Discusses the importance of including primary source material in school library media centers and points out that many are probably already in collection, e.g., the texts of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, videotapes and audiotapes of actual events and voices, photographs, and paintings. Some basic primary materials are recommended. (LAE)

Describes the following resources for managing a middle school media center: literature bibliographies with on-target middle school recommendations and useful annotations; resources for teaching primary sources; resources on censorship and banned books; basic Internet guides; copyright-law resources; information-literacy standards; and…

Examines issues for school libraries related to increasing resource sharing among libraries. The importance of development of a school district curriculum guide and curriculum development policy and the purchase of library materials to support the curriculum is emphasized. Fair use procedures, cost considerations, timeliness, and system…

Examines resources for teaching about the experiences of women on the American frontier. The use of various print and nonprint resources is discussed; and an annotated list of 7 videos, 12 print resources (i.e., diaries, journals, and reminiscences), and 8 sources of background information is provided. Two related lesson plans are presented. (MES)

Eight articles suggest innovative and creative ways to arrange information on bulletin board displays, provide examples of both classroom and library bulletin boards in elementary and secondary schools, and list sources for display materials and library supplies. A ninth article provides guidelines for the production of instructional films and…

Discusses access to Internet resources in school libraries, including the importance of evaluating content and appropriate use. The following online services that provide current factual information from legitimate resources are described: SIRS (Social Issues Resource Series), InfoTrac, EBSCO Host, SearchBank, and the Electric Library. (MES)

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…

Offers suggestions for helping students find enjoyable leisure reading books. Highlights include identifying subject matter, characterization, setting, or pace similar to previously enjoyed books; tools of young adult readers' advisory, including annual lists, bibliographies, and catalogs; peer reviews and recommendations; review newsletters; and…

Describes how to present a good image of the school library media center at the beginning of the school year. Highlights include coming in earlier than the teachers or students to set up displays and present an organized image, library instruction coordinated with English classes, and sample questions for orientation assignments. (LRW)

Suggests ways to stretch media center budgets for technology, based on experiences at Winona Middle School (Minnesota). Topics include keeping statistics, hardware purchase and warranty information, centralizing purchases, planning for the reallocation of hardware and software, creative financing, working with business and community groups, staff…

Eleven articles discussing school library management highlight: (1) use of student assistants; (2) time management; (3) human resource management; (4) administrator-librarian cooperation; (5) an educational platform for librarians; (6) accepting a new assignment; (7) dividing tasks between two librarians; (8) automating circulation; (9) moving a…

Continues a discussion of how library media specialists can become more organized. Topics include reducing the time spent dealing with paperwork by having someone else sort the mail; organizing paperwork by the use of folders and files; and desk space and other appropriate furniture, including space for computers. (LRW)

Discusses the necessity of preservation and conservation activities in school libraries to save materials such as school newspapers, programs of events, censorship records, board activities, yearbooks, and student projects. Topics discussed include brittle, deteriorating paper; monitoring the physical environment, including heat, light, humidity,…

Describes an evaluation that provided data regarding the roles of school library media specialists and whether they align with guidelines in "Information Power". Reviewed job descriptions via a listserv; compiled a list of performance responsibilities to develop a model job description; and concluded that a leadership role needs to be…

This series of articles discusses the use of adult and student volunteers in school libraries, focusing on volunteer recruitment; planning, implementation, and evaluation of volunteer programs; training methods and materials; and appropriate rewards for volunteers. (CLB)