In 1993, the Colorado State Library published "The Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement." This follow-up study focuses attention on the library media specialist and the services she or he provides throughout the building, rather than just the library media center as a specific place, and emphasizes the fact that…

Discusses the role of school library media specialists as instructional consultants and the gap between theory and practice in the roles of curriculum support and instructional design. A study of school media specialists in DeKalb County (Georgia) Public Schools is described that investigated the theory-practice gap. (23 references) (LRW)

Reports the results of a survey which examined the status of library media centers in public schools given exemplary status by the U.S. Department of Education and makes recommendations in the areas of staffing, the role of the library, and funding which would have a significant impact on elementary education. (CLB)

Describes a study that investigated the competencies or skills in six major professional areas that library media specialists should have as perceived by Arizona library media specialists and school principals. Areas highlighted include professional matters, library materials, management, human behavior, planning and evaluation, and learning.…

Since the future role played by the school library media center is important to library planners, a Delphi survey questioned school librarians, leaders in the profession, and faculty members in schools with media. Four factors were seen to affect the future of the media center: (1) trends within the next 25 years, (2) innovations needing to be…

This first part of a study focusing on the consultation and teaching roles of elementary school library media specialists examines relationships between the methods of scheduling students into the library media center and the curriculum consultation activity and information skills instruction performed by library media specialists. (five…

This third and final part of a study focusing on the consultation and teaching roles of elementary school library media specialists examines relationships among scheduling methods, consultation activity, information skills instruction, and the planning process, culminating in a model for collaboration between media specialists and classroom…

Describes a study that attempted to determine the effects of fixed versus flexible scheduling on the curriculum involvement of elementary school library media specialists and on the curricular integration of library skills. Teachers' planning styles are discussed, and recommendations for further studies are suggested. (10 references) (LRW)

The many changes in the world's social structure require corresponding changes in education. One across-the-system change that needs to be given emphasis is the development of school libraries. The current state of the world's school libraries is generally unsatisfactory. This view is based on the results of an international comparative study of…

Reports on a study that provides evidence of the positive impact of library media centers on academic achievement in 221 Colorado public schools during the 1988-89 school year. The importance of library media expenditures in making staff and collections available and the library media specialist's instructional role are verified. (two references)…

The 1990-91 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), provided estimates of library/media center resources and helps to put into perspective the question of the role of libraries/media centers in school reform. Education reform has prompted increased attention to the role school…

The first part of a two-part review of research related to school library media collections summarizes studies with implications for budgets and collection size, the selection process, collection policies, and the librarian as censor. A table compares data on holdings and expenditures for schools providing high-level library service with national…

This study is an assessment of the impact of Alaska school librarians on academic achievement in the state's public schools. It examines the direct relationship between such staffing and student performance and identifies selected activities of library media staff that affect test scores. Other conditions of library media center operation were…

Discusses results of a survey of state-level school library officials conducted via fax to determine statewide school enrollments, funding, media center staffing, state-mandated minimum levels of staffing for school libraries, the ratio of students per school library media specialists, staffing standards, staff shortages, and technology and…

This second part of a study focusing on the consultation and teaching roles of elementary school library media specialists examines three conditions beyond the control of the specialist that affect consultation activity and information skills instruction: teacher planning time, full- or part-time status of the library media position, and state…