An accessible library media center (LMC) offers many benefits for the school community. Library media specialists can support their education colleagues in delivering inclusive learning opportunities to a wide range of students. Assistive technology (AT) deployment in the LMC can benefit students and teachers by spotlighting low-, mid-, and…

The author, as a library media specialist, admitted that she needed more study on library organization despite three years of teaching Dewey to her elementary students. To be more accurate, she realized she needed a clearer understanding of what Mr. Melvil Dewey had in mind when he devised his plan for organizing books and information in the…

A library media specialist already knows from library school some things that he/she should do, namely collaborate with teachers to integrate information skills instruction with classroom content, encourage reading, teach wise use of technology, and advocate for the library media center program. Maybe what isn't talked about as much is what a…

A library media center is the information hub of the school, but it is beginning to look a little frayed at the shelves and it's time for a makeover. In this article, the authors present the steps in the makeover process and provide creative ideas to improve the atmosphere of the library media center. Before the makeover, there should be a plan.…

An important tool for communication and collaboration is the library newsletter, which the library media specialist writes to the staff, teachers and library media specialist from other schools. The newsletter includes upcoming events teachers can sign up for, information on web sites to be used for projects, curriculum ideas, introduction of a…

Library programming documents can help to keep organized in the midst of ever-changing plans and can give teachers the guidance they need to fulfill their role in collaborative units. A list of programming documents that are suitable for handouts or e-mails is presented.

Sensing that their libraries are in competition with local bookstores that offer leisurely atmospheres, warm aromatic drinks, and prominently displayed books and other materials by genre, many librarians have considered "shelving" the Dewey decimal system in order to rearrange their libraries in a similar fashion. The author of this article, a…

This article talks about selection policy and provides suggestions on how library media specialists can update their selection policies to provide an atmosphere that facilitate inquiry. The selection policy is meant to ensure that the collection meets the needs of the school community as comprehensively and effectively as possible. Instead of…

Practice is important in learning, maintaining, or improving any skills. Studies by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show that students perform better when they do independent reading. In order to be a good reader, a person must practice reading, but reading practice declines markedly after fifth grade. Educators and parents…

Teaching library terminology and definitions can be a real bore. Unfortunately, no matter how one looks at it, students need to learn a set of basic library words and their meanings. The Library ABC's game teaches elementary age students library terms and definitions, and it is effective, efficient, easy, exciting, and fun. Introduce the Library…

Many secrets can be told by the physical surroundings of library media centers. Whether the center is kid-friendly is one of the first obvious tell-tale signs. When a library center has Arthur & D.W., Clifford, Pooh & Eeyore, shells, special rocks, etc. hidden by the circulation center or in the back in boxes, it's time to revolt. The movie Free…

School library websites enhance and explain the services provided by the library. Most schools have a library website. Jurkowski (2004) reviewed thirty-four school library websites and ranked the most common features: website links, databases, policies, Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), and websites by subject. These features give patrons a…

The one year the author was an elementary librarian, she organized a Read Across America (RAA) celebration involving three different elementary campuses. This included bringing in community members to read, free books for students, and the piece de resistance--campus principals dressing up in the Cat in the Hat suit and reading to the entire…

Library media specialists make it a point to be sure their students and parents know they are responsible for the books and other materials that they borrow from the library media centers. In her K-2 library media center, the author sends friendly letters home at the beginning of the school term informing the parents that they and their child are…

As one natural disaster after another seemed to define the year 2005, library workers across the nation generously donated money, materials, and labor to help victims and damaged institutions recover. Some librarians donated to specific institutions, while others donated to more general charities. Many worried about media reports of fraudulent…