Presents strategies that students can use to evaluate information and recommends ways to integrate them into the curriculum. Highlights include evaluation as a critical thinking skill; current research about the evaluation process of sophisticated information users; and recommendations for school library media practice based on theoretical and…

Introduces the special issue of the "Journal of American Society for Information Science and Technology," (JASIST) whose intent is to provide a forum for assessment of "where we have been and where we are going." Highlights themes that emerged from nine selected articles: Community and Trust; Communication and Community;…

Suggests that current conditions are nearly ideal for the effective meta-assessment of online reference services (ORS), in part because expected patterns and modes of service have not yet been established for emerging and evolving online environments, and in part because the distance between theory and practice regarding reference service in…

Discusses Finland's new National Strategy for Education, Training, and Research in the Information Society for 2000-2004. The new strategy's objectives and how to achieve them are examined in the areas of planning of educational facilities and libraries, establishing virtual schools and distance learning, and integrating information technology in…

Applies learning theory and ergonomic principles to the design of effective learning environments for library instruction. Discusses features of electronic classroom ergonomics, including the ergonomics of physical space, environmental factors, and workstations; and includes classroom layouts. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the personal and subjective nature of humor and considers ways that children respond to humor in literature and films. Suggests activities for school library media specialists to use with specific books that are humorous, including group discussions, individualized writings, and examining illustrations. (LRW)

Suggests ways to develop strong middle-school reading programs involving efforts of states, school districts, and individual schools. Provides cost estimates. (PKP)

Discusses thinking skills as they relate to library information skills, especially information inquiry, information literacy, and information use. Topics include ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) standards of student performance and bibliographic instruction; college level critical thinking skills; and authentic tasks for…

Describes the Tufts University Health Sciences Database, which combines course delivery, digital library, knowledge management, and curriculum management systems. (EV)

Discusses scope and sequence plans for curriculum coordination in elementary and secondary education related to school libraries. Highlights include library skills; levels of learning objectives; technology skills; media literacy skills; and information inquiry skills across disciplines by grade level. (LRW)

Interviews with 55 of 260 adults who completed Access courses and progressed to British universities revealed areas in which they felt the courses left them underprepared: conducting library research, using information technology and the Internet, writing essays, and practicing for exams. They would have preferred a grading system similar to that…

Presents a general review of features of version 2.1 of Total Library Computerization (TLC) for Windows from On Point, Inc. Includes information about pricing, hardware and operating systems, modules/functions available, user interface, security, on-line catalog functions, circulation, cataloging, and documentation and online help. A table…

Describes the Web-based technologies employed by the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in implementing access to local information resources. Discusses Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) technologies and the associated local database structure and format, as well as the general…

Offers guidelines for selecting picture books for library media centers. Topics include artistic media, with examples of titles for each type; elements of design, including color; style; layout; the story itself; quality of paper and binding; intended audience; selecting with specific teachers and students in mind; and recommendations from…

Discusses one architectural design firm's answer to designing educational facilities that can grow and change with the times using technology and space planning. Design ideas for libraries/media centers and mini-labs are discussed. The concept emphasizes flexibility in giving teachers a wide range of options in conducting their classes and…