Discusses the need for school librarians to be familiar with basic cataloging rules and describes basic provisions of the Anglo American Cataloging Rules (AACR) and its revisions in AACR2R. Explains terminology, including MARC records and IBBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description), and lists helpful Web sites for MARC records and…

Lists 21 Web sites that are helpful for school librarians. Includes general search engines and how they determine hits; specialized search engines on specific topics; and other topical sites. (LRW)

Describes a project for middle school librarians to use to motivate students to read for pleasure. Explains activities based on the idea of a mystery at the school, and describes how clues were developed and linked to books in certain genres that students had to read. (LRW)

Discusses how to plan for successful author or illustrator visits to school libraries. Topics addressed include preparing students by acquainting them with the visitor's works; how to contact authors or illustrators; written letters of confirmation; arranging for copies of books for autographing; scheduling; and follow-up. (LRW)

Defines proactivity as a way of behaving that directly alters your work environment. Discusses the role of initiative; proactive school librarians; change opportunities; change-oriented goals; and the downsides of proactivity, both institutional and personal. (LRW)

Provides an annotated list of books and videos to help school librarians find additional sources of funding and to help with more formal fundraising. Includes a list of corporate sources of grants, sources of fundraising projects, and a sidebar with advice to grant seekers. (LRW)

Describes how to present a good image of the school library media center at the beginning of the school year. Highlights include coming in earlier than the teachers or students to set up displays and present an organized image, library instruction coordinated with English classes, and sample questions for orientation assignments. (LRW)

Suggests time management techniques that can be useful for school librarians. Highlights include differences in right brain-left brain chemistry; making lists; setting priorities; using a daily planner; and creative uses of time, including breaks. (LRW)

Includes eight articles that address issues related to budgeting and finances in secondary school libraries. Topics include limited budgets; budget proposals; administering grants; writing grants; using Microsoft's Excel software for budgeting; using credit cards for library purchases; offering prizes for donating books; and offering coffee and…

Discusses how school librarians can use self-interest to increase their influence with the principal. Topics include demonstrating how the library can help; providing pertinent information; increasing interaction with the principal; accuracy and speed of providing information; helpful Web sites; and organizing and presenting the information. (LRW)

Continues a discussion of how library media specialists can become more organized. Topics include reducing the time spent dealing with paperwork by having someone else sort the mail; organizing paperwork by the use of folders and files; and desk space and other appropriate furniture, including space for computers. (LRW)

Describes mentoring programs for new school library media specialists based on experiences in two urban school systems in Georgia. Discusses criteria for the selection of mentors; support meetings; funding to compensate mentors; the role of administrators; and evaluating mentoring programs. (LRW)

Describes an evaluation that provided data regarding the roles of school library media specialists and whether they align with guidelines in "Information Power". Reviewed job descriptions via a listserv; compiled a list of performance responsibilities to develop a model job description; and concluded that a leadership role needs to be…

This series of articles discusses the use of adult and student volunteers in school libraries, focusing on volunteer recruitment; planning, implementation, and evaluation of volunteer programs; training methods and materials; and appropriate rewards for volunteers. (CLB)

Eight articles discuss ways for school libraries to promote themselves, including innovative uses of bulletin boards and newsletters; ways of coping with budget cuts; maintaining good relationships with administrators, students, and teachers; use of electronic publishing to create newsletters; and capitalizing on the controversy surrounding…