Background & context: Inspired by the nature-cultures of belonging from Black hair care, we conducted a design experiment to bridge computer science (CS) education, urban gardening, and cosmetology in a culturally responsive computing (CRC) library program. Objective: The design was oriented around a small-scale aquaponics system to grow mint…

Students look to their school library to find new books, seek information, creatively solve problems, and use technology. School libraries play an essential role in students' academic growth and development of lifelong learning skills. All of the wonderful resources and services that school libraries provide are easily accessible to the population…

Current national and international research indicates the summer break can negatively affect students' reading achievement. To counter this effect, our primary school with a range of students worked in collaboration with our local public library to plan and implement a summer reading programme. The purpose of the programme was to increase…

Since passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to educate students with disabilities in the "least restrictive environment" (Hopkins 2005), i.e., to the maximum extent possible with their non-disabled peers (Myhill 2004). School libraries are required to…

Based on the findings of a recent three-year study by Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, the authors can confirm what many librarians have long suspected: students who take part in their local library's summer reading program significantly improve their reading skills. This article describes the results of…

Issues 256 through 265 of "Fast Facts" from the Library Research Service present data collected from libraries in Colorado and throughout the nation. Topics addressed in these "Fast Facts" from 2008 include computer usage by public library patrons, Colorado summer reading programs, children's' use of public libraries, and the…

A collection of three articles presents three programs public librarians have created and implemented to engage the vitality and enthusiasm of young people together with library resources: (1) a summer reading club and "archeological dig"; (2) a young adult mystery festival; and (3) young adults socializing with seniors. (Author/JMV)

There is abundant evidence that schools with strong reading programs have successful students. But building strong reading skills is a complex task, particularly by the time students reach the middle grades. A survey was conducted that involved all Indiana middle grades schools in May 2009. Two types of data analysis were utilized in preparing the…

Although many foresee the end of books with the rise of computers, there are good reasons to believe that books will survive, including their permanence, their value as historical records, and ergonomics. Librarians should continue to sponsor summer reading programs and book groups, serve as reader advisors, and prepare and post book lists. (PEN)

The main insight given by this study of summer reading lists is that what students are assigned to read has more to do with individual teachers' beliefs and knowledge than any concrete practice. Teachers who make summer readings lists seem to be divided somewhat equally between focus on cultural literacy and desire to create lifelong learners.…

This national library training institute examines the concept of ethnicity in its relation to librarianship, and deals with the major ethnic groups in addition to the traditional minorities. Sharp differences are noted among the various groups that attended the three-week intensive institute. There is a reluctance to accept the complaints of the…

This submission presents twelve issues of Fast Facts from the Library Research Service covering various aspects of Colorado libraries. Each issue focuses on statistics related to academic, public, and/or school libraries. Titles include: Colorado Public Libraries and the 2004 November Elections; Pricing Trends for Public Library Print Materials;…

This manual provides the librarian with information necessary to conduct the summer children's reading program of the South Carolina State Library. The 1992 "Read, Explore and Discover" theme was chosen to reflect an emphasis on the heritage of the state. Activities, programs, and displays highlight the various natural features of South…