Presents issues about school networking: how network administrators differ from technology directors; what administrators, technology directors, teachers, and students need to know; whether school library media specialists should serve as network administrators; why basic networking knowledge is advantageous; causes of problems affecting networks;…

Provides guidelines for automating a school library with limited funds and staff. Includes suggestions for preparation; finding equipment, choosing software, using MARC records, using volunteers for barcoding/loading records, the initial switch to an automated catalog, and continuing expenses and hardware upgrades. A sidebar lists costs for a…

Discusses flexible scheduling in school library media centers. Highlights include integrating classroom instruction with library instruction, collaboration between classroom teachers and teacher librarians, information skills curriculum, access to the library resource center, team planning, expectations of principals, commitment to resource-based…

Provides fully developed library media activities for elementary and middle school students, most of which are designed to be used in connection with specific curriculum units. Topics covered include art; reading/language arts, including fiction, point of view, storytelling, and dictionary skills; science; and social studies. (LRW)

Reports on the certification requirements for school library media specialists in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Testing and educational requirements are given, competencies and skills needed in various subject areas are listed, and the role of the American Library Association is explained. A directory of credentialing agencies is…

Describes the application of a comprehensive planning process to the library media program in the Lincoln (Nebraska) Public Schools. Highlights include identification of program needs; curriculum integration; a study of school library media center collections; use of technology; and essential elements for program change. (eight references) (LRW)

Discusses political action that affects school library media programs. Topics addressed include education and school library media program statistics; learning resources and technology statistics; the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA) of 1981, particularly the disparity of collections and effects on student achievement; and…

Discusses document delivery and the rise in periodical requests in school libraries. Problems with union listing tools, system protocols and procedures, interlibrary loan charges, and copyright procedures are described; cost effectiveness and time efficiency are considered; equitable school library services are discussed; and collection…

Presents information on state school library association activities and concerns, including state conferences, sometimes with joint sponsorship; a continued emphasis on the "Information Power" guidelines; teleconferences; whole language; multiculturalism; literacy; professional development; lobbying efforts; networking; publications;…

Annotates recent publications of interest to school library media specialists in the areas of cataloging and technical services (2 titles); issues and perspectives (2 titles); management (6 titles); resources (21 titles); teaching role (3 titles); and technology (8 titles). (LRW)

Describes fully developed library media activities that are designed to be used in connection with specific curriculum units. Highlights include music (the music of Africa), language arts (American Black poets), science (the work of George Washington Carver), and social studies (Laura Ingalls Wilder and the movement West). (LRW)

Reviews results of a study that was conducted to determine the level of organizational commitment of high school library media specialists in Ohio and to identify factors likely to produce or impede its development. Use of the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire and the Media Specialists Questionnaire is described. (27 references) (LRW)

Discusses ergonomic design considerations for library media centers. Specific design variables, including temperature and humidity, noise, illumination, color, and windows are discussed; and computer workstation design requirements are presented that address furniture and keyboard design, monitor and display features, software issues, and…

Discusses the use of quantitative collection development and use studies as research tools to evaluate the quality of children's library collections. Four studies, conducted in school and public libraries, that involve analyzing data with statistical tests are reviewed to show how data already being collected can be developed into research…

Describes the stages of an information consultancy project that established a management resource center to provide senior managers in a major financial institution with access to material for self-development. Interviews to assess information needs are described, success factors are considered, and personal qualities needed for information…