Reviews four articles from the "Phi Delta Kappan" that describe the educational context impacting the school library media profession. Topics covered include the educational system from the viewpoint of the National Commission on Excellence in Education report "A Nation at Risk"; strengths and weaknesses of American education;…

Includes nine articles that suggest ways to improve communication in junior and senior high school libraries. Highlights include how to communicate effectively with principals and other administrators, students, teachers and other staff members, and the community; types of information that administrators need; annual reports; newsletters; and…

Describes activities of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) that were conducted at the annual conference in Belfast (Northern Ireland), including the keynote address on managing school library change; talks about and tours of Belfast schools; professional awards; IASL objectives; board members; and future plans. (LRW)

Discussion of program advocacy in schools focuses on the role of the teacher-librarian in cooperation with the classroom teacher and the principal. A program in Ontario called "Partners in Action" is described; leadership skills are discussed; and program advocacy strategies are suggested at the school and system levels. (Contains 10…

Describes how to use storytelling in elementary education to teach the Big6 research process. Strategies for implementation are presented, including modifying a story, writing a story based on the curriculum connection, and using puppets. (LRW)

Discusses the need for graduate principal-preparation programs to include information about school libraries based on a survey of programs, as well as telephone interviews. A three-step plan for change is outlined, including a curriculum for principal-preparation programs, suggestions for practicing principals, and steps library media specialists…

In a time of unprecedented information growth and rapid social change, the school library program should shift from collecting resources to developing a community of learners. The Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning should help students become lifelong learners, think critically and ethically, and develop social responsibility. (10…

Provides reasons for using dome architecture in building educational facilities and describes the development of two such dome facilities in Arizona: a pre-kindergarten through Grade 8 multipurpose facility for Native-American students, and a school library and parent center. Highlights the facilities' interior-design features and some cost…

Examines motivational strategies used by library media specialists (LMSs) in library and information skills instruction, and the resulting on- and off-task behaviors of students. Results indicate that LMSs use mostly attention-focusing strategies, middle school LMSs utilize more strategies than elementary LMSs, and extrinsic motivators are more…

Highlights the major professional and personal competencies necessary for teacher-librarians that were developed by the Association for Teacher-Librarianship in Canada (ATLC) and the Canadian School Library Association (CSLA). Topics include the role of the teacher-librarian, impact on school culture and student achievement, collaboration with…

Considers options for school libraries addressing the dilemma of protecting both children and intellectual freedom when searching the Internet. Discusses censorware, filtering, monitoring, and blocking; reviews 11 filtering or monitoring software packages currently available; and concludes that adult supervision is still the most effective method…

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)

Discussion of free speech on the Internet focuses on three basic options open to schools trying to resolve the dilemma of protecting children while preserving intellectual freedom: commercial censorware, blocking, and filtering. Concludes that adult supervision is still the most effective means of regulating access to the Internet. (LRW)

Discusses the guidelines for school library media programs in "Information Power" and explains the new Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Topics include independent learning, social responsibility, performance indicators, and the roles of the library media specialist. (LRW)

Describes how to develop vertical file resources for school libraries. Discusses the importance of having primary sources that are not available in other formats; sources for obtaining materials, including the Internet and printed sources; how to organize the materials; providing access; and promoting the collection. (LRW)