"Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" from the American Association of School Librarians provides a superb set of standards for learners in K-12 and beyond. The main categories are (1) inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge; (2) draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new…

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the integration of Norfolk Public Schools. On February 2, 1959, the "Norfolk 17" integrated the formerly all-white public middle and high schools in Norfolk, Virginia. Less known than their counterparts in Little Rock, Arkansas, the stories of the Norfolk 17 underscore the struggle schools…

When people look back at the World Wide Web of 1996, there can be no doubt that today's web is better and more useful. Hyperlinking webpages and bookmarking were two of the most important aspects of the Web 1.0 world. Soon, though, usability and sharing became very high priorities, and Web 2.0 evolved. Information published in the Web 2.0 world…

Today's students are fortunate enough to grow up in an environment where education is student-focused. Programs supporting the needs of students on both an educational and personal level exist. The alternative setting promotes both acceptance of the individual and appreciation of diversity. The author was overwhelmed when she became a media…

Engaging students to learn through play is not a new idea, and, based on how many animals learn that way, the connection is probably instinctual. For some educators, however, this concept is a radical notion that threatens to topple the wall that they have carefully constructed to separate work and play. Just as some media specialists, teachers,…

In this Digital Literacies column, online book clubs are offered as one example of how to effectively bridge old and new literacy practices. These Internet-based book clubs capitalize on children's interest in new literacy practices while complementing, and hopefully encouraging, traditional reading practices. Examples from online book clubs…

Transaction logs of user activity on an academic library website were analyzed to determine general usage patterns on the website. This paper reports on insights gained from the analysis, and identifies and discusses issues relating to content access, interface design and general functionality of the website. (Contains 13 figures and 8 tables.)

For many people, the word "twitter" brings to mind birds rather than humans. But information professionals know that Twitter (www.twitter.com) is a fast-growing, free messaging service for people, and it's one that libraries (and librarians) can make good use of--without spending much time or effort. This article discusses the many potential uses…

This article reports on a project, involving three New Zealand schools, which investigated teachers' understanding of information literacy and their associated classroom practices. Recently published work, while lamenting school students' lack of information literacy skills, including working with online resources, provides little research…

This document is a compilation of input and output measures and other statistics in reference to Idaho's public libraries, covering the period October 1, 1994 to September 30, 1995. This report includes data gathered by the State Library with the "Public and District Library Annual Statistical Report Form" which reflects all monies…

The periodic review and development of public library standards are undertaken by the Kansas State Library to best serve the public interest by insuring the quality of the state's public libraries. Standards are defined for the structure and governance of libraries. Service objectives and standards for automation and technology are defined.…

This publication provides librarians with a broader understanding of outsourcing issues in academic libraries. The book investigates the literature, then presents a survey of more than 200 academic research libraries involved with outsourcing projects. This book synthesizes prevailing theories and practice, details pros and cons, an outlines steps…

The 1989-1990 Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) program is presented in this report for the South Carolina State Library. The document includes fiscal information and project descriptions for the following LSCA Title I projects: (1) General Administration; (2) Library Interpretation; (3) General Operations; (4) Strengthening the State…

Intended as a basis for continuing and expanding cooperative network activities, this publication presents five comprehensive reports developed in 1981/82 which assess the academic libraries of the 16 public and private postsecondary educational institutions in Alabama. The five reports cover collection development, staff adequacy, space…

This self-study provides an assessment of the mission, programs, and educational purposes of the University of North Alabama's Collier Library. An analysis of information related to the staffing, budget, resources, services, and institutional relationships of the library is provided, along with a detailed examination of Collier Library's ability…