School librarians balance leadership and instruction in a fluid role that is highly influenced by education trends such as innovation, budget cuts, and distance learning. Prior research found these professionals remain relevant by learning through social media. This exploratory project inquired about the activities, motives, and barriers…

To aid school librarians in nurturing inclusive learning communities, AASL [American Association of School Librarians] tasked a 2019 ALA [American Library Association] Emerging Leaders team with developing a guide of reflection activities and resources based on the Include Shared Foundation in the National School Library Standards. The…

The school librarian has a critical role to play in the 21st-century school learning environment. However, because of the constant changes in K-12 school environments and the difficult decisions administrators must make about allocating money to best help students, school librarians must rigorously document their professional growth and impact.…

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has created additional opportunities for school librarians to collaborate with classroom teachers, reading specialists, and other educators in support of schools' literacy goals. This potential for expanded collaboration suggests a need for increased focus on reading instruction as part of the school…

Identifies and synthesizes literature on role modeling and the place of educators as role models in women's professional development. Results of survey of master's level library science students designed to ascertain existence and influence of role models and their gender in career choices are reported. Questionnaire is appended. (29 references)…

The purpose of this study was to develop a model of a mentoring program for first year media specialists by exploring existing examples. Qualitative methods were employed in conducting this research. A document review was undertaken to establish accepted mentoring program guidelines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with coordinators of…

This paper on professional development activities in the Winnipeg (Canada) School Division No. 1 begins with background on population, staffing, and budgeting in the district, a list of principles of effective staff development, and historical perspectives on the division's staff development program from 1962 to 1988. Activities discussed include…

Reports results of study which investigated kinds of professional development activities engaged in by school library media specialists. Values and types of professional development activities, amount of input to district library media policy, release time provided, and other factors influencing professional development activities are noted.…

This practical handbook focuses on interpersonal skills that will increase the effectiveness of recent library school graduates, paraprofessional librarians, and aides who have assumed the role of managing small public or school libraries. It describes numerous techniques that librarians can use to become better leaders and offers specific…

Nine articles address the topic of professionalism among school librarians. Highlights include personal initiative and suggestions for growing professionally, a professional involvement profile, career and job options, best-ever workshops, professional growth through travel, from librarian to computer coordinator, illustrated booktalks, the school…

The role of school librarians has changed as the rapid expansion of information technology during the last decade has placed more emphasis on their participation in the instructional process, and propelled the librarian into a new role as school media specialist. Many media specialists have difficulty in grasping their role in schools. They are…

School library media specialists in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia were surveyed in April 1990 to determine their perceptions of their training needs as they are being called upon to use the latest information technologies to access, transfer, and store information. The 2,202 responses received represented a response rate of…

This publication contains the 3-year plan of a three-county school library system located in central New York State. The system is funded by the state, and the contents of the plan are mandated by state regulation. The plan provides the following: (1) organizational information; (2) a membership list of the School Library System Council; (3)…

This book presents the results of an evaluation of Library Power, an initiative of the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund that provided support for school library development in 19 communities. Following an introductory chapter, the chapters are organized around key questions of the evaluation. Chapters 2 through 4 address the implementation of…