Discusses challenges facing the school library media profession during the next decade and the response needed to ensure that the profession continues to exist. The lack of attention to the role of media specialists in the aftermath of "A Nation at Risk" and the role articulated in "Information Power" are described. (KRN)

Discussion of reference sources for the study of science and technology focuses on an annotated list of eight less expensive sources that supplement standard materials such as encyclopedias. An example of an activity designed for grades five, six, or seven that deals with inventions related to water is included. (LRW)

Summarizes findings from a study that investigated the impact of school library media centers on academic achievement. Findings in the following areas are presented: size of the resource center staff and collection; qualifications of staff; duties of the teacher-librarian, including the instructional role; collaboration with classroom teachers;…

Describes a survey of 100 community and junior college librarians to collect information about the libraries, the availability of electronic mail systems, and attitudes about expanded E-mail use for interlibrary communication. Of 22 respondents, 12 have local E-mail systems and 11 have access to multi-institutional networks. Includes the…

Reviews recent resources for assessing school library media programs and discusses the importance of program assessment. Circulation statistics and personal approaches to assessment are described, and the findings of three research reports on the effectiveness of school library media programs are discussed. (KRN)

Describes the Central Media Resource System (CMRS), a method that allows multimedia instruction to large groups of students. Highlights include the information infrastructure, including fiber optics and coaxial cable; use of the CMRS in the classroom and in the media resource center; and future possibilities, including local and wide area…

Includes three articles about research in the school library media field: (1) "The State of Research Today" (Michael B. Eisenberg) (2) "Recent Trends in School Library Media Research" (Robert Grover and Susan G. Fowler); and (3) "Notes from ERIC" (Barbara Minor) provides references to 10 research overviews and…

Describes the partnerships between teacher-librarians and principals, teachers, community members, public librarians, and businesses that school children need to gain information literacy skills. Descriptions, which are adapted from the forthcoming book "Information Literacy: Resources for Elementary School Leaders," include the…

Describes Jackson Community College's Professional Development Center, a drop-in center housing print and nonprint materials on hundreds of professional development topics. Reviews college efforts to motivate staff to use the center. Outlines the center's evaluation criteria. (DMM)

Describes the establishment of the very visible and successful Five College Foreign Language Resource Center, focusing on the grantsmanship, equipment, benefits and pitfalls of a consortial approach, involvement with high schools, and a planned summer colloquium. (Author/CB)

Describes the implementation of CD-ROM catalogs in two secondary school media centers. Hardware, software, and network details are presented. Database building is discussed, and factors to be considered in retrospective conversion are listed. Guidelines for student and faculty training are offered. (MES)

Discussion of teacher-librarians in Canadian schools focuses on "Partners in Action," a document of the Ontario Ministry of Education that addresses the role of the school library media program. School funding is discussed, and results of a survey of school libraries in Ontario are described. (LRW)

Includes seven articles that deal with public relations (PR) for school librarians. Highlights include image problems librarians face and suggestions for promoting more positive images; PR plans that focus on the past, present, and future; nontraditional ways that librarians can attract students and teachers; publicity techniques; and media center…

Presents an interim report on a study that is investigating the potential application and effectiveness of selected output measurement techniques for use in the evaluation of school library media programs. Reference services and in-house use will be evaluated in the study. (LRW)

Provides anecdotal information about the Science Learning Center and demonstrates how an academic support system for the natural sciences can promote a positive learning milieu, reduce science anxiety, and furnish additional learning modalities. (PR)