Political advocacy continues to gain ground in the state of Washington after the landmark Washington state legislative support of emergency funding ($4.09 million) for library media centers during the 2008 legislative session. This stepped-up political advocacy is due to the efforts of the Washington Library Media Association Advocacy members…

This article is the second part of a two-part article on a learning project developed through the Independent Learning Centre (ILC) program at Concordia Lutheran College. The first part of this article can be found in the January 2009 issue of this journal and discusses how the applications of the "AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner"…

Mentoring is defined as a professional relationship between an experienced person and inexperienced person. When newly hired library media specialists enter their schools, they often become part of the district's mentoring program. Yet, mentoring these new professionals can be problematic for school districts. In addition, when a library media…

Universities offering school library media programs seek accreditation from various regional and national organizations. This accreditation makes the programs valid and marketable. School media programs within a college of education seek accreditation from specialized accrediting bodies. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education…

The primary role of any library is to provide resources and services for its patrons, and school library media centers are no exception. Most of the time, library media specialists think of patrons only in terms of students and faculty. However, there are a variety of ways library media specialists can expand influence and increase support from…

Presents a historical background of the publication of "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs." Highlights include the histories of the American Library Association (ALA), the National Education Association (NEA), and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT); and a review of…

Discussion of the integration of information skills from a junior high school library media program into the curriculum focuses on the use of the Big Six Skills, a model that incorporates six steps for solving information problems. Its suitability for organizing information skills and curricular areas is explained. (four references) (LRW)

Continues a discussion of standards related to school library media specialists and their professional lives. Highlights include National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education; American Library Association; National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; International Society for Technology in Education; Council for Basic Education;…

Provides a list of Patricia Polacco's books that feature her signature artwork. Includes ideas for activities to extend the books into the classroom or library media center. Also lists related information sources about Polacco's life and work including Web sites. (LRW)

Describes how to explain the organization of a library to elementary school students by making an analogy of a library being like a state: each state is made up of towns and neighborhoods as libraries are made up of areas for fiction and nonfiction. Includes a worksheet. (LRW)

Discusses childrens' interest in messages and messengers; describes the role and impact of messages in a variety of books; and presents ideas for activities for elementary and secondary school students that suggest imaginative ways of using words, symbols, and language to offer children the chance to become messengers and communicators. (36…

Reviews resources that address change theory, particularly as it applies to school library media specialists. Discusses educational change models; participating in planned change; change agents; failures of change initiatives; and the need for change in education. (LRW)

Describes empirical research in the fields of neurology and cognitive science that is being conducted to determine how and why the brain learns. Explains ways that video is compatible with how the brain learns and suggests it should be used more extensively by teachers and library media specialists. (LRW)

Discusses the use of digital cameras in school library media centers and offers suggestions for teachers and students in elementary schools. Describes appropriate image-editing software; explains how to create panoramas, screen savers, and coloring books; and includes useful tips for digital photographers. (LRW)

This article discusses BDA strategies--reading strategies that "good readers" use before, during, and after reading. These strategies are in conjunction with free reading as well as direct reading instruction by reading specialists and/or teachers. An explanation of "Before Reading Strategies," "During Reading Strategies," and "After Reading…