Between recent threats by a Florida pastor to burn the Quran, the nation's ongoing presence in Afghanistan, and protests at the planned site for Park 51, an Islamic community center and mosque set to be built two blocks from the World Trade Center site, the topic of Islam is a tricky one, especially in K-12 schools, say many educators. For…

When Jim Chadwell, the former principal of Northwest High School in Texas, renovated his media center four years ago, he had two things in mind: Starbucks and Barnes & Noble. According to Media Specialist Naomi Bates, Chadwell wanted a place where students could read, do research, and work on classroom assignments, but also socialize. That is…

This year's "School Library Journal's" spending survey showed that, despite the recession, the vast majority of media centers around the country have retained their credentialed media specialists. For example, almost 85% of elementary schools and more than 95% of middle and high schools have a full-time certified librarian. In addition, salaries…

Reactions of school library/media personnel and administrators to "Media Programs: District and School." (PF)

An ideal school library and its librarian are described. (PF)

The successful media center programs of seven schools in the northeastern United States are described. (PF)

A discussion of the comic book as the oldest art form, as a teaching tool, and as a part of school library collections. (PF)

Presents the views of six librarians on the new version of "Information Power" (IP 2) by AASL (American Association of School Librarians) and AECT (Association for Educational Communications and Technology). The new version includes guidelines for school library media programs and introduces national student standards for information…

The need for school librarians to become familiar with standards for cataloging nonprint materials is stressed. Cooperative efforts and resource sharing of materials among libraries can be enhanced by similarity of approach to the cataloging and processing of materials. Representative publications for cataloging materials and organizations…

Examples of activities that take place in the district's elementary schools are cited as well as a commentary by various staff members on how the media programs are integrated with the schools' total instructional programs. A brief history of the school district's media programs is also discussed. (JPF)

Comments that library media specialists have not been adequately utilized in schools, especially at the elementary level. Reasons why the library should be an integral part of the instructional program are discussed, and several ways in which the librarian, as a generalist, can aid students in academic achievement are listed. (MES)

This guide is divided into two sections; a Product Directory listing product groups subdivided into individual products with the names of the firms that supply them, and the Suppliers Directory, which lists each firm, the full address and all branches, telephone number(s), and products and services available. (Author/JL)

Presents an eight-component weekly report form which media specialists may use for reporting library media center activities to the school administration. (CMV)

The origins, objectives, and causes of the back to basics movement and its potential impact on school media programs are discussed. Four areas of opposition to school media programs by advocates of the movement are described with the future strategies they may employ to further their cause. (JPF)

Discusses the need for more adequate materials and personnel in school libraries and describes provisions of the proposed Elementary and Secondary School Library Media Act. Sidebars include views of the bill by the American Library Association (ALA) and instructions on writing to senators and representatives to encourage support for the bill. (LRW)