Looks at collection development for print materials in school libraries serving children in grades K-8. The policy statement and the processes of evaluation, selection, acquisition, and weeding are examined, emphasizing the place of curriculum objectives and the role of the librarian. Twenty-two references and a bibliography of 15 selection tools…

Examines aspects of censorship that professional educators do not usually acknowledge--a silent, self-imposed censorship. Asks at what point book selection policy becomes a means to justify rejecting the purchase or provide for the removal of specific titles from the bookshelves. Suggests a solution: a written selection policy at the school and…

Argues that school libraries should maintain a commitment to encourage reading and have concern for the enrichment of the individual's imaginative and creative life. Describes a variety of ways the school libraries in the United Kingdom promote reading. (RS)

Libraries serve our nation and its citizens in two primary ways: by preserving our common culture, and by nurturing and sustaining democracy itself. A particular democratic function of libraries is fostering reading. As noted in two reports recently issued by the U.S. Department of Education, "What Works" and "First Lessons," it is imperative to…

Discusses weeding as part of the school library collection-building process. Topics addressed include criteria for making weeding decisions, including copyright date, last date of use, physical appearance, and timeliness; meeting students' needs; weeding audiovisual materials; and developing a plan for weeding. A sidebar describes special…

Presents an annotated bibliography of 16 bibliographic sources and journals to help school library media specialists identify multicultural books and materials for their collections. The ethnic and cultural diversity of public schools' student populations is described, and benefits of multicultural literature are discussed. (nine references) (LRW)

Discusses the importance of including primary source material in school library media centers and points out that many are probably already in collection, e.g., the texts of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, videotapes and audiotapes of actual events and voices, photographs, and paintings. Some basic primary materials are recommended. (LAE)

Contains an introduction (Jean Thibodeaux Kreamer) to this section and five articles on video in libraries: "Managing an Integrated Video Collection" (Michael Hedges); "The Video Librarian's Hide and Seek: Videotapes and Collection Development" (Merle Slyhoff); "Video in the Schools" (Charles Triche); "A Conversation with Sally Mason" (James…

Describes ways in which microcomputer technology can help school media centers with collection development. The need to map the media center collection is discussed, benefits of collection mapping are explained, the need to consider curriculum requirements is emphasized, and setting up a database and spreadsheet is discussed. (LRW)

Outlines steps for school library media centers planning for regional cooperative collection development (CCD) based on the use of a conspectus. CCD and resource sharing are contrasted; and use of the conspectus for analyzing the current collection, studying growth and use trends, and deciding future collection needs is explained. Conspectus…

Discusses African-American books for children from the perspective of an African-American author. The need for children's literature by and about African Americans is explained, winners of the Newbery and Caldecott awards are discussed, and suggestions for librarians regarding selection policies for African-American authors and illustrators are…

Describes how, over three years, teachers, students, parents, and administrators of a girls' school in India built a school library, going from a small locked-up collection with no check-out system to a warm and busy library room that was a popular hub of activity at the school, with a dynamic and expanding collection and a full-time librarian.…

Relates the role of Al Sandrini, superintendent of the Norris (CA) School District, in expanding the school libraries, including materials and staffing. Discusses what made him a strong library advocate, investing district money in libraries, site-based management, and how school librarians can be strong advocates. (LRW)

The benefits for students, teachers, administrators, and library media specialists of telefacsimile use in high school library media centers are outlined. It is noted that students, including those with special needs, would benefit from the expanded information searches made possible by telefacsimile-facilitated interlibrary cooperation. The…

Discusses the need for school librarians to use multiple selection tools in building suitable library collections and suggests cost effective methods for gaining access to selection tools. Selection aids discussed include bibliographies, book reviews, and catalogs of remainder houses. (CLB)