Discusses federal government support for school library and media centers. Topics include the relationship between library spending and student achievement, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), potential sources of funding, anticipated problems, and the need for librarians to continue to communicate with legislators. (LRW)

Describes steps for improving preservice teacher education, including the training of school library media specialists. Highlights include behavioral aspects, including imitation, isolation, transfer, and technique; technological aspects; and the evolution of library and information literacy skills of the school media specialist. (LRW)

Provides six fully developed library media activities that are designed to be used with specific curriculum units in English as a Second Language, social studies, reading/language arts, and science. Library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, instructional roles, activity and procedures for completion, evaluation, and…

Describes the possibilities for establishing a summer program at school library media centers. Highlights include funding; publicity and publications; staffing, including parent and teacher volunteers and student aids; scheduling; student participation, including preschoolers; problems; and facilities and equipment. (LRW)

Describes a study comparing information retrieval from print and CD-ROM versions of Compton's Encyclopedia. Forty-eight sixth-grade students searched four questions in both versions. The results showed that the searches took the same amount of time in both. The novice searchers were able to use an information retrieval system with minimal…

Presents a guide for five library media activities for physical education, reading and language arts, and social studies. Highlights include library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, activity and procedures for completion, evaluation, and follow-up. (AEF)

Discusses methodologies for school improvement and suggests that teacher-librarians should assume a leadership role in helping teachers and students become successful consumers of information. Topics include the quality movement; using the corporate world as a model; attitudes to change; strategic planning; continual improvement; lifelong…

Explains the concept of diagnosing information needs as part of the role of the school library media specialist. Topics discussed include the diagnostic process, i.e., the reference interview; information psychology; theories of information transfer; a model for diagnosing information needs; and implications for practitioners and for research. (19…

Discusses the role of school library media specialists as instructional consultants and the gap between theory and practice in the roles of curriculum support and instructional design. A study of school media specialists in DeKalb County (Georgia) Public Schools is described that investigated the theory-practice gap. (23 references) (LRW)

Describes activities and resources for elementary and junior high school students that highlight the contributions of African-Americans in the United States. Materials reviewed include games, workbooks, teacher's guides, and books for students. A list of distributors who can provide additional print and nonprint materials is included. (two…

Considers several topics related to children and reading, including the author's childhood reading experiences, her experiences writing about and teaching children's literature, the effects of television on reading, types of literature-based reading programs, and requirements for a successful reading program. (23 references) (MES)

Addresses issues pertaining to collection development in school library media programs. Trends regarding teacher effectiveness, financial support, and ethnic diversity that are based on relevant demographic statistics are described; issues discussed in "Information Power" are identified; pertinent literature is reviewed; and implications…

Discusses books and films that have themes relating to water that are suitable for elementary school children and suggests activities that can be used to complement them, including writing and designing exhibits. Materials from various cultural backgrounds are suggested, and a list of 62 books and 5 films is provided. (LRW)

Reviews 1993 activities of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), including conferences, training programs, and position papers and lists current concerns, including school restructuring, literacy, certification competencies, outcomes-based education, cultural diversity, students at risk, and technology. (KRN)

Discusses the role of school principals and their relationship with the school library media specialist. Topics addressed include budgeting; decision making; individual management styles; expectations of education; site-based management; and the media specialist's role in school reform. (LRW)