As K-12 schools increase the presence of and access to technology, the role of school librarians is changing. Many librarians have not been prepared by their colleges and universities for the changes demanded by their jobs. In this article, we discuss the skills that 47 school librarians reported having learned on the job as opposed to in…

In this article, the author discusses the role of school librarians as teachers in our learning ecosystems. In the author's partnership as an embedded librarian with English teacher Susan Lester at Creekview High School, they have sought in their Media 21 learning initiative to engage student participation, creating and sustaining conversations…

Briefly discusses the evolution of duties of school media specialists and describes use of an attitudinal questionnaire to survey the school community to see how well media services are being received and whether improvements or adjustments are necessary. Items to be included in such a questionnaire are listed. (MBR)

Suggests seven basic steps of instructional design to be used by library media specialists in planning with teachers for instructional development efforts. (Author/CMV)

Shifts in networked technologies have removed the need to store information geographically close to students, staff, and faculty on college campuses. This shift has put libraries on the offense to remain vital to the campuses they serve. As the library of the future emerges, new models for decision making that place an emphasis on the teaching and…

The editors of School Library Media Activities Monthly discuss the debate between advocates of a strong instructional development or design role for library media specialists and advocates of strong library media skills programs. They suggest that well-planned and interesting lessons can incorporate both library media and classroom objectives. (EM)

Examples of school library media activities that illustrate instructional involvement currently taking place in various parts of the nation are classified according to David Loertscher's taxonomy. (CHC)

Describes the Hinz model for integrating the library, educational media, and instructional development functions of the learning resources program, highlighting the three stages of program development. Explains how Pensacola Junior College's instructional program could be reorganized and become more fully integrated by using the model. (CBC)

Reports on a survey of middle and high schools in eastern North Carolina's Clinical Schools Network that examined the current status of computer networking and how the role of school media specialist is being affected. Results are reported related to perceived instructional needs and network problems, as well as proposed instructional and…

Reviews the role of a public school media specialist and suggests resources for further reading in various areas. Highlights include the instructional role; levels of instructional involvement; the role of school libraries; teaching information skills; and the evaluation process, including evaluation of instructional systems, student performance,…

This article highlights the importance of librarians joining the secondary school instructional planning process at the curriculum development stage and demonstrates how librarians and teachers can jointly plan instructional programs. Discussion covers implementation of guidelines, curriculum involvement, and six challenges. Fifty-eight references…

Employs the narrative of a school media specialist's experiences in developing an active instructional role for the school library as a vehicle to summarize research findings on the attitudes of administrators, teachers, and media specialists toward the role of media specialists in instructional development. A 16-item reference list is included.…

Discusses reasons why library media specialists are not actively involved in the instructional development process and offers several suggestions for improving future library media center programs. Seven references are cited. (CHC)

Enumerates some of the unconventional and innovative activities of the community college learning resources center (LRC). Delineates the guidelines established by two professional associations for the LRC, and outlines steps for fulfilling its identified role. Suggests future trends in the areas of audiovisual services, software collections,…

Presents a taxonomy of 11 different levels at which school library media centers can be involved in instructional development, ranging from no involvement to participation in curriculum development by the library media specialist. (CHC)