K.C. Boyd discusses how school librarians can advocate for school libraries and school library services. She details how to turn frustration into strategic advocacy efforts by highlighting the school librarian's role as an essential literacy partner in students' academic achievement.

The School Libraries in South Australia: 2024 Census offers a snapshot of the current state, challenges, and evolving roles of school libraries and their staffing in South Australia. Conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) at the behest of the School Library Association of South Australia (SLASA), this census builds…

Important happenings related to the concept of intellectual freedom (IF) coincide with the annual back-to-school ramp up. This article discusses how to use the summer hiatus to develop learning opportunities related to events such as Banned Books Week (BBW) and Banned Websites Awareness Day (BWAD). The author provides resource information to aid…

School librarians regularly face difficult intellectual freedom questions. Is it a good idea to put grade- or reading-level labels on the outside of books or use labels to determine what students should read? Do children have First Amendment rights? The ALA "Intellectual Freedom Manual" provides answers and guidance. The…

The article is divided into three sections. The main section, "Filtering beyond CIPA: Consequences of and Alternatives to Overfiltering in Schools" (Kristen Batch) describes factors that contribute to the overimplementation of CIPA. Internet filtering is a routine practice in public schools and libraries. The Children's Internet…

School librarians act as servants of the school community and protectors of students' rights, and it is the ethical duty of school librarians to champion student privacy and resist threats to it. This article addresses the legality of this process based upon the 2007 article "How Does the Family Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA] Affect You"…

Three years ago, when K-12 schools started thinking seriously about creating digital libraries, the Mesquite Independent School District (TX) bought several Sony eReaders, loaded them with books, and circulated them to students. This initial attempt was not a rousing success. After the Mesquite ISD pulled the plug on its disastrous e-reader…

Evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) provides school librarians a systematic means of building, assessing, and revising a library program, thus demonstrating a school library program's worth to the larger school community. Through survey research collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, 111 public school librarians in…

This manual is intended to help library staff maximize their work by providing information and references to many of the "frequently asked questions." There are two parts to the manual. The "Overview" is an introduction to school librarianship in Alaska that discusses putting school libraries in perspective; managing the school…

Eleven articles and reports published between 1980 and 1984 and cited in "Resources in Education" and "Current Index to Journals in Education" are listed in this bibliography on microcomputers in libraries. Emphasis is on microcomputers in public and school libraries and topics included are factors that should be considered…

This report describes a study tour of Saskatoon (Canada) school libraries undertaken by a library director and the deputy director of the board of education of Umea, Sweden (October 13-21, 2001). The purpose of the study tour was to: (1) develop an awareness of the scope of modern school library programming; (2) discuss with principals and…

This guide presents a series of articles which give pointers, hints, and examples of day-to-day development activities school librarians can use to hone their professionalism. The first of five sections describes ways in which librarians can provide professional service and lists some markers of professionalism. The second section presents one…

This book is a guide to running a school library media center for both new and experienced library media specialists. Chapter 1 offers survival strategies, including goal setting, time management, and stress management. Chapter 2 examines the major administrative aspects of running a school library, such as writing policies and procedures,…

This guide demonstrates strategic ways of developing and implementing successful library media programs and offers step- by-step strategies for achieving a balance between leadership and collaboration. The book is divided into two parts. Part I: "The Environment" addresses the components of the school environment--the students, curriculum and…

Reviews components of school library media standards and outlines funding sources for media programs. School library media specialists are challenged to work with the educational community to strengthen media programs and to establish visible, vital, and viable programs of excellence. Eleven references are noted. (EJS)