The idea of "reading the room" borrowed from the business world applies to how school library professionals can identify and responsively meet the needs of users. By stepping up to do work even when it is not requested, and yet in alignment with our mission, we can help sustain our library programs.

Now more than ever school librarians need to be advocates. COVID brought to light so many things that are wrong with the education system around the country. According to the author, they learned that, although they talk about equity and access for their students, they are not even close to equity and access being a reality for all. As the…

In this article, two teachers describe their transition from pre-K-12 schools to higher education, where they teach college students to be school librarians. Both were at points in their pre-K-12 careers at which they were comfortable and felt good about their abilities, but both were ready for new challenges. While they no longer see the direct…

Current school librarian standards highlight the need for school librarians to be technology leaders in their schools, and current research supports the ability of the school librarian to be a strong technology leader. However, there is a lack of research on how preservice schools are preparing their students to become these leaders. The following…

Five initiatives launched during Cyndi Phillip's term as American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President (2006-2007) continue to have an impact on school librarians ten years later. They include the rewriting of AASL's learning standards, introduction of the SKILLS Act, the presentation of the Crystal Apple Award to Scholastic Library…

What are the core competences required by teacher-librarians for developing exemplary school library programs in 21st-century schools? This article reports on a study that explored the experiences and attitudes of graduates from the Teacher Librarianship by Distance Learning program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Key findings from this…

In 2003 at the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) 11th National Conference in Kansas City, the AASL Task Force on Recruitment for the Profession noted that 68 percent of school librarians will retire by the year 2015. They also reported extremely severe shortages of school librarians in ten states and severe shortages in 30 states…

This study explores Virginia elementary school principals' perceptions of the instructional role of the library media specialist and the origin of these perceptions. Principals who responded to the study strongly endorse the role of library media specialist as teacher of information literacy skills and as instructional partner. Respondents…

Eight librarians express their views on the state of the libraries' reference services with some suggestions for their improvement. (37 references) (NH)

Reviews 18 articles on Israeli libraries published between 1978 and 1995. Highlights concerns about the lack of a clear national role for the Jewish National and University Library, the slowness of libraries to adopt MARC standards, a weak national policy on public libraries, slow development of school libraries, and the limited professional…

Describes school library reform efforts in New York City's elementary public schools initiated by a private foundation to help improve education and fight poverty. Topics include funding; successful public and private collaboration; librarian training; and research to determine the role and influence of libraries. (LRW)

This is the second and final year report on the CLASP (Central Massachusetts Library Administration Simulation Project) which developed and tested a simulation model that would enable library personnel to learn and practice skills of negotiation, decision making, budgeting, and program planning. Specific program objectives were: (1) to upgrade the…

Responds to an earlier article regarding school librarians. Topics include professionalization through education and certification programs; the mission statement for library media programs; instruction and training roles; service versus instruction; and the value of information skills. (LRW)

This article examines ways in which the profession of teacher-librarianship can be strengthened and enhanced and offers numerous suggestions, including role clarification, strong commitment by teachers and teacher-librarians to cooperative program planning and teaching, a framework for flexible scheduling, and a school-based continuum of research…

This essay on means by which the profession of teacher-librarianship might be strengthened, and even enhanced, highlights the mission statement and resource center programs, role of the teacher-librarian, cooperative program planning and teaching, research and study skill development, education for school librarianship, and program advocacy. (EJS)