In a first of its kind report, library leaders from eleven urban school districts across the U.S. relate the challenges faced and the strategies implemented to add school librarians. Conducted as part of a federal grant, Debra Kachel, Core Team member of the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians (PARSL), interviewed school library…

This document records testimony from a hearing held to examine combating graphic, explicit content in school libraries to protect kids. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable Aaron Bean, Chairman, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education; and (2) Honorable Suzanne Bonamici, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on…

The gap between the reading and writing skills of high school graduates and the demands of freshman college coursework and employers was one of the greatest concerns when the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers were developing the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS-ELA). A…

Today, as the needs of libraries change and librarians face shrinking budgets, selecting the best periodicals from over 147,000 possibilities becomes ever more difficult. This guide simplifies the task by offering the guidance of 150 experts who have screened and evaluated the universe of periodicals to produce this annotated list of approximately…

Presents an historical overview of the rise of conservative pressure groups after 1980 and their association with an increase in censorship activities in schools. Discusses the influence of the Reagan administration; library materials selection; textbook selection; secular humanism; and trying to affect the curriculum rather than targeting…

Censorship problems are becoming more complex. Liberals as well as conservatives are objecting to certain materials. And because selection of textbooks and school library materials hinges not only on content but on budgetary and instructional considerations, school censorship cases can be even more difficult to pinpoint. (SJL)

Presents nine questions to use when interviewing administrative candidates for the school library. Questions focus on: challenges facing the district/school; implications of increased independent study; prioritizing reading achievement; technology role; Internet filters and use policies; dates of materials; evaluation criteria; prioritzing…

Ten books and articles published between 1981 and 1982 and cited in "Resources in Education" or "Current Index to Journals in Education" are listed in this bibliography for educators and the general public. Emphasis is on libraries and the censorship issue and the major portion of the bibliography is devoted to publications…

Describes an investigation on the impact of book review warning symbols on the selection of books by library and education students for children from preschool through 8th grade. Results showing a negative influence are discussed, as well as implications for media specialists and teachers in choosing materials. References are included. (BK)

Controversies about the choice of books in school libraries raise two perplexing questions: (1) To what extent does the First Amendment allow the government to control what students read in schools? (2) If educational materials are to be selected, who makes these decisions? Several relevant court cases are reviewed. (Author/IS)

Included in this document are two competency-based tests created to evaluate candidates for Basic Media Endorsement and Professional Media Endorsement. There are two forms for each test, and each test emphasizes the skills required to evaluate and select media materials. Questions can be answered in writing, orally, or on audio cassette tapes, and…

This self-instructional learning packet is one part of a competency-guided program for instructional supervisor preparation developed by the Special Education Supervisor Training (SEST) project. Training supervisors to formulate a coherent policy and procedure governing the evaluation and selection of learning materials is the goal of this…

Lists 91 sources, most of which are journal articles, for identifying notable materials for children and young adults, including books, multicultural materials, nonprint materials, special features and noteworthy bibliographies, reference books and electronic sources, free and inexpensive materials, and periodicals. (KRN)

Designed to assist smaller libraries in selecting suitable reference materials for their collections, this annual review source identifies and describes 538 of the most useful and affordable reference sources available. The reviews cover reference titles published in 1998. Detailed annotations describe the nature, scope, and usability of each…

This workbook was prepared in order to assist public school officials in the development of appropriate procedures for the selection of educational resources, handling of complaints, and reevaluation of such material. The workbook was developed by borrowing and adapting language from selection policies from a variety of sources. Introductory…