Describes experiences of a librarian who participated in the World Library Partnership to volunteer in a South African elementary school library during a summer. Discusses classroom teaching techniques; library technical processes; training library staff and teachers; student workers; story times; library instruction; and library policy. (LRW)

Addresses the issue of student access to inappropriate materials on the Internet. Topics discussed include school library policies; the role of parents; public library concerns; access to information; and a sample technical code of conduct for high schools. (seven references) (LRW)

Presents a strategy for completing a library media center policy review, from evaluating existing policies through submitting policies to the school board for approval. Special attention is paid to issues related to the use of new technologies in middle and high school library media centers, including student/faculty technology use, circulation,…

Discusses the library media program for the Duneland (Indiana) school district, two-time winner of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Library Media Program of the year Award, 1973 and 1993. Highlights personnel, staff development, budgets, student access, library collections, technology, Internet and filtering policies,…

This study sought to determine the extent of restrictive access to books in Georgia school library media centers and to discover by whose authority and for what reason these books might be placed on restrictive shelves. Questionnaires were completed and received from a stratified random sampling of 119 media specialists in high schools, middle or…

This document contains 12 brief discussions of library-related topics with emphasis on school library media centers, which were originally published by the Iowa Department of Public Instruction (DPI) or the Iowa Department of Education (DE). These "Quick Notes" appear under the following headings: (1) "A Bill of Rights for the…

Describes a survey which answers the questions of who challenged what, why, and with what results in the school and public libraries of Manitoba from 1982-1984. Library censorship policies, how often they are followed, the response of the news media, and the difference between selection and censorship are discussed. (EM)

Discusses Web sites operated by extremist groups and considers how school library media specialists can educate students about hate groups and teach strategies to recognize inappropriate sites. Topics include critical thinking; limiting access through filters; developing Web access policies; and creating computer use agreements. (LRW)

Discusses the national curriculum in the United Kingdom and its impact on secondary school libraries. Highlights include the national curriculum and the management of schools and the responses of librarians, including management structures, library policy, communication strategies, library facilities and equipment, library collections, and staff…

This survey of public secondary schools examined factors that affected the outcome (i.e., retention, restriction, or removal) of censorship challenges to library materials. Factors found to influence outcome included oral versus written challenges, materials selection policy use, school environment, community environment, and media specialist…

For many years, there has been pressure on American schools to restrict or deny students access to books or periodicals deemed objectionable by some individual or group on moral, political, religious, ethnic, racial, or philosophical grounds. Censorship of library books in school media centers is present today. The library media specialist is…

Describes the publication of the American Library Association's new school library media program guidelines and standards, "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning." Discussion includes the library mission; the constant state of evolution of the library and information services profession; and the importance of standards.…

Discusses teenage pregnancy and sexuality and suggests ways in which librarians can help provide access to appropriate and needed information. Highlights include developing policies and procedures for dealing with sexual issues, collection development, organizing information and making it accessible, and a brief teen pregnancy bibliography. (LRW)

Discusses the formulation and findings of a nationwide survey which focused on materials selections concerns of school media centers: (1) whether a materials selection policy exists that is approved by the school board; (2) number of library media specialists; (3) whether library media specialists feel external pressure regarding materials…

Focuses on the issue of ethical use of the Internet in schools, and suggests that by devising and implementing acceptable use policies, and providing students with a set of ethical guidelines, schools and libraries can deal with the situation before it becomes a problem. Discusses and the need for parents to be included in policy formation and to…