This paper discusses the problems and difficulties faced by school libraries in the United Kingdom (UK), specifically England and Wales. These problems are lack of funding, lack of a central role in the curriculum, lack of a central role in the management structure, and inadequate staffing. Lack of library funding stems from overall under-funding…

In order to shed further light on the state of the public school library today, a study was conducted to identify major trends in school libraries and to gain perspective on the critical issues facing school library media specialists in the coming decade. A secondary objective of the study was to uncover the attitudes and awareness level of…

Helpful hints are provided to keep the library media specialist visible, expand resources, identify constituencies and resources, and keep the library from being taken for granted. Library media specialists must recognize that they are faced with a kaleidoscope of constituencies, beyond students and teachers, in local businesses, parents, school…

This statistical analysis report from the National Center for Education Statistics examines the current state of school libraries in the United States and how they have changed. The primary source of data in this report is the 1993-94 Library Survey, the first federally sponsored survey of library media centers and head librarians in elementary…

This digest examines changes that are involved in an elementary school library media program when the school's instructional methods move from a basic skills to a whole language approach. These changes are discussed in terms of three curricular foci--theme studies, process writing, and literature-based reading--and new demands that are placed on…

The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) conducted an open forum May 4-5, 1993 on the changing role of the federal government in support of library and information services and literacy programs for children and youth. The following topics were addressed: current status of library and information services for…

This packet of materials was developed by the members of a joint task force of librarians from school, public, and college libraries in Ohio as a means of facilitating closer cooperation in defining library instructional goals and activities. It begins with a discussion of the need for such cooperation and suggested roles for classroom teachers…

This conference report contains 32 presented papers: "Talking Books for Children in Sweden in Libraries and Schools" (L. Bergman); "At-Risk Students: How Do School (Library) Systems Respond?" (G. R. Brown); "Providing School Library Services to Immigrant Populations" (K. W. Craver); "Bibliographic Aids for School…

The Educational Priorities Panel (EPP) conducted a mail survey of New York City school library staff, a telephone survey of community school districts, and an analysis of budget and payroll data for library services. Additionally, two member agencies, the Citizen's Committee for Children and the Women's City Club, undertook a cooperative study on…

A library media center-initiated social studies project with an interdisciplinary approach and direct participation by the librarian in classroom activities strengthened cooperation between librarians and teachers, provided a better understanding of curricular needs for the librarian, and helped teachers appreciate the librarian's role as a…

The first part of a two-part review of research related to school library media collections summarizes studies with implications for budgets and collection size, the selection process, collection policies, and the librarian as censor. A table compares data on holdings and expenditures for schools providing high-level library service with national…

Discusses the need for public education reform; alternative learning environments that allow for experiential, self-paced learning; home schooling; community change, including microcommunities; and a new role for library media specialists as learning resource generalists, to help children and adults meet information needs. (LRW)

Rapid changes in technology and the skills needed to compete successfully in the workforce will necessitate higher standards in education, especially in the ability to acquire, organize, and use information. Library media specialists must play a significant role in providing information access, storage, dissemination, and instruction for students.…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Southern Mississippi to examine the attitudes of professors of educational administration toward school library media program information in school principal preparation programs. Characteristics of the professors are discussed, and the influence of guidelines contained in "Information…

Discusses the changing role of the school library media specialist based on guidelines and recommendations in "Information Power." Topics discussed include empowerment; current training and education for librarians; continuing professional growth and development; facilitating student learning by working with teachers; information…