Describes a college level library science course designed to train school library media specialists in developing competencies in curriculum design, both as innovators and as professional teaching colleagues with classroom teachers. (LLS)

The article contains guidelines for the planning, development, organization, and equipping of an outdoor center which can serve as the focus of a school's outdoor education program and help meet current environmental challenges. (SB)

The mathematics learning center at Tacoma Community College aims to provide an effective method of reaching a diversity of student needs using three programs: independent-tutorial study, student tutorial, and a basic arithmetic skills laboratory. More than 30 mathematics courses are offered; each has an option of individualized instruction or…

Presents a cognitive model that provides a user-centered perspective of the information retrieval process and confirms the problematic nature of online library catalogs for children. Related research is reviewed, and it is concluded that developing children's thinking skills will help them search for information. (71 references) (Author/LRW)

This article is an annotated bibliography of research related to school library media programs found from ERIC and Dissertation Abstracts in 1996-97. Areas of research include reading, roles and relationships, intellectual freedom and social responsibilities, information literacy, staff development, and student achievement. (PEN)

Benefits for including popular culture resources in the school library resource center and classroom are that they provide entrees for communication and teaching; baselines of student knowledge; abundant and popular resources; opportunities for teaching critical thinking skills; and diversity. Discusses how teacher librarians can choose the most…

Examined the job satisfaction levels of American and international college and university media specialists. Discusses findings in terms of the work itself, human relations and related policies, and the physical-economic environment. An average level of "general satisfaction" was found, and the greatest differences in job satisfaction…

Includes seven lists of cooperative library organizations; national libraries and information industry associations in the United States and Canada; state, provincial, and regional library associations in the United States and Canada; state and provincial library agencies; state school library media associations; international library…

Discussion of the mission and roles of library media programs and teacher-librarians focuses on promoting books and reading, through which students become effective users of ideas. Highlights include reading proficiency; reading advocacy options; motivation approaches, including the ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) model;…

Explains the use of Web-based software for communication between classroom teachers and school library media specialists. Discusses threaded discussion forums; experiences using that forum by the AASL (American Association of School Librarians) at the American Library Association (ALA) preconference; and forum software. (LRW)

Discusses results of a survey of school media specialists and their budgets in a group of 81 participants in Western North Carolina. Findings included: virtually all participants had site-based management teams or school improvement teams in their schools, however, only a third of the media specialists were on these teams, and there was much…

Media services department administrators at 161 public, four-year colleges and universities were surveyed regarding: characteristics of media directors, job assignments, academic preparation, work experience, participation in professional activities, time spent in job functions, and the effect of recent changes in departments. Compares results…

Discusses the use of electronic portfolios by school library media specialists for professional development as a resume, an evaluation instrument, or other types of credential documentation. Includes guidelines for building a successful portfolio, including appropriate software selection; audience considerations; and technology skill…

Presents lists of networks, consortia, and other cooperative library organizations; national library and information-industry associations in the U.S. and Canada; state, provincial, and regional library associations; state and provincial library agencies; state school library media associations; international library associations; and foreign…

Discusses adolescent boys who are troubled and considers whether libraries and media centers can make a difference in their lives. Provides a checklist of questions to help libraries determine whether boys are welcome in their libraries and suggests authors and titles that are especially geared toward boys. (LRW)