Reading4Life @ your library[R] (R4L) significantly extends the role of school librarians in the areas of classroom-library collaboration, reading instruction during the inquiry process, and evidence-based practice. With this position paper, AASL clearly places a greater value than it has in the past on the instructional partnership role of the…

This is Part 2 of a three-part summary of selected articles from the journals of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) over a period of thirty-five years from 1972 to 2007. This three-part series in the April, May, and June (2009) issues of "School Library Media Activities Monthly" ("SLMAM") will illustrate the evolution in…

A brand is an idea in the minds of one's constituents that is created by what one says or does. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) describes itself as a professional membership organization, serving the needs of 10,000 school library media specialists in the United States, Canada, and around the world. In this article, the author…

"When you start your new job as a school librarian, one of the first steps you must take is to ask to see the district's book selection policy. If there isn't one, write one. Right away. It protects you, the teachers, and the district." That advice was part of the author's school library administration course at the School of Library and…

Collaboration by several school and library associations has resulted in a decision to adopt new job titles, job descriptions, and facility names. Reasons for this change are discussed and some insight into the process is provided by commentary from interviews. (JKP)

Discusses new guidelines for the library media profession developed by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Highlights include the standards and behavior indicators at the core of the guidelines; Web page accessibility; and benefits for library media…

Considers whether the role of the school library media specialist is that of teacher or administrator and discusses how media specialists can be proactive leaders. Topics include collaborating with teachers, serving on committees, communicating with the principal, attending professional conferences, volunteering in professional organizations, and…

Describes the censure of the Racine Unified School District by the Wisconsin Library Association for its internal censorship of library materials. Highlights include a chronology of events in the case, the district's history of censorship, its selection policy, and the importance of the case as a model. (EM)

Eight position statements from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), published from 1990 to 1993, are presented. "Position Statement on the Value of Library Media Programs in Education" (March 1993) affirms the importance of school library media specialists as part of the total educational team. "Sample Statement on…

This report of proceedings contains 28 papers that were presented at an international conference on school librarianship. The papers are: (1) "Multi-Ethnic Materials for Children and Young Adults in a Changing World" (Spencer G. Shaw); (2) "Eating Computers" (Dean Marney); (3) "Literature, Reading and the School Library…