In many locales--in many states--early conceptions of the school librarian's job have not evolved over the years even as the duties have expanded exponentially. The fact that in some districts outdated evaluation tools, such as Georgia's 1990 system, are still used to rate 21st-century school librarians is an obvious sign of the misconceptions…

School librarians need to be proactive in identifying new ways to help students prepare for the world of the future. Students need relevant educational experiences that support emerging demands created by information and service based economies. The economies of Pacific Rim countries such as the USA, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada are…

Media centers have been transformed from warehouses for books and equipment into the hub of the learning community. Media specialists keep the hub functioning properly. If school library media specialists are doing their job well, they are making a difference in the ways teachers teach and in the ways students learn. On any given day, a media…

Discusses results of a survey developed to determine if school library media specialists perceive that they have been able to implement their roles as described in "Information Power" (1988 and 1998). Also investigates whether they perceive it is important to assume a leadership role in the use of instructional technology. (Author/LRW)

"As good as we are, we can always get better." At first thought, one might dismiss it as the chant of an overly optimistic cheerleader. As one really begins to think about it, though, this seemingly simplistic message is one everyone should strive for daily. But how does one get better? It does not simply happen by sitting isolated in the school…

This digest discusses the role of the library media specialist. The first section notes the lessons and legacy of "Information Power," the American Library Association's standards for school library media specialists. Technology and opportunity for library media specialists are discussed in the second section, and the third section…

Teacher-librarians are awash in data. Studies on the impact of school library programs on student achievement have now been replicated in 12 states (more are in the works) with amazingly consistent results, these are added to studies dating from the early 1960s that support the importance of school library programs to student achievement and the…

A librarian at Southern Oregon University who became the campus Webmaster examines whether this new role was outside his job description, or a redefinition/expansion of an existing position. Discussion includes colleagues' differing reactions; how he became the campus Webmaster; what the library gains and loses; and perspective on the future of…

Describes library media specialists' efforts to implement technology in schools in Alaska, Minnesota and Florida. Discusses obstacles and challenges to implementation in other schools, including budget cuts; time pressures and responsibility overload; and friction between technology coordinators and instructional specialists, and teachers and…

Addresses three issues raised by Ann Irving in her article in this yearbook: the unique contributions of a librarian to the processes of teaching and learning; the deskilling of the librarian; and the future of the school library media professional. Information literacy and the influence of information technologies are also discussed. (LRW)

Discusses four areas in school library media programs that media specialists are expected to develop. Topics include promoting information literacy among students; knowing how to evaluate and use various information technologies; consulting with teachers to strengthen student learning and outcomes; and serving on school-based management…

Predicts the effects of information technology (IT) on libraries of the future. Discusses negative implications for school libraries. Describes four emerging roles for media specialists: (1) showing students and staff how to navigate information networks; (2) teaching users how to evaluate and select information; (3) designing information systems;…

Response to issues discussed in Ann Irving's article in this yearbook focuses on the changing role of school librarians. Highlights include the impact of information technology on library services; the development of school libraries in the United Kingdom versus the United States; instruction in information skills; and equal access to information.…

Discusses the role of the media specialist as a consultant in the area of instructional design and the importance of understanding and support from school principals to effectively carry out this role. The implications for flexible media center scheduling, team teaching approaches, library personnel selection, and the use of information…

Library Media Center 2000 (LMC2000) focuses on school library media services, technology, training, and advocacy--restructuring information and meeting linguistic, cultural, and multimedia learning needs. Over the last three years, San Francisco, California library media specialists have engaged in a process of professional development, networking…