Argues that the school library media specialist's instructional consultation role can optimize the impact of information skills, and proposes that the choice of the information skills be dictated by (1) the cognitive requirements of the lesson; (2) the teacher's instructional design decisions; and (3) the learning characteristics of the students.…

Comments on four doctoral studies that show that development of information skills is most effective when integrated with classroom instruction by teachers and librarians who plan and teach cooperatively in a flexibly scheduled resource center. (four references) (KRN)

Discusses the role of paraprofessionals in secondary school libraries and suggests guidelines for the selection process. Highlights include a sample job description for a library media assistant that includes expectations and responsibilities; the need for adequate training; providing a variety of assignments; and establishing consistent policies.…

Discussion of the information needs of rural people in developing countries focuses on rural community resource centers in Africa. Topics addressed include centers run by the local community versus those run by a public library system; rural resource centers in Sierra Leone; community information centers in Asia; information transfer; and training…

Describes a public and school library cooperative project with a year-long focus on young adult authors that culminated in a conference open to all middle school students with presentations by five authors. Securing funding, the planning process, authors' contracts, problems about recommended reading lists, and enthusiastic feedback from students…

Describes objectives, resources, procedures, and teaching strategies for leading children to use magazines to produce a slide-tape show about animals. Highly structured formats for notetaking, synthesizing, and creating a final presentation are used to enable young children to do research and produce written reports without word-for-word copying.…

Discusses ways in which schools, libraries, and other cultural institutions can help students develop their own thoughts and foster a desire for lifelong learning. Schools and cultural institutions are compared, libraries are described as places for critical thinking, and a model for school information service is presented that stresses…

Discussion of the role of the school librarian focuses on a study in the state of Washington that identified the characteristics of library media specialists who were recognized as having exemplary high school library media programs. Use of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Evaluative Checklist is described. (11…

Discussion of how school library media specialists can fulfill the mission stated in "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs" focuses on responsiveness to the concerns of school administrators. Topics addressed include impacts on student learning; learner outcomes and performance objectives; measures of…

Describes a videodisk called "Draw and Color Funny Doodles with Uncle Fred" on drawing for an elementary school curriculum. Library media skills objectives, art objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, activities/procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are included. (LRW)

Examines the KASHA project in Botswana to illustrate the characteristics of sustainable development as manifested in localized contexts and situations. Suggests the need to document, share, describe, and discuss successful programs like KASHA. (MDH)

Explores areas to consider when planning and designing libraries/media centers. Examines wiring capabilities to meet future needs, ergonomics and furniture durability for workstations, and color and lighting schemes to enhance the indoor environment. (GR)

Provides guidelines on weeding science collections in junior high/high school libraries. Highlights include checking copyright dates, online sources, 13 science subject areas that deserve special consideration (plate tectonics, fission, fusion, radioactive dating, weather/climate, astronomy/space science, elements, integrated science,…

Discussion of the new information-literacy standards authored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) focuses on a new information process model, "Pathways to Knowledge: Follett's Information Skills Model." Topics include the role of…

Suggests strategies for school librarians to build a power base and become involved with the teachers and students. Highlights include surveying teachers regarding their needs and then responding with bibliographies of resources and flexible lesson plans, joining planning teams and committees, and encouraging student use of the library. (LRW)