Describes programs developed by the Chicago School District to renovate and revitalize its school libraries. Topics include funding, other educational reforms in the district, updating library collections, updating librarians' skills, increasing budgets through grants, flexible scheduling, corporate support, relations with the Chicago Public…

Over the past 20 years, academic collection development specialists have dealt with changes, brought about by decreasing purchasing power and the growing importance of electronic resources. Throughout, collection managers have rethought their efforts and revised criteria for selection of materials in new formats while maintaining traditional…

This book provides an understanding of the history and development of school library media programming. The readings present both personal and objective perspectives on this topic. Contributors address not only the mission of the school library media program, but also how its realization has shaped and been shaped by professional organizations;…

Describes cooperative planning and projects with teachers, students, and the library media specialist at an elementary school to help update the library to meet current and future information needs. Highlights include flexible scheduling; resource sharing; classes in library skills; computer technology; and updating the collection to include…

To carry out their roles as information providers, instructional consultants, and teachers, school library media professionals must demonstrate competence in at least five specific functions, including communication, collection management, organization, administration, and instructional leadership. Principals need to understand school libraries'…

Describes a study that examined whether school library media specialists engage in self-censorship as part of the collection development process with regard to young adult literature having content that significantly increases the probability that the materials will be challenged. Explains the research method of searching Texas high school OPACs…

This annotated bibliography of library media collection selection sources includes: (1) an annotated bibliography of selection sources; (2) a list of selection tools (in both book and periodical form) for elementary, middle, and secondary schools; (3) a list of bibliographies in specialized subject areas (art; career planning; computers; early…

Describes the extent to which professional activity of library and information professionals is evident in the management of digital collections. Analyzes the digital collections of 11 randomly selected public libraries to determine patterns of professional practice, such as collection development or organization and representation of digital…

Presents thought from school library media specialists regarding collection development. Topics include first-year experiences; the importance of cataloging; selection criteria; selection sources; and weeding. (LRW)

Discusses ways in which media specialists and media center administrators structure their tasks and responsibilities in the areas of equipment purchasing; collection building, especially content-relevant videotapes and videodiscs; copyright considerations; and the repair of equipment. (LRW)

Discusses library collection development by school library media specialists and describes selection sources for new books and materials; retrospective selection sources for materials published in preceding years; and an acquisition source. Provides an overview of the selection process and includes 10 suggestions for selection. (LRW)

Presents information on government publications for school library media specialists, notes problems, and identifies selection aids. Topics include: the "Monthly Catalog" on CD-ROM, the Superintendent of Documents Classification System, GPO bookstores and depository libraries, how to purchase and promote the use of government…

Comments on the research finding that the personal convictions of the teacher-librarian about what is made available to secondary school students are more influential in the censorship of school library materials than external pressures to censor by school and community members. (six references) (MAB)

Describes a public library service that offers booktalks to middle school students in their classrooms and includes two sample booktalks. Discusses building good relationships with teachers and library media specialists; circulation statistics; ordering enough copies of books for the school and the public library; scheduling booktalks; teen…

Overview of the new guidelines for school library media programs developed cooperatively by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology reviews issues such as information studies curriculum, planning, media specialist roles, personnel, and information resources. (MES)