementation of school library media programs. The importance of these programs to education is discussed in terms of classroom teaching practices, and changes necessary to meet expectations of teacher-librarians are described. (16 references) (MES)

Discusses the need for growth and leadership in the school media profession. Qualities of a good leader are considered and several books, articles, and an institute dealing with leadership are described. (MES)

Presents several arguments in favor of the involvement of school librarians in the planning and implementation of school-based staff development. Five steps in program planning are also discussed: needs assessment, analysis of responses to formulate objectives, identification of resources, implementation, and evaluation. (7 references) (MES)

Argues that educators who service classroom teachers and students should (1) set personal goals and (2) eliminate time wasters. (FL)

Describes various approaches for the media specialist to use in getting teachers involved in library media activities: the Traditional Approach; the "Keeping up with the Jones" Approach; the "Sneak up on Your Enemy" Approach; the "Element of Surprise" Approach; and the "Kill Them with Kindness" Approach. (MES)

Discusses the effects of technology on elementary and secondary education, and focuses on the interrelationship of technologies, teaching techniques, school librarians, and computer service professionals. Examines technological trends, the roles of these professionals, and reviews a report on teachers and technology issued by the Office of…

One solution to limited school library resources is for media specialists to create networks within the school, the district, and beyond to the Internet. Besides access to resources, networks create links for professional development and cooperation. (SK)

In response to recent state and national reports on the status of public education in the United States, the Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction issues this paper primarily to communicate the vital importance of school library media programs and the professionals who direct them in…

This discussion of the responsibility of school media specialists is based on the concepts that the mission of the library media center is one of leadership and support and that, to be effective leaders, media specialists must recognize and support basic beliefs about the goals and objectives of the profession. (CLB)

Discussion of role of school library media centers (SLMCs) in multitype library networks notes five basic factors that contribute to their exclusion from library networks: psychological, political and legal, funding, communication, and planning. Examples of programs attempting to reduce barriers to school participation in library networks are…