Describes the National Library Power Program, a collaborative effort sponsored by the Dewitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund in cooperation with local education funds and public school districts that was designed to create public elementary and middle school library programs that are central to the education program of the school. (LRW)

Discusses reasons for including sports books in school library reference collections, explains why they should not be found only in public library collections, and provides six annotated bibliographies of sports books suitable for intermediate or middle school library collections. (LRW)

Attention to school libraries must be at the heart of any comprehensive plan for improving youth literacy. Excellent school libraries are essential if young people are to have access to the reading resources to help them gain the level of literacy achievement vital to meeting the challenge of the twenty-first century. Sections of the booklet…

The mean and median age of science and technology materials in the five middle school library collections located in the Springfield (Ohio) City School District were calculated. The percentage of books 10 years old or older was calculated. Science and technology were chosen due to the rapid amount of change in these areas. Three broad Dewey…

Reports on an evaluation of Library Power, a national project to improve school library media services in elementary and middle school media centers. Major findings are reported related to impact on student learning, facilities and collection development, professional development and collaboration, and administrative support. (MES)

Describes a public library service that offers booktalks to middle school students in their classrooms and includes two sample booktalks. Discusses building good relationships with teachers and library media specialists; circulation statistics; ordering enough copies of books for the school and the public library; scheduling booktalks; teen…

Defines graphic novels as meatier and longer comic books and discusses their appeal for teens. Lists online and print sources of reviews; explains how to build a collection; and includes an annotated bibliography of 30 titles suitable for a middle school or high school library's core collection or for a public library's teen collection. (LRW)

Provides information for school libraries interested in acquiring graphic novels. Discusses theft prevention; processing and cataloging; maintaining the collection; what to choose, with two Web sites for more information on graphic novels for libraries; collection development decisions; and Japanese comics called Manga. Includes an annotated list…

Provides annotated bibliographies of five sources about women and their contributions to civilization that are suitable for upper elementary and middle schools and add depth to coverage provided in traditional reference sources. (LRW)

Discusses the role of school libraries in literacy and independent reading habits for adolescents. Highlights include the sad state of school libraries in Indiana, how much to spend on books for middle grades school libraries, the time frame for rebuilding school library collections, and the Reading Bill of Rights. Sample inventory procedures and…

Describes a study of the use of a computerized circulation system in a middle school media center which gathered quantitative data about collection composition and age, and measured materials use. Ways in which circulation analysis can fit among other collection analysis and development methods are discussed, and unique considerations for school…

A study examined the status of reading in Indiana's public schools. Questionnaires were returned by 460 of the state's 615 public middle, junior, and senior high schools. Results indicated that: (1) new book acquisitions in Indiana's school library media center book collections were only about one-fourth of the recommended number needed to keep…

Data from a computerized circulation system were used to analyze usage patterns of a middle school library (grades 6-8) and to suggest ways the available data may be interpreted and used to decide upon future collection management and acquisition policies. Tables show composition and use of the various ranges in the collection. (14 references)…

Describes the transformation of the school library in Lindbergh Middle School, North Long Breach CA that serves a predominantly lower income, multicultural area whose students are struggling readers. Highlights include painting, new furniture, and other physical changes; collection development and circulation increases; hours of operation;…

Provides elementary and middle school library media specialists with criteria for evaluating poetry collections, including balancing contemporary and traditional poetry and responding to children's preferences; discusses ways to promote poetry with both students and teachers; and includes a selected bibliography of 60 recommended poetry books.…