Presents a cognitive model that provides a user-centered perspective of the information retrieval process and confirms the problematic nature of online library catalogs for children. Related research is reviewed, and it is concluded that developing children's thinking skills will help them search for information. (71 references) (Author/LRW)

Discusses new guidelines for the library media profession developed by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Highlights include the standards and behavior indicators at the core of the guidelines; Web page accessibility; and benefits for library media…

Presents six curriculum guides for reading, language arts, science, and social studies. Each activity identifies library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, librarian and teacher instructional roles, activity and procedures for completion, activity samples, guidelines for evaluating finished activities, and…

This article is an annotated bibliography of research related to school library media programs found from ERIC and Dissertation Abstracts in 1996-97. Areas of research include reading, roles and relationships, intellectual freedom and social responsibilities, information literacy, staff development, and student achievement. (PEN)

Describes library media specialists' efforts to implement technology in schools in Alaska, Minnesota and Florida. Discusses obstacles and challenges to implementation in other schools, including budget cuts; time pressures and responsibility overload; and friction between technology coordinators and instructional specialists, and teachers and…

Providing rich supply of high-interest story books is more feasible policy for literacy education than urgent exhortations to improve teacher quality. Free reading profoundly improves students' reading and writing ability, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. The quality of a country s or state's school libraries significantly predicts its reading…

Benefits for including popular culture resources in the school library resource center and classroom are that they provide entrees for communication and teaching; baselines of student knowledge; abundant and popular resources; opportunities for teaching critical thinking skills; and diversity. Discusses how teacher librarians can choose the most…

Presents leadership tips for school library media specialists. Highlights include public speaking, developing goals and objectives, media/curriculum coordination techniques, negotiating skills, stress management techniques, and time management techniques. (AEF)

Presents tips and suggestions for installing computer hardware and related equipment in school libraries. Highlights include cabling and wiring set-up; temperature control and lighting; hardware placement that allows for safety and supervision; spatial and furniture considerations for hardware stations; equipment storage; and security. (AEF)

Families need to become involved with their children's development of information literacy skills. Statistics on television and home computer ownership and online access for families and schools are presented, and resources that school library media specialists can use to promote family involvement are described. (AEF)

With teaching, shelving books, and ordering and processing materials, one media specialist found it increasingly hard to meet the hardware and software needs of staff and students. Describes how she implemented a program for employing students in grades 4-6 to provide simple maintenance for educational technology. Discusses task determination,…

Includes seven lists of cooperative library organizations; national libraries and information industry associations in the United States and Canada; state, provincial, and regional library associations in the United States and Canada; state and provincial library agencies; state school library media associations; international library…

Discussion of the mission and roles of library media programs and teacher-librarians focuses on promoting books and reading, through which students become effective users of ideas. Highlights include reading proficiency; reading advocacy options; motivation approaches, including the ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) model;…

Includes 15 articles that relate to Canadian children's literature, including the power of literature; using Canadian literature in Canada; the principal's role in promoting literacy; Canadian Children's Book Centre; the National Library of Canada's children's literature collection; book promotion; selection guide; publisher's perspective; and…

Explains the use of Web-based software for communication between classroom teachers and school library media specialists. Discusses threaded discussion forums; experiences using that forum by the AASL (American Association of School Librarians) at the American Library Association (ALA) preconference; and forum software. (LRW)