To some, discussing the demise of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system is tantamount to blasphemy, while to others it is a discussion long overdue (no pun intended). The author was asked, as an educator of librarians, to present her thoughts on the issue. Her conclusions are based not on thorough scientifically sound research, but rather…

It was early March 2008, and the author was only a few months from finishing her third year as an elementary school librarian. During the morning recess the school library was humming with the sounds of students. Suddenly, three students rushed in asking the author to help them find a silent-reading book for class. Looking at the clock and seeing…

Traditionally, school librarians have had two main strategies for impacting the literacy development of students in their schools. One way is through reading promotion efforts: book talks, book displays, or online book trailers, and literacy events such as book fairs, contests, and reading incentive programs. The other way has been through…

In this article St. Vrain Valley (CO) School District (SVVSD) librarian, Holli Buchter describes what took place in the school libraries in the district when the newest elementary school, Red Hawk, opened its doors. Red Hawk asked and answered the question: "Is the Dewey Decimal Classification system still the best way for students to locate…

This report is intended for use as a selection aid covering newly published materials from selected publishers. Reviews are prepared by school library media specialists in Oklahoma. Each entry provides the recommended grade and interest levels, as well as a rating. Also included for each book is a brief story synopsis. Reviews for fiction books…

Describes a high school library "stress collection" of 125 fiction and nonfiction titles dealing with issues teens may experience and provides brief annotations for a number of these resources. Topics covered include academic and other anxieties, crises, dropouts, drugs and alcohol, families, health, illness and death, pregnancy, sexual…

Includes seven articles that discuss censorship and intellectual freedom in junior and senior high schools. Highlights include access to appropriate information; library material selection; dealing with complaints; a list of potentially controversial titles and topics; a history of book burning; the censorship of fiction; weeding versus…

This resource, designed to help school library media specialists select the most exciting, curriculum-related literature for teachers and students in grades 5-9, contains approximately 300 contemporary and classic fiction and non-fiction titles selected on the basis of the quality of writing, interest level, appropriateness of illustration (if…