Assuming the responsibility of ensuring that hundreds or thousands of students obtain the instruction and knowledge that they will need to be successful in life is a serious undertaking. Courageous school principals who accept this challenge are held responsible for providing the organization and leadership that provides the foundation for an…

This article clearly defines the three crucial pre-implementation principles to maximize the success of Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) in large high schools. Establishing clear understanding for the need of the SLC initiative is the first of these principles. Long term commitment to a sustained plan for relevant SLC professional learning…

After two years of construction, American Samoa Community College opened its new library on September 2, 2003. The library is located on the east side of campus and is equipped with ten computer workstations, four online public access catalogs, three copying machines, and an elevator that is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.…

In 1997, Buckman Laboratories (based in Memphis, Tennessee) embarked on a plan to create a Learning Center for its distributed, global workforce using the corporate intranet. The Learning Center is now fully operational and tightly integrated with the knowledge management and sharing activities of the company. Discussion includes rapid prototyping…

Discusses the role of non-public school libraries, especially Catholic school libraries, in New York State's School Library System. The interlibrary loan networks which have been established are described, and benefits to participating libraries are discussed that include professional development as well as cooperative collection development. (LRW)

Discusses areas in which school libraries and staff will benefit from their inclusion in a statewide network of libraries. (CLB)

Presents design objectives to consider when planning library/media facilities for elementary schools which will also incorporate computer technology. Highlights include providing for future growth and the development of new technologies; collection development plans; professional growth and staff support; scheduling considerations; and…

Library media specialists in Hawaii, like many of their colleagues elsewhere in the nation, are exploring ways to design and implement a type of student-oriented assessment that focuses on student performance. To tackle the issue of assessment in Hawaii's school library media centers, twenty-four K-12 library media specialists are currently…

Offers tips for how school library media specialists attending conferences can make the most productive use of their time. Discusses three aspects of conferences: the professional aspects; the social aspects; and vendors' displays. (LRW)

This publication contains the 3-year plan of a three-county school library system located in central New York State. The system is funded by the state, and the contents of the plan are mandated by state regulation. The plan provides the following: (1) organizational information; (2) a membership list of the School Library System Council; (3)…

This bibliography lists basic periodical titles that should be included in school library collections for elementary schools in Oklahoma. The periodicals are grouped by library phase of development, from the phase 1 stage with the smallest collections, to the expanded phase 3 collection. Each entry contains an annotation describing the use of the…

A brief introductory discussion of some of the factors involved in career development includes the potential role of strategically placed people, job satisfaction, and the individual's responsibility for recognizing and making appropriate career choices. A 3-stage career development self-inventory is suggested as a means of raising the level of…

The Quality Assurance Program for Learning Resources Specialists is part of the Houston, Texas, Plan for Excellence and addresses the renewal and professional growth opportunities for the specialists. The program is administered by a bi- or tri-dimensional assessment team that may consist of the principal, an instructional supervisor, and the…

This guide presents a series of articles which give pointers, hints, and examples of day-to-day development activities school librarians can use to hone their professionalism. The first of five sections describes ways in which librarians can provide professional service and lists some markers of professionalism. The second section presents one…

School librarians have a vital role in improving the curriculum and assisting students to be happy, contented, and achieving individuals. Continuous progress of each librarian is a must through inservice education. Means of assisting librarians to attain well include: (1) a professional library with time set aside for reading and discussing ideas…