This survey of 144 school media specialists in Nebraska examines number of microcomputers in use in schools, funding sources, present and projected use of microcomputers, computer terminal availability, level of computer use, training of media specialists, and the need for training in instructional and library data management applications of…

Assessing importance of various criteria used to evaluate faculty members for tenure, promotion, and salary increases, compared with responses of professional schools and social sciences departments, surveyed in 1977 by John A. Centra. Thirteen references are provided. (EJS)

Analyzes queueing statistics to determine their utility in predicting catalog usage and the relationships between card and serials catalogs and to pinpoint peak catalog usage. This measurement should provide one factor in a simulation model to accurately predict the number of catalog devices needed for alternative catalog formats. Eight references…

Describing the outdoor program at the Lorado Taft Field Campus (Northern Illinois University) which is served by an instructional materials center specializing in outdoor learning, this article illustrates how to organize a small, centrally located resource center for outdoor education materials. (SB)

Discusses how to provide effective Internet instruction to Latino students in higher education. Topics include cultural issues, computer literacy inequalities, the Internet as a motivating influence, broadening students' world views, learning styles, and implications for librarians. (LRW)

Presents tips for school librarians to encourage reading based on Stephen Krashen's analysis in "The Power of Reading" of more than 200 research studies, articles, and books on reading and literacy. Highlights include the effects of reading on student achievement; recreational reading; and reading aloud. (LRW)

Lists books, articles, videos, studies, and other information in library science related to workplace recruitment and retention of people of African, Hispanic or Latino, Asian/Pacific, or Native American identification, descent, or heritage. Includes materials examining workplace problems for racial minorities and the inclusive organization.…

Presents results of a study on user needs, sources used, and search successes. Illustrates that despite increasing competition from other information sources available to the public--such as consumer media and the Internet--libraries are still a primary source of information and education for the American public. (AEF)

Easy-to-read books are not just stories. Many are about science, math, and history. This article provides an annotated bibliography of story, history, math, and science easy-to-read books published in 1997. The author recommends spending money to replace worn older outstanding titles rather than automatically buying new titles of lesser quality.…

An external user and an academic business reference librarian collaborated to design a Web site for members of the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO). This article describes the Web site's development and organization (accounting, budgeting, and related areas; technology and information systems; health and human resources; and finding…

Examines the degree and extent of bibliographic data of selected electronic journals in national bibliographic utilities and the means to provide access to them at individual libraries. Demonstrates the potential issues of accessibility, as well as the acceptance of this new format of information resources by end users. (AEF)

Proposes a reference-interview strategy that allows the reference librarian to assess the information need of the undergraduate doing social science research that requires the use of an electronic database; label the information need; and assign the most appropriate search strategy to satisfy this need. Questions for further study are offered.…

Discussion of academic library online catalog users' queries highlights a new approach to displaying retrieved subject headings in subject searching, the exact-display approach, that was designed to encourage users to browse bibliographic information. Demonstrates an implementation of the exact-display approach in an experimental online catalog.…

Discusses the importance of students learning and practicing effective questions in a manner that leads to organizing how information is to be searched, retrieved and sorted. Outlines ways school library media specialists should engage students in question-generating and in learning to research answers to questions. (AEF)

Explores the use of MOO (multi-user object oriented) virtual environments in academic libraries to enhance reference services. Highlights include the development of multi-user database (MUD) technology from gaming to non-recreational settings; programming issues; collaborative MOOs; MOOs as distinguished from other types of virtual reality; audio…