Discusses the importance of family literacy. Highlights include daily reading at home before children go to school; the home/school connection; examples of successful programs implemented by school library media specialists; and ideas from the National Center for Family Literacy for starting family literacy programs, including community needs,…

Discusses the role of the school librarian in teaching technology use to students and teachers. Topics include introducing the Internet to teachers; locating information on the Web; evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing information; applying information skills; and Internet implementation issues. (LRW)

Discusses the value of having a good library media-center newsletter that ensures consistent positive visibility and suggests topics to consider, including requesting teacher input on collection development, explaining computer software, book talks, copyright issues, current Web sites, biographies of new teachers, and media-center projects. (LRW)

Suggests strategies for school librarians to build a power base and become involved with the teachers and students. Highlights include surveying teachers regarding their needs and then responding with bibliographies of resources and flexible lesson plans, joining planning teams and committees, and encouraging student use of the library. (LRW)

Examines how libraries can encourage and increase youth access to information. Discusses the role of the school library media center; law, illegal information, and censorship; parental rights; information policy; and promoting youth access before a challenge occurs in the library. (AEF)

This special section includes five articles that discuss public relations strategies for school librarians. Highlights include effective communication, including measuring and evaluating the success of public relations efforts; Web-based public relations; giving bookmarks to students; customers and cultural contexts; and successful job…

Lists projects that parent volunteers can do in elementary school libraries in the areas of computers, audiovisuals, reading programs, helping students, special-needs students, clerical, arts and crafts, parent representation in various areas, and community projects. (LRW)

Discusses how to plan for a new school library media center or renovate an existing facility. Highlights include the importance of a planning team; the role of the architect; brainstorming, including instructional needs, patron services, library administration, and technology infrastructure; site visits to other media centers; and needs…

Describes Infoquest, a game of research questions that can be answered in a school library media center that was developed to increase student use of the media center. Discusses increased use by teachers, parent participation, and includes a master list of questions and answers as well as print and Internet sources. (LRW)

Offers suggestions for designing a flexible schedule for an elementary school library media center. Discusses book check-out times; classroom collaboration and coordination projects; read-aloud and storytimes; information literacy or research projects; library director planning time; special activities; and maintenance and record keeping. (LRW)

Describes the development of a yearlong plan to increase student reading in an elementary school media center. Discusses the involvement of families in literacy programs; extending services of the media center; community involvement, including readings by community leaders; students writing and publishing their own books; and reading clubs. (LRW)

Discusses the school librarian's role in helping to develop students' reading motivation. Topics include the importance of feedback; providing time to read, perhaps as a reward; adequate access to books; flexible schedules for library time; reading aloud; book-discussion groups; family involvement; and using older students as tutors. (LRW)