This anthology of opinions about the roles and functions of public and school libraries covers the following topics: (1) The School-Housed Public Library--An Evaluation; (2) School and Public Library Relationships; (3) The Case for Independent School Libraries; (4) Report on Killarney Branch Library (Vancouver); (5) Report on the Flint Public…

Recommends ways to alleviate the psychological, political, funding, communication, and planning problems which have blocked the full participation of schools in interlibrary networks. The roles of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and NCLIS's Task Force on the role of the school library media programs in networking are…

The role of the state library agency in Nebraska is changing as regions and networks develop and assume the daily needs of individuals and small libraries. The supplementary needs of school and college libraries can be channeled and absorbed or referred. The development of regional libraries has progressed according to funds and schedule. Long…

Discussion of role of school library media centers (SLMCs) in multitype library networks notes five basic factors that contribute to their exclusion from library networks: psychological, political and legal, funding, communication, and planning. Examples of programs attempting to reduce barriers to school participation in library networks are…

Presents the full text of the Task Force report on networking, adopted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science to delineate the position of the school library media program within the total framework of national networking. The role of the school library media program is clarified. (Author/CMV)

Describes the needs assessment, planning, implementation, and outcomes of a staff development program for the Nassau (New York) School Library System, which included three components: (1) area clusters for support and shared expertise; (2) training of cluster leaders; and (3) four full-day staff development sessions. (12 references) (MES)

Rural communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been having problems accessing much needed information, while traditional bodies of knowledge are slowly disappearing as the old generation passes on. This paper argues that the school library is a possible agent to spread information. In addition to providing information to school children and…

Explores the role of library media specialists in school curricula enrichment and the possibilities for utilizing both print and nonprint media to this end. Examples of media support for social studies, science, mathematics, and the arts are presented. The importance of networking and support systems to the success of media centers is discussed.…

The use of microforms in academic environments has become a general source of concern to all those involved with it. To some extent, the issues underlying the concerns of these groups can be summarized as a question: How can an academic library achieve full benefit from microform media? To develop information and to probe the difficulties of…

Discussion of the need for an Australian national information policy focuses on the need to teach students information skills. Arguments for a policy are presented, including the higher life quality of an informed population and improved national productivity and competitiveness, and lobbying efforts to date are reviewed. (21 notes with…

Describes the historical background of the National Library of Sri Lanka; explains the National Library Services Board; outlines the functions of the National Library; discusses library standards for school and public libraries; describes library development projects at local levels; and considers the public library's role in the government's…

Canada has tried many combinations of school-housed public libraries, and in general, both school and public library authorities agree that the combination has not successfully met the requirements for service of the two distinct institutions, each with its differing roles and goals. This statement on the school-housed public library in Alberta is…

Three articles present responses to Summers' predictions of fundamental changes in libraries caused by the use of technology. The discussions cover the role of children's librarians in shaping future users and perceptions of libraries, the positive effects of technology on services to children and young adults, and the need to base library…

Discusses the impact of block scheduling on secondary school library media centers. Topics include the need for more resources to support larger class groups, library networking to meet information needs, planning with teachers, impact on library staff, impact on teachers and students, and the need for flexibility. (LRW)

This handbook is designed to help Iowa library media specialists, teachers, and administrators develop quality library media programs. The first section summarizes the roles and responsibilities of the library media program. This is followed by a section that addresses personnel issues, including guidelines for professional and support staff; the…