The idea of "reading the room" borrowed from the business world applies to how school library professionals can identify and responsively meet the needs of users. By stepping up to do work even when it is not requested, and yet in alignment with our mission, we can help sustain our library programs.

The School Libraries in South Australia: 2024 Census offers a snapshot of the current state, challenges, and evolving roles of school libraries and their staffing in South Australia. Conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) at the behest of the School Library Association of South Australia (SLASA), this census builds…

Catalyst: Another newspaper article ("Ranks of School Librarians Dwindle in HISD, Statewide" in the October 7, 2013, "Houston Chronicle") detailing another decision by a Houston Independent School District (HISD) campus principal to eliminate the librarian (Mellon 2013). In response to this article, Dorcas Hand, an experienced…

There is no national policy for school libraries which compels school governing bodies and principals to have a library in their schools. It is thus not surprising that in 2011, only 21% of state schools had libraries, only 7% had stocked libraries and 79% of schools had no library at all (Department of Basic Education (DBE) Republic of South…

This paper presents selected key findings of the first phase of a multiphase research study commissioned by the New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) in 2009 and undertaken by the Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The overall research agenda seeks: (a) to…

This study is centered on the utilization of secondary school libraries by teachers and students in Idah Local Government Council of Kogi State. A survey method was adopted for the study with questionnaire constructed, validated and used for the collection of data related to the research questions formulated to guide the study. The population of…

Discusses the trend toward the provision of educational services by special libraries. Examples of educational services provided by law libraries, health and science libraries, and corporate libraries are reviewed, new educational formats are described, and factors that should influence the decision to provide educational services are identified.…

This annotated guide to resources on library and information science education in developing countries includes materials on library schools, training and education of library staff, and the progress of libraries in specific countries. Materials in the guide were selected from the indexes of Library Literature, Library and Information Science…

Discusses the need for adequate staffing in rural public libraries to meet expanded information needs. Topics include libraries' changing roles in the community to meet future information needs, the difference between training and education, and the development of distance education programs by library schools for professional continuing…

Media centers have been transformed from warehouses for books and equipment into the hub of the learning community. Media specialists keep the hub functioning properly. If school library media specialists are doing their job well, they are making a difference in the ways teachers teach and in the ways students learn. On any given day, a media…

During the last decade, research has become increasingly important to the profession of librarianship. Seven library schools now have doctoral programs, foundation grants have stimulated and supported scores of major projects, and the research method has been recognized as an accepted technique for solving library problems. The increasing volume…

Describes the supportive role of the modern elementary school library. Explains how librarians can enrich classroom activities, promote reading, and provide options to the school and the community. Describes the duties of librarians and the administrative attitudes necessary for a successful library. (SB)

Summarizes findings from a study that investigated the impact of school library media centers on academic achievement. Findings in the following areas are presented: size of the resource center staff and collection; qualifications of staff; duties of the teacher-librarian, including the instructional role; collaboration with classroom teachers;…

Provides an overview of school library development in Great Britain and the United States and discusses five factors that have facilitated or retarded school library development in each country: standards, staffing and certification, government support, rationale for school libraries, and professional organizations. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the role of the school librarian in East African countries and the information needs of a school community. The extent to which the role of a school librarian in East Africa is realized in the areas of financial support, library programs and policies, and staffing is discussed. (11 references) (MES)