Discusses problems confronting school library media centers, including a lack of telephones for computer network access, a lack of professional personnel, and a lack of flexible scheduling. It is suggested that leadership roles, as well as membership in local and national organizations, are necessary to address these issues. (LRW)

Describes methods that can be used to encourage appropriate behavior in school libraries and media centers. Creating policy statements is discussed; differences between policy and procedures and rules are explained; reprimands and disciplinary measures are suggested; and sample statements of policy, student responsibilities, and media center…

Describes telecommunications technology available to school library media specialists for use with distance education programs. A needs assessment process developed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is explained, and a sidebar describes distance education programs currently available nationally over satellite and cable TV. (LRW)

Discusses national standardized testing versus testing reform and provides an overview of the alternative assessment movement and its relationship to the school library media specialist. Highlights include criticisms of standardized testing; theoretical assumptions for alternative assessment; research and practice related to specific alternative…

Describes current concerns and activities of the American Association of School Librarians, including the relationship between whole-language programs and school library media programs; local school site-based management initiatives and their impact on library media programs; fund-raising possibilities; federal funding for library media centers;…

This bibliography for school library media specialists lists periodical articles published in 1992 in the areas of information service; instructional consulting; management; teaching; literary consulting; notable authors, illustrators, and librarians; teaching; school reform; and the White Conference on Library and Information Services. (LRW)

Discusses planning necessary for library media centers that are adding new technology. Highlights include equity and access; selection of an automated system; implementation; placement of hardware, both for patrons and for staff; CD-ROMs and networks; and a case study of the West Windsor-Plainsboro (New Jersey) Middle School. (Contains five…

Discusses how to use stories to help children connect mathematical ideas to their own lives. Gives examples of picture books and other children's books that present math ideas, suggests the use of visual learning and real-life applications, and explains how to adapt ideas to library media center activities. (LRW)

Provides an annotated bibliography of publications related to resource-based learning, which is defined as a student-centered learning environment grounded in learning theory in which the teacher and the library-media specialist collaborate to help students with information needs, information retrieval, analyzing and synthesizing the information,…

A school librarian presents a plan for teaching Internet skills to all students. The lesson, taught to eighth-grade students, involved three class sessions, two homework assignments, and one written project. Goals and procedures are outlined for the two assignments described. (AEF)

Discusses access to Internet resources in school libraries, including the importance of evaluating content and appropriate use. The following online services that provide current factual information from legitimate resources are described: SIRS (Social Issues Resource Series), InfoTrac, EBSCO Host, SearchBank, and the Electric Library. (MES)

The new edition of "Information Power, National Guidelines for School Libraries" has a focus on change as reflected in technology, educational philosophy, role of the library media specialists, and importance of information literacy across the curriculum. These changes are explored, new trends are related to practice, and the impact on…

The new library at Eastern Michigan University provided Learning Resources and Technologies (LR&T) with an opportunity to restructure its services and fully integrate technologies and technology services for the 21st century. Challenges facing LR&T include the need to reallocate and/or reclassify staff positions, extend the campus network…

Offers experiences related to library media center usage and orientation/instruction that resulted from a change to block scheduling at Lakeview High School (Battle Creek, Michigan). Highlights include increased library use and circulation, and library instruction and orientation that includes print and nonprint media as part of a freshman…

Discusses the process of writing grants and requests for proposals (RFPs) from regional, state, or federal sources by school libraries. Topics include statement of need, goals and objectives, implementation of plans, staff development, evaluation methods, budget, and future issues. (LRW)