Due to a recent American Association of School Librarians (AASL) survey that indicated confusion, misperceptions, and inconsistencies about various job titles in the school librarian profession, the organization's leadership chose to officially adopt for the profession the title school librarian. They did this after carefully reviewing the data…

In this article, the author poses the question: What is the importance and impact of this research on the environment we develop in our libraries? To her, they are inextricably intertwined. The author argues that the library is the information centre of the school, and its staff are the information specialists. It is them, through the programs and…

Johnson Doug, a representative of the state library association decided to speak to the board members of the Left Overshoe Independent Schools when they threatened to implement a budgetary cut for the library school program. The local parents and teachers should testify to the board the advantages of a library program and raise voice against…

Flexible scheduling of school library media is accepted notion in major library school associations and the classes meet in the library media center based on instructional and curricular need instead of fixed scheduling of school library in which classes have specified library times each week. The controversy regarding fixed and flexible school…

The strategies to be followed by a Library Media Specialist when his or her position is reduced due to budget reductions or reorganizations in the school district are discussed. The strategies include, learning the timeline for district budget adjustment project, distribution and discussion of library advocacy information with building…

Stresses the importance of management skills and budgeting expertise for school library media specialists, and discusses the budgeting process as it relates to identifying needs, sharing responsibility in securing funds, and justifying budget requests. A list of references is included. (FM)

Discusses role of teacher-librarian in process of "resource-based learning"--programs which involve students in use of wide range of print, nonprint, and human resources. Administration of the school library, selection and purchase of materials, and the working relationship between teacher-librarian and classroom teacher are highlighted. Two…

"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…

This article presents an interview with Cassandra Barnett, a school library media specialist at Fayetteville (Arkansas) High School. She is also a member of the AASL Learning Standards Rewrite Task Force, which has been working on developing AASL's new National Learning Standards. Fayetteville schools experienced multiple challenges during…

Most countries have school legislation, and many have library legislation; however, in very few is school library legislation found. It is noteworthy that school libraries are the weakest in many library systems. There is a strong case to be made for a legal requirement that library services be established in all recognized schools and vocational…

Eleven articles discussing school library management highlight: (1) use of student assistants; (2) time management; (3) human resource management; (4) administrator-librarian cooperation; (5) an educational platform for librarians; (6) accepting a new assignment; (7) dividing tasks between two librarians; (8) automating circulation; (9) moving a…

A library media specialist should be involved in understanding the curriculum and the content area standards in the school, school district and the state, which would help the library media specialists to assist in planning, collaboratively teaching and co-evaluating with the classroom teachers. The library media program can become an integral…

Designing curricula around the standards, with clearly delineated strategies, expectations, and evaluative procedures, is thought to assure that growth in student achievement may be tracked. While this process can sometimes be nebulous, one thing is certain: clearly understanding what is involved in reaching a degree of excellence and determining…

Argues that leadership and managerial skills should be developed in all librarians including children's librarians. The problems of developing managerial skills as a training function of the library organization are addressed and suggestions for an administrator planning such training are given. (EM)

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…