Article provided a checklist as a tentative guideline for the difficult question of how to judge the instructional media center. (Author/RK)

The media field is an emerging and rapidly growing field and the tools for locating and evaluating non-print materials are in a somewhat amorphous developmental stage. This publication was compiled for the purpose of identifying a number of these tools and delineating their special features and values. Specifically the publication serves three…

Reports on three companies that offer "on approval" books to school libraries; i.e., companies send books to be reviewed, simplify paperwork, and offer low prices and free shipping. Sales procedures, company addresses, and telephone numbers of Garrett Book Company, National Library Service, and Ollis Book Corporation are noted. (EJS)

Presents questions for evaluating a media center's reference section, focused on types of resources; reference-material evaluation criteria and items that belong in or are misplaced in the reference section; relocating materials and ensuring use of newly classified materials; and how to collect data on usage of resources. (AEF)

Discusses library collection development by school library media specialists and describes selection sources for new books and materials; retrospective selection sources for materials published in preceding years; and an acquisition source. Provides an overview of the selection process and includes 10 suggestions for selection. (LRW)

This book discusses censorship as it affects schools and school library media centers. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 describes who and why some people and organizations object so strongly to some school materials, as well as those organizations that support intellectual freedom. Chapter 3 provides a historical perspective on censorship…

The new non-book media present a challenging problem to libraries already struggling to keep up with conventional media. The new media, their relationship to libraries, and attitudes of librarians towards the new media are reviewed. The case for library non-involvement and the case for active support of the new media are both examined, followed by…

Reviews selection guidelines suggested by the Catholic Library Association (CLA) for parish and school libraries. Highlights include who develops the selection policy; American Library Association selection guidelines for school libraries; criteria for both print and nonprint materials; how to handle censorship challenges; and issues concerning…

Focuses on evaluating the school library media collection. Discusses how to figure the age of the collection; comparing the collection to a professional selection source; and how to estimate the cost of upgrading the collection. Includes a sample letter to principal and supporting fact sheet. (AEF)

Discusses research on censorship attempts that occurred in schools and school libraries over the last decade, including studies that considered types of materials targeted, by whom, and with what results. The increase in school censorship and the problem of the often unclear use of the term censorship are discussed. (EM)

Discussion of school library media specialist's involvement in reconsideration of materials from library media collection focuses on what media specialist should bring to complaint situation (school board-approved materials selection policy, training and experience, knowledge of available resources in intellectual freedom) and reconsideration…

This book focuses on the selection of books in an elementary school and on the resources designed to help in that process. Resources that support other aspects of collection development are identified, along with a number of established surveys of children's literature that discuss specific titles. The following chapters are included: (1)…

Reviews recent media treatment of the issue of selection and censorship of print and nonprint materials for school-age children in Australia, and discusses the findings of a survey which investigated actual practices in schools and attitudes of teacher-librarians. (37 references) (LRW)

Lists 65 sources for identifying notable materials for children and young adults, including books, nonprint materials, special features, reference books and electronic sources, multicultural materials, free and inexpensive materials, and periodicals. (LRW)

Discussion of the responsibility of school library media specialists for collection development and management focuses on the need to include materials on women's studies. Highlights include justifying collection expenditures; collection development guidelines; identifying relevant materials by genre; and the media specialists' curricular role.…