This paper examines the belief that no more than half of the public school libraries in the state of Ohio are automated to any degree. The purpose of the research was to determine the degree and nature of automation at the public school libraries in Ohio. A written survey was mailed to 350 libraries that represented a randomized sample of the…

Describes the renovation of the Horace Greeley High School library (Chappaqua, New York). Discusses initial planning; costs; teachers' use of the library; new technology and the blending of print resources; and the appeal of the facility for students. Sidebars highlight the lighting design and renovation goals for the media specialist and…

Discusses the appropriateness of applying diffusion theory to the study of five factors that influence school library development globally: (1) the evolution of, acceptance of, and consensus on a viable service-delivery model; (2) influence exercised by professional organizations; (3) generation of acceptable standards; (4) overt government…

Describes the Barkestorp Project that investigated the teaching and learning process for Swedish elementary school children after libraries had been introduced into the curriculum. Highlights include planning by principals, teachers, and librarians; the librarian's role; cooperation between teachers and librarians; student behavior; library…

Provides guidelines for purchasing and installing CD-ROM technology in school libraries. Considerations include hardware and software selection and familiarity with new products. Two lists are provided that contain contact information for six companies and recommendations for six standard CD-ROM reference sources to include on a network. (JKP)

Practical advice to help librarians prepare for and face challenges to the content of their library collections includes suggestions for developing selection policies and networks of support, as well as a recommended course of action for librarians in the event of a challenge. (MAB)

Discussion of joint-use, or cooperative, libraries focuses on a partnership between public and school libraries in Nevada. Highlights include benefits in enhanced services, user needs, location of facilities, administration and planning, financial issues, facility maintenance, remodelling, and signage. (LRW)

Discussion of planning for automation in school libraries focuses on plans in the North Kitsap (Washington) School District. Highlights include selection of microcomputer-based hardware and software to support local area and wide area networks; a circulation system and an online public access catalog (OPAC); and database creation and retrospective…

Describes the process of building a new media center at Crestige South Elementary School in Centerview, Missouri. Discusses fund-raising efforts of the parent-teacher organization, the floor plan drawn up by the library media specialist, and the construction. Provides suggestions for rural school-library media specialists and school patrons for…

Discusses the planning process for migrating to a new library media center automation system, including identification of the need to migrate, solicitation of stakeholder support, enumeration of required attributes of a new system, writing the Request for Proposal (RFP), and maximizing vendor demonstrations. (MES)

Explains how the relationship between school library collection development, curriculum development, and information problem solving can be improved by applying the Big6 Skills process to the selection of materials and teacher collaboration. Includes charts for cooperative planning that follow the Big6 Skills. (Contains 3 references.) (LRW)

Describes strategic planning efforts in eight states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin) to implement guidelines in "Information Power" (1998, American Library Association) relating good school library media programs to student achievement success. Discusses Web pages; state conferences;…

Describes a cooperative project between several year-round elementary schools in Indianapolis (Indiana) to promote reading, based on the National Education Association's campaign using Dr. Seuss books. Discusses planning with library media specialists, activities that included writing about reading, volunteers and funding, and evaluation. (LRW)

Discusses the importance of marketing library media programs to school boards and school district administrators. Suggests aligning library goals with district goals; hosting district board meetings; designing flyers to promote library services; developing library newsletters; annual reports that highlights achievements; networking; formal…

This handbook is designed to help Iowa library media specialists, teachers, and administrators develop quality library media programs. The first section summarizes the roles and responsibilities of the library media program. This is followed by a section that addresses personnel issues, including guidelines for professional and support staff; the…