Briefly discusses the six National Goals for Education and America 2000 and presents a paper prepared by the American Association of School Librarians called "Implementing the National Goals for Education through School Library Media Programs." Suggestions for library media specialists are included, and materials prepared by the…

Discussion of the development of educational standards and the impact on school library media programs focuses on what constitutes information skills, or information literacy. Documents for 27 states are listed that outline the information skills actually taught in the various states. (LRW)

Reviews the history of school libraries and librarians and changes that have occurred; discusses present conditions, including the need for collaboration, leadership, and greater visibility; and considers future possibilities, including strategies for successful change. (LRW)

Discusses computer vendors who position themselves as value-added resellers to benefit school library media specialists by assisting them in purchasing effective and appropriate technology products and services. Explains the benefits of developing a good relationship with a vendor, even if the cost is higher than purchasing through a catalog. (LRW)

Offers ideas for activities that elementary school library media specialists can use in the beginning of the year to welcome students back and reacquaint them with library rules and procedures. Describes songs, group activities, treasure hunts, games, and poster design for older students. (LRW)

Annotates 41 Web sites that contain information on children's authors and illustrators that can be used to supplement print resources in school library media centers. Includes collective sites, individual sites, and publisher's sites. (LRW)

Discussion of "Information Power," endorsed by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) and by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), focuses on assessing student outcomes in information literacy by school library media specialists. Describes collaborative, comprehensive, concrete, and…

Presents tables that contain the most current data available on media specialist certification requirements in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Educational program, experience, recommendation, minimum test scores, knowledge in various subject areas, competencies, and practicums are listed. (Author/LRW)

Explains AWArds (Awesome WebSite Awards), a program to encourage educators to collaborate on lessons that teach young children how to evaluate the Web sites they encounter. Students themselves nominate sites for the AWArds, and a panel of judges selects winners in three categories. (LRW)

Describes the use of video technology in elementary schools, particularly for social studies activities. Explains iMovie, a nonlinear editing software program for digital video nonprofessionals; discusses the possibilities for cooperative projects between library media specialists and teachers; and offers video production tips. (LRW)

Explains how school media centers and libraries are transforming into bustling workrooms and why they deserve serious consideration during the design process. The main factors to consider in the planning phase of a media center are reviewed. (GR)

Library media specialists can show the effectiveness of the library media center in support of block scheduling through action research. This article discusses how to add to the evidence on the effects of changes because of block scheduling through testing the effects of block scheduling on use of the library media center. (Author/LRW)

Describes an assessment instrument developed by Norman (Oklahoma) Public Schools based on "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning", published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Emphasis on partnerships encourages assessment by…

Provides and explains an instrument developed for evaluation of the teacher-librarian by the principal. Discusses the need to separate evaluation of the library program from the evaluation of the librarian; includes guidelines for principals regarding necessary professional and personal competencies for teacher-librarians; and discusses the…

Considers the opportunity for creativity in the use of technology in the school library media center. Highlights include technology defined by "Information Power"; the creative personality; creativity and technology; and 12 characteristics of a creative library media specialist, including adaptability, flexibility, and independent…