Explores the influence of several search task characteristics on children's success in finding science materials on an automated library catalog. Findings suggest that the complexity of the search task and the level of children's science domain knowledge affect their success in identifying books on assigned science topics. (Author/AEF)

Investigates Kuhlthau's Search Process Model for information seeking using two Freshmen English classes. Data showed that students followed the six stages Kuhlthau proposed and suggest extensions to the model, including changing the order of the tasks, iterating and combining steps, and revising search goals based on social and interpersonal…

Examines the information problem-solving (Big Six Skills) approach to performance evaluation, which allows library media specialists to focus on student performance and how it benefits from specific activities. Describes the "Big Six Skills Approach": task definition, information seeking, location and access, use of information,…

Discusses results of a comparative survey of 201 academic librarians, 126 unaffiliated and 75 unionized, that revealed wide disparities in the opportunities for librarians to meet the scholarship and governance requirements for faculty status. Results confirm that the absence of uniform representation has profound implications for the future of…

Discusses the concept of cooperative learning and its application to library and information skills. Topics include Bloom's Taxonomy of Instructional Objectives; interpersonal skills; circles of learning; meaningful-use tasks, including decision making and problem solving; and suggestions for cooperative activities for library information…

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…

Examines the current perceptions and realities of part-time academic librarians and looks at the New Concept model as a feasible approach to meeting employee and employer needs effectively. Issues of status, equitable compensation, and professional support are discussed; and the impact of part-time librarians on the organization is examined.…

Examines how preservice and inservice teachers relate to working cooperatively with school librarians in the instructional process, and how attitude components form and change. A study found no difference between the attitudes of preservice and inservice teachers. School size and teachers' knowledge about librarians and library education were…

Describes peer-teaching lessons designed by school library media studies students at the University of Northern Iowa as part of an assignment to teach about the World Wide Web. The lessons focused on search engines; comparing information about authors on the Web and in-print resources; comparing web sites on the same subject; and fact and opinion…

Reviews the literature on local area network (LAN) installation and describes the installation of a CD-ROM LAN at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia). Server evaluation and installation, access menu, user training, LAN licensing, campus-wide networking, the impact of networking, and future projects planned are…

With teaching, shelving books, and ordering and processing materials, one media specialist found it increasingly hard to meet the hardware and software needs of staff and students. Describes how she implemented a program for employing students in grades 4-6 to provide simple maintenance for educational technology. Discusses task determination,…

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…

Describes the design of a Common Molecules collection that provides interactive tools for 3-D visualization of molecules. The organizational design provides not only structural information, but also historical and/or key information on the properties of the molecules in the collection. Describes student use of the collection and the role of…

Documents the reasons for embargoes of academic journals in full text databases (i.e., publisher-imposed delays on the availability of full text content) and provides insight regarding common misconceptions. Tables present data on selected journals covering a cross-section of subjects and publishers and comparing two full text business databases.…

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)