The purpose of this study was to examine K-12 School librarians' perceptions of specific patron resources as those perceptions relate to student patrons for whom English is not the first language spoken, those exposed to trauma, and those with different sexual orientations in Alabama's public schools. A quantitative phase using a 5-point Likert…

School librarians and other specialists should take note of the new wave of computer-based assessments required by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), testing that is only now beginning to get off the ground. The new testing necessitates that districts possess the right hardware, install the requisite software, and, in some cases, create…

Enlightened administrators realize that school librarians still play a pivotal role for students, guiding them through search processes and helping them find appropriate, reliable, vetted resources in print and digital format for research and other classroom projects. This article describes how important the role of information navigator is…

Assuming the responsibility of ensuring that hundreds or thousands of students obtain the instruction and knowledge that they will need to be successful in life is a serious undertaking. Courageous school principals who accept this challenge are held responsible for providing the organization and leadership that provides the foundation for an…

As concern over teenagers' reading and writing skills mounts, an Alabama high school shows how to teach literacy in every subject. When Buckhorn joined the reading initiative, its teachers and top administrators attended the state's two-week summer workshop, and were inspired by its vision of literacy instruction across the content areas. But they…

Collaboration is one of the most important aspects of the role of the school librarian in the twenty-first century, but, for many reasons, collaboration is challenging to implement. Some classroom teachers may not know how students benefit from the classroom-school library collaboration. Others may be unwilling to relinquish control of their…

Findings and recommendations compose the two sections of this summary of A Study of the Organization and Governance of Alabama Library Systems. The findings indicate the need for a central coordinating state library agency with multi-type library concerns that could strengthen the role of other state agencies concerned with library development. In…

Describes eight multilibrary automation and connectivity initiatives in Alabama that involve public libraries, regional library systems, county library systems, library networks, academic libraries, and public school libraries. Addresses and contact people are supplied for each organization. (LRW)

Summarizes activities of state organizations and associations responsible for school library media programs from Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Connecticut, Kansas, Rhode Island, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Michigan, and New Jersey. (LRW)

This publication was developed by Alabama school library media professionals to help principals understand good school library media practices. The principal can publicize the school library as a center for student and family learning. He or she can actively promote the importance of information literacy as a basis for authentic, life-long…

Reports results of a survey that examined the role of school library media specialists in Alabama public schools in promoting reading growth, assisting classroom teachers, and teaching reading skills. Comparisons of ideal and actual responsibilities are made, and academic preparation of media specialists in the area of reading is discussed. (LRW)

Describes a project at the Harrand Creek Elementary School (Enterprise, Alabama) that used a library automation program to improve curriculum access to the easy reading collection in the school library media center. Curriculum surveys are described, and the selection of appropriate subject headings for a computerized catalog is discussed. (15…

Reviews state agency activities involved in advising and assisting school library media centers in Georgia, Virginia, Indiana, Alabama, Ohio, and Utah. (LRW)

Discussion of standards for school library media programs focuses on standards developed for Alabama's school systems. A study that was conducted to determine the level of implementation of the criteria for library media programs is described, hypotheses tested are explained, and the questionnaire used in the study is included. (nine references)…

A study examined the role of elementary and secondary school librarians/media specialists in Alabama in promoting reading growth, assisting classroom teachers, and teaching reading skills. Surveys were sent to all public school librarians in Alabama, and to their administrators. Results, based on 250 randomly selected surveys from librarians and…