With their explosive sales and widespread availability over the past few years, e-books have definitively proven that they're here to stay. In this sequel to her best-selling book of the same title, expert Polanka dives even deeper into the world of digital distribution. Contributors from across the e-book world offer their perspectives on what's…

A school librarian may or may not have access to the same students on a daily basis as would a teacher. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. Often, students are drawn to those who are not their "teacher," and a bond is naturally formed. In other instances, students may not seek this bond. Either way, a school librarian can reach out to…

To thrive, a successful school library program needs active participation from all members of its community. As an instructional leader, the school librarian must be the one to raise the bar, not just informing other educators about resources and services, but empowering all adults to become engaged in the school library program. For example,…

School library media specialists have seen more fundamental changes in their jobs and in their roles within their schools than any other group of education professionals. The author started her first job as a school librarian when there were no desktop computers, and card catalogs were the order of the day. Over the course of the thirty-seven…

Which potato chip is healthiest: (1) regular; (2) baked; or (3) sour cream and onion? This problem requires critical and numerical skills in order to read and compare nutrition labels. The question has applications in mathematics and science classrooms but also in teachers' lounges and school cafeterias. It is a problem that addresses the five…

To assume the role of technology leaders and information literacy specialists in their schools, librarians need access to the most current information. And, they do this by helping each other. There are many definitions, but professional learning networks (PLNs) involve sharing work-related ideas with a network of colleagues via various digital…

Harmony Middle School educators recently undertook a project that combined poetry and real-service action for students. The students worked with a published poet and wrote beautiful poems and then blogged with art students in the district. The art students made ceramic bowls that represented the poems. The combined project was done for True Light,…

Colorado school librarians are in the midst of a crisis. According to a 2009-2010 survey of public schools in Colorado, just 23% of elementary schools have an endorsed librarian, while 37% of middle schools and 32% of high schools report having an endorsed librarian. This report also shows how these percentages have dropped in just a two-year…

This paper presents selected key findings of the first phase of a multiphase research study commissioned by the New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) in 2009 and undertaken by the Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The overall research agenda seeks: (a) to…

Describes and evaluates an experimental computer-assisted instruction program for teaching the Dewey decimal classification portion of an introductory cataloging course. (LS)

Based on observations made during a 1979-80 study trip, this paper presents a critical view of academic librarianship and libraries in India, emphasizing issues confronting the library profession and its ability to fulfill library objectives in a developing nation. It is noted that modern India is a society closely tied to tradition while at the…

A course which investigates the nature and social functions of the contemporary popular culture as disseminated by the mass media and the relationship between the popular culture and the library is described. Forty-six references are given. (Author/PF)

Because of the important role music plays in the lives of young adults, the graduate education of young adult librarians should include a study of the music and the musical behavior of young adults. A formal course might include reviews of research in these areas: (1) the sound recording industry and the economic factors which determine what is…

Emphasizing journal literature from the late 1800's to the mid-1930's, this chronologically-arranged compilation annotates articles about library instruction in colleges, universities, and schools of teacher education in the United States. It provides access to secondary materials for historians and librarians interested in academic library…

Emphasis in this manual is placed on the changing pattern of librarianship, and deals with the fundamental principles and functions of the special library as well as an over-view of the techniques of documentation and information storage and retrieval. Chapters covered include: (1) Modern Librarianship and Contemporary Culture; (2) Special…