The Bitmoji classroom craze swept education during online teaching and learning in 2020-21. Was that just a fad for pandemic times, or do they retain value in post-pandemic K-12 education? In a recent survey of 72 educators that included 45 school librarians, 71%, mostly at the elementary level, reported that they still use them. The purposes…

For school librarians, technology is an essential component of their work. To meet the growing need in this area, Odin Jurkowski first wrote Technology and the School Library in 2006. To address the technological advancements, Jurkowski provides an overview of the types of technologies used in school libraries, from traditional low-tech options to…

Media specialists today are required to use more and more technology. Their responsibilities encompass everything from repairing overhead projectors to administrating an entire library's automated system. These responsibilities are in addition to working with students on research and information literacy, making book selections, and collaborating…

Library media specialists need tools to help them manage the school library media program. The Internet includes a vast array of tools that a library media specialist might find useful. The websites and electronic resources included in this article are only a representative sample and future columns may explore additional tools. All the tools are…

As research libraries have grown, a trend has developed to recruit specialists to support the administrative and technical functions of the library. Business, planning, automation, personnel, and facilities specialists are among those currently employed. Libraries which utilize such specialists experience significant gains in flexibility to…

Describes how technology changes the nature of the school media specialist's job, and discusses staff and equipment sources of techno-stress. Notes the importance of anticipating problem areas and planning to deal with them in advance. Presents strategies for minimizing the amount of frustration/stress associated with technology. (AEF)

This article presents the findings of the 2006 School Library Journal-San Jose State University Automation Survey. The study takes a close look at the systems that media specialists are using, how they are using them, and what librarians want from their future automation programs. The findings reveal that while respondents were satisfied with…

Describes a study of high school library media specialists that was conducted to determine whether media specialists with automated circulation systems spent time differently than those without automated systems and in what areas the differences occurred. The differences found are discussed, and future research is suggested. (LRW)

Discusses technostress--i.e., stress brought on by changes in technology--in libraries and media centers. Case studies are presented that show stress in community college libraries caused by the rapid implementation of new technologies; coping strategies for librarians and media specialists are discussed; and strategies for managers are suggested.…

Whether you are a new school library media specialist just starting in the profession, or a more experienced librarian who may not have the time to research and gather the information you need, this comprehensive guide provides an excellent overview of numerous topics related to school libraries. Written in easy-to-understand language, this…

Based on a content analysis of professional journals, conference proceedings, ERIC documents, annuals, and dissertations in library and information science, the following current trends in the field are discussed: (1) there are important emerging roles and responsibilities for information professionals; (2) the status and image of librarians…

School library media specialists can revitalize programs and restore their worth to teachers, administrators, parents, and students by valuing books and reading, learning and teaching strategies to access print and electronic information, automating circulation systems and switching to integrated online catalogs, and communicating the contribution…

Describes a study that was conducted to determine the proportions of time high school library media specialists with and without automated circulation systems spent in various work activity categories. Use of the work sampling technique to calculate percentages of time is explained, and results are discussed in relation to "Information…

Discusses the results of a survey of school librarians in North Carolina conducted to determine the extent of CD-ROM and videodisk use and how they are changing the teaching of library, information, and research skills. CD-ROM and videodisk titles are listed, and recommendations for further study are suggested. The questionnaire is appended.…

This publication is a strategy plan to help teacher librarians avoid possible difficulties and promote positive decisions. The document is in the form of a hands-on checklist that includes reading suggestions, buying lists, product descriptions and contact information, and helpful hints. The six chapters are: (1) "Stepping In," including…