School library media specialists recommend quality Web sites to children based on evaluations and Web awards. This article examines three types of Web awards and who grants them, suggests ways to determine their reliability, and discusses specific award sites. Includes a bibliography of Web sites. (PEN)

An understanding of the following issues will help media professionals to analyze and guide planning for technology in libraries: (1) technological vision; (2) systems thinking; (3) job analysis; (4) budget; and (5) statistics. (Author/AEF)

Describes how technology changes the nature of the school media specialist's job, and discusses staff and equipment sources of techno-stress. Notes the importance of anticipating problem areas and planning to deal with them in advance. Presents strategies for minimizing the amount of frustration/stress associated with technology. (AEF)

Two teachers and seven media specialists from five school districts in Muskingum County (Ohio) had three weeks to write a proposal for a library automation grant. Before writing, they met to assess needs, determine how to find information on hardware and software, and establish long-term goals. As a result, they received the grant. (Author/AEF)

Explains the work of a moderator of LM-NET, an Internet discussion group, or listserv, for school library media specialists. Topics include organization; operations, including day-to-day functioning; development, including planning for the future; and dealing with "bounces," or returned e-mail messages. (LRW)

Describes the ideal environment in school libraries for retaining professionals who combine the best tasks and skills from library science and technology. Institutions should have: a desire for change; ample support staff; staff development opportunities; high priority on people skills; and high expectations of staff and leaders. (AEF)

With teaching, shelving books, and ordering and processing materials, one media specialist found it increasingly hard to meet the hardware and software needs of staff and students. Describes how she implemented a program for employing students in grades 4-6 to provide simple maintenance for educational technology. Discusses task determination,…

Presents a checklist for school librarians to use in evaluating World Wide Web pages. Highlights include content; authority; ease of navigation; the "experience"; use of graphics, sound, and video; treatment, including stereotyping and age appropriateness; speed and types of access; and costs and search engines. (LRW)

Examines benefits of multimedia presentation software for teachers, librarians, and elementary and secondary school students. Discusses an example of two school library media specialists working with an English class using the library's reference collection (print and CD-ROM) and HyperCard. Suggests presentation assignments for various subjects.…

To help ninth-grade students become critical users of the Internet, an English teacher and a library media specialist developed an open-ended debate assignment to be assessed with a rubric. This article describes the implementation of the project and includes the assessment rubric, evaluating performance, logical arguments, support statements,…

Discusses middle school students' hypermedia projects using IBM's "Linkway" that are developed with students, teachers, and the library media specialist. Assessment in the areas of presentation, cooperative learning skills, computer skills, and knowledge is described, and the development of scoring rubrics is explained. (LRW)

The SLAPPS model is a student-centered framework for planning, creating, and presenting multimedia presentations that allows teachers and media specialists to collaborate on content, research strategies, presentation skills, and student evaluation. This article describes the steps in the model: select topic, locate resources, analyze resources,…

Presents guidelines for media specialists to help faculty and students in designing and producing multimedia presentation programs. Notes the importance of simplicity coupled with creativity. Discusses design principles for color, text, graphics, and special effects. (AEF)