Discusses ways to evaluate school library media programs and how to demonstrate quality. Topics include how principals evaluate programs; sources of evaluative data; national, state, and local instruments; surveys and interviews; Colorado benchmarks; evaluating the use of electronic resources; and computer reporting options. (LRW)

Explains the copyright policy battles now pending in Congress and the courts, with a discussion of what they mean for free speech, access to information, and democratic culture in school libraries. (MES)

Discusses the key role of the school library as an information commons that prepares tomorrow's citizens to recognize their rights and responsibilities in the information age. An action agenda for school librarians aimed at ensuring that young people will continue to have opportunities to participate in a digital age democracy is suggested. (MES)

Describes school library reform efforts in New York City's elementary public schools initiated by a private foundation to help improve education and fight poverty. Topics include funding; successful public and private collaboration; librarian training; and research to determine the role and influence of libraries. (LRW)

Describes how one elementary school created small, cross-grade-level groups to made their school a smaller place for students and to encourage interaction and support. Explains the role of the library media specialists in choosing read-aloud picture books that teach virtues mandated by the school district to be used by all groups. (LRW)

Discusses how school libraries can provide valuable services to parents and develop meaningful partnerships with new computer technology. Suggests school librarians should analyze parental resources and needs and match them with the library's mission, as well as being sensitive to possible barriers to service. (Author/LRW)

Suggest five ways for promoting school library media centers. Discusses the use of e-mail for communicating with teachers and staff; school newsletters for communicating with parents and students; involving community members; showing new library materials at staff development meetings; and booktalks using older books as well as new titles. (LRW)

Presents a bibliography of literature published during 2001 relating to library instruction and information literacy, the majority of which dealt with the implementation of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) standards for information literacy in higher education. Also includes school libraries, public libraries, special…

Discusses issues concerning metadata in Web pages based on experiences in a vocational education center library in Queensland (Australia). Highlights include Dublin Core elements; search engines; controlled vocabulary; performance measurement to assess usage patterns and provide quality control over the vocabulary; and considerations given the…

Reviews the Big6 information problem-solving model. Highlights include benefits and dangers of the simplicity of the model; theories of instruction; testing of the model; the model as a process for completing research projects; and advice for school library media specialists considering use of the model. (LRW)

Discusses how library media specialists deal with budgeting and the need to discover and prioritize the needs of patrons, to explain them to those who supply funding, and to make the funds go as far as possible. Considers faculty needs; student needs; and library media specialist and center needs. (LRW)

Discusses school library media specialists and library programs and the need to promote them to make them more visible. Focuses on the need for advocacy and suggests steps to take, including collaboration with teachers, principals, and other media specialists; and includes resources for advocacy, starting with the AASL (American Association of…

Describes five models for instructional design, including the ASSURE Model (analyze learners, state objectives, select methods, media and materials, utilize media and materials, require learner participation, and evaluate); the Learning Cycle; Instructional Analysis Model; Integrated Model for Teaching Library Skills; and Instructional…

Describes common problems with signs used in school libraries and offers suggestions for improving their effectiveness. Techniques to be considered in designing legible signs are discussed, as well as developing a system of signs by evaluating their function in terms of instructional objectives. A list of suggested readings is provided. (CLB)

Descriptions and evaluations of selected books about the Vietnam War are presented in three broad categories: anthologies and collections, books describing a specific aspect of or group involved in the war, and books about problems faced by returning veterans. (34 references) (CLB)