The digital humanities (DH) are attracting considerable attention and funding at the same time that this nascent field is striving for an identity. Some research libraries are making significant investments by creating digital humanities centers. However, questions about whether such investments are warranted persist across the cultural heritage…

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…

Summarizes findings from a study that investigated the impact of school library media centers on academic achievement. Findings in the following areas are presented: size of the resource center staff and collection; qualifications of staff; duties of the teacher-librarian, including the instructional role; collaboration with classroom teachers;…

Briefly discusses the problems and concerns that face school librarians in foreign countries. Examples from various countries are presented to illustrate a few of the difficulties and the creative efforts of librarians and administrators to overcome these difficulties. (CLB)

Describes how guidelines for school library media programs have developed through the years and discusses what is required to implement the 1988 guidelines in "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs." Highlights include the role of the school library media specialist, leadership and planning, and personnel. (LRW)

Overview of the new guidelines for school library media programs developed cooperatively by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology reviews issues such as information studies curriculum, planning, media specialist roles, personnel, and information resources. (MES)

Discusses the need for ongoing evaluation within high school libraries to ensure adequate library services, which, in turn, enhance the total educational program. The evaluation of library facilities, collections, and staff is discussed, and an annotated bibliography of evaluation tools is provided. (6 references) (CLB)

Compares the role of a school library in an ideal situation and the situation in Kenya. The lack of school policies, lack of recognition, insufficient funding, and lack of qualified personnel are cited as factors responsible for the poor performance of school libraries in Kenya. (CLB)

A secondary school librarian uses her experience to compare Canadian and Australian secondary school libraries in terms of educational philosophy, library role, staffing, budgets, resources, and library organization. (CLB)

Describes the Knapp School Libraries Project that was developed in the 1960s to create model libraries in elementary and secondary schools by upgrading their materials and qualified personnel. Visits from librarians, educators, students, and community members that helped disseminate the model libraries' characteristics are discussed. (Contains 14…

The first of five chapters in this master's thesis examines the current status of media facilities and historical factors that have contributed to their development. An analysis of the design of media facilities following the principle of "form follows function" begins in the second chapter, which expounds a theoretical model of the…

Discusses the impact of block scheduling on secondary school library media centers. Topics include the need for more resources to support larger class groups, library networking to meet information needs, planning with teachers, impact on library staff, impact on teachers and students, and the need for flexibility. (LRW)

Reports the results of three statewide studies in Alaska, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, which show that a school library media program with a full-time library media specialist, support staff, and a strong computer network leads to higher student achievement as evidenced on standardized achievement tests. (LRW)

This handbook is designed to help Iowa library media specialists, teachers, and administrators develop quality library media programs. The first section summarizes the roles and responsibilities of the library media program. This is followed by a section that addresses personnel issues, including guidelines for professional and support staff; the…

Focuses on role of school library media programs in the fostering of lifelong learning and development of information skills. Highlights include information use and users, access, instruction, consulting, attitude problems, personnel and economic issues, planning and evaluating programs, education of library media specialists, and information…