"Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs (American Association of School Librarians, 2009) continues to support the four original roles of the school librarian identified in "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning" (American Association of School Librarians/Association for Educational Communication and…

This digest brings together the various views on curriculum-related roles for library media specialists. The first section considers reasons why a disparity between theory and practice exists in regard to the involvement of library media specialists as curriculum consultants. Several sources addressing this issue are reviewed in the second…

The leadership role of the library media specialist is very important because it enhances the achievement level of the students. Information Power, Building Partnerships for Learning encourages library media specialists to be members of the leadership team, organize learning opportunities for members of the learning community, develop curriculum…

A study was undertaken to determine what type of curriculum leadership roles school librarians were exerting in the nation's nineteenth largest school district, the Clark County Public Schools of Nevada. A 15-item questionnaire was mailed to 75 Clark County School District librarians; responses were received from 59 libraries (79%). Following a…

An elementary school librarian initiated a survey of school librarians in Arizona to discover how they dealt with problems in scheduling classes in their media centers and developing curriculum to teach library skills. Results were used to support proposed changes to provide more flexible scheduling and increase teacher/librarian cooperation. (EM)

Examines the evolution of the Whole Language curriculum, its current theory and practices, and its effect on the school library media center. The similarity between Whole Language and the Montessori approach to literacy is discussed, and the role of the media specialist in a Whole Language library media center is described. (31 references) (LRW)

Examples of school library media activities that illustrate instructional involvement currently taking place in various parts of the nation are classified according to David Loertscher's taxonomy. (CHC)

A survey was developed in 1984 by the Pennsylvania School Library Media Service Division to evaluate the status of state mandated school library media programs. The survey instrument was mailed to 1,923 (out of a possible 3,487) schools to the attention of the 1,963 school librarians; the response rate was approximately 67% (1,336). This report on…

Suggests activities for use by school library media specialists who wish to foster the development of thinking skills by elementary students. Areas covered include analysis and evaluation in choosing books, differentiation between fact and fiction, understanding story structure, contests, categories, analogies, self-generated questions,…

This discussion of the political implications of implementing programs that develop students' critical thinking skills uses the proposals developed by Mancall, Aaron, and Walker as a model. Highlights include marketing the model, extending it to include library instruction in literature, implementing it in teaching reference and research skills,…

In the age of ever-growing technological advancements library media centers have become places of enormous discovery and adventure. But are teachers and administrators aware of all the resources available through the school library media centers? Do they know the importance that library media specialists play in the school curriculum planning?…

Offers ten suggestions for developing the role of library media centers and media specialists within schools that center around improved communication with teachers, administrators and the public, involvement with curriculum decisions, familiarity with library materials, increased promotion of the media center, and professional development. (CLB)

This article highlights the importance of librarians joining the secondary school instructional planning process at the curriculum development stage and demonstrates how librarians and teachers can jointly plan instructional programs. Discussion covers implementation of guidelines, curriculum involvement, and six challenges. Fifty-eight references…

This 11-item annotated bibliography deals with two issues that are inextricably bound: idea that school librarians/media specialists are curriculum consultants and that the school library/media center is the support center for the curriculum. Peripheral issues include the professional preparation of school librarians and library skills that…

Describes ICONnect, an online project developed through the American Association of School Librarians to help school librarians, teachers, students, and parents use the Internet effectively. Services of ICONnect are explained and new roles for librarians are discussed. (LRW)