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…

These days it seems like school librarians are under attack, if not already an endangered species. After eight years of the No Child Left Behind Act--which, paradoxically, chipped away at many library positions--recent state and local budget shortfalls have led to rounds and rounds of layoffs for school librarians. While things are tough in the…

What is the relative importance of current and emerging technologies in school library media programs? In order to answer this question, in Fall 2007 the authors administered a survey to 1,053 school library media specialists (SLMSs) throughout the state of Pennsylvania. As a part of the MSLS degree with Library Science K-12 certification, Clarion…

The Position Statement on the School Library Media Specialist's Role in Reading, adopted by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Board in February 2009, is a guide to help practitioners build library programs that support every learner's development in reading. As part of the Learning4Life (L4L) plan to implement the Standards for…

New library media specialists (LMS) are special people, who are eager for the world of library science. Stepping into a job of LMS requires courage and tenacity, and most of the librarians state that the most difficult in the first year are time and relationship.

The evolution of educational technology has seen a shift from hardware and software to tactics and techniques, as the 2010 edition of the "Educational Media and Technology Yearbook" makes abundantly clear. As in previous years, it offers the reader a snapshot of the moment and a look ahead to issues most likely to shape the immediate…

In this article, the author shares her experience during her practicum for her master's in library science wherein she had the opportunity to work in a school library that was moving toward combining with a local branch of a public library. Combining the public and school libraries meant integrating these two related yet distinct missions, or at…

To the media specialist belongs that unique opportunity to be in the right place at the right time with the right materials and the right climate to attract all children - upon whom the future of our society depends. (Author)

Reviews doctoral dissertation research dealing specifically with school library media programs and resources. A comprehensive set of recommendations for future research is made and a 160-item reference list accompanies the text. (JL)

Discusses the "axemaker" school librarian, drawing the concept of innovators for survival and growth of the human species, from Burke and Ornstein's "The Axemaker's Gift: A Double-Edged History of Human Culture." Examines contributions of library science to society and suggests that "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning" is the…

This article presents the results from a survey that investigated the latest requirements and certification standards for school librarians in each state. In the survey, 42 report they require certification for K-12 library media specialists, meaning that school library candidates must have a bachelor's degree including coursework designed to…

This special issue includes articles on the image of the library science profession and librarians; leadership; the proposed federal standards for librarian positions; international outreach and nontraditional career opportunities for holders of MLS degrees; certification for media specialists, and enhanced status for catalogers with the use of…

Describes the ideal environment in school libraries for retaining professionals who combine the best tasks and skills from library science and technology. Institutions should have: a desire for change; ample support staff; staff development opportunities; high priority on people skills; and high expectations of staff and leaders. (AEF)

Guidelines are provided for applying standard library procedures, policies, and practices to the unique conditions in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, school libraries and media centers. The following policy areas are considered: (1) staff job descriptions; (2) administration; (3) materials selection; (4) organization, circulation, and…

This essay presents a professional librarian's opinion on a many-sided subject. Highlights include lack of attention to school library media specialists and their needs by library schools and the role of the school library media specialist in the educational process. Ten readers' responses are included. Eleven references are listed. (EJS)