The general public and decision makers, as well as users, must be aware of programs designed to meet clearly defined user needs if library media centers are to develop and gain continued support in the face of spiraling inflation and public reaction to increased taxes. (VT)

Collaboration by several school and library associations has resulted in a decision to adopt new job titles, job descriptions, and facility names. Reasons for this change are discussed and some insight into the process is provided by commentary from interviews. (JKP)

Discusses challenges facing the school library media profession during the next decade and the response needed to ensure that the profession continues to exist. The lack of attention to the role of media specialists in the aftermath of "A Nation at Risk" and the role articulated in "Information Power" are described. (KRN)

Over 5 million students aged 6 to 21 received services under the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)" during the 2000-2001 school year. In partial response to this growing population of diverse learners, the relatively recent and highly controversial "No Child Left Behind (NCLB)" legislation has served as a…

Discusses the changing role of the school library media specialist. Highlights include the impact of an increase in job complexity and decreases in library funding; strategies for delegating; circulation; equipment operation; and empowering teachers. A sidebar lists 11 different perspectives of the media specialist's role. (11 references) (KRN)

Discusses the importance of fostering learning communities in today's school reform movement and the potential role of the school library media specialist as a leader in building collaborative networks with classroom teachers. Highlights include a comparison of traditional and collaborative models; linking collaboration and leadership; and…

Discusses problems confronting school library media centers, including a lack of telephones for computer network access, a lack of professional personnel, and a lack of flexible scheduling. It is suggested that leadership roles, as well as membership in local and national organizations, are necessary to address these issues. (LRW)

Widespread instructional development (ID) activity in school media centers will remain more an ideal than a reality until school media specialists are knowledgeable in instructional development processes, are convinced that instructional development leads to optimum integration of media resources and instruction, and make instructional development…

Discusses changes in the role of the elementary school library media specialist. Highlights include cooperation with classroom teachers and administrators; the role of the school principal; actions to initiate change; structuring research for students' success; and sample library instructional activities. (LRW)

Arguing that the principal is a major player in any phase of educational change, this paper describes the principal's critical role in planning for change in a library media center. The paper is divided into three sections. In Section 1 the first of the two major phases of planning for change is described. It is noted that during this "initiation"…

This paper examines "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media" ("Guidelines"), a key document published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) that proposes changes in school library media development in the United States and…

Cooperative planning and teaching techniques between classroom teacher and teacher-librarian constitute an effective method for teacher-librarian to be more directly involved in instructional process. Teacher-librarians must use interpersonal skills to overcome negative perceptions about their role before they can sell their service. Specific…

Discusses methodologies for school improvement and suggests that teacher-librarians should assume a leadership role in helping teachers and students become successful consumers of information. Topics include the quality movement; using the corporate world as a model; attitudes to change; strategic planning; continual improvement; lifelong…

This paper discusses the need for developing provincial/state, regional, and district partnerships to provide critical support for library media programs at the building level. It maintains that the experts who provide leadership at each level must be strong advocates for the integration of the library media program into all aspects of the…

Discusses the process of future search conferences and describes one held to consider the future of school library media centers and information services in the state of Washington. Highlights include participation by students, librarians, teachers, administrators, and others; strategic and participatory planning; and change processes. (LRW)