In this article, the author relates how she helped organize the Middle School Community Read project, a community reading project for middle school students in her school district. The project aimed to reverse the trend of a community experiencing loss of male readers as they become teens. First, the author and her group formed a small committee…

This report marks the third release of library statistics data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2008. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, the product of a cooperative…

The term "inquiry" can be viewed from two perspectives. Inquiry refers to the abilities students develop when designing and conducting investigations and the understanding they gain through this process about the nature of science. Inquiry also refers to teaching and learning strategies that enable students to master content concepts. Library…

This year's "School Library Journal's" spending survey showed that, despite the recession, the vast majority of media centers around the country have retained their credentialed media specialists. For example, almost 85% of elementary schools and more than 95% of middle and high schools have a full-time certified librarian. In addition, salaries…

The subtitle of the guidelines for school librarians, "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning" reflects school library professionals' view that partnering with teachers and other educators is vital to enhancing the learning process, and the book devotes a chapter to the importance of collaboration. Yet one of the most…

This article discusses how Book buddy reading activities can help to develop interpersonal relationships between younger and older students, increase all children's reading levels and abilities, and foster their positive self-esteem and confidence. Teachers, families, and other caregivers often seek techniques to improve children's reading…

During the 1890s, the library media specialty was established through "a School Library Section as an integral part of the National Education Association" (Cole 90). In the ensuing decades, this role has expanded and changed; it demands a balancing act between the more traditional roles surrounding books and reading, and the newer expectations and…

This report presents selected findings from the school library media center data files of the 2007-08 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). SASS is a nationally representative sample survey of public, private, and Bureau of Indian Education-funded (BIE) K-12 schools, principals, and teachers in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The public…

A qualitative case study highlighting one rural Iowa elementary school provided insight into the issue of small schools without library programs as they are preparing to meet the Iowa reinstatement of the requirement for school library programs. The site was purposefully chosen because it has been operating without a school library program or…

The rationale for providing native language materials in school resource libraries is discussed. In 1978, only 0.1 percent of school library collections in Canada were in languages other than French or English. Most English as a Second Language programs are designed to promote students' assimilation into English language society. This orientation…

Indicates the media center's role in school humanities programs. (PF)

Discusses the proceedings of a five-day institute held at Georgia Southwestern College, August 6-10, 1973 among whose purposes were, to inspire school librarians to assist the youth within Georgia's culturally deprived areas, and to make available for examination types of media that would attract the interest of the culturally deprived student.…

Report of a study designed to ascertain what trends practitioners, leaders, and professors foresee for the last quarter of the twentieth century as well as innovations they would like introduced in school media centers/programs during this time span. (Author)

The recipient of the 1975 Distinguished Library Service Award for School Administrators defines quality media services and recommends a program for superintendent involvement in media programs. (Author)

A review of the concept of educational technology and the implications of educational technology for school library programs. (Author)