Part of a series edited by Jean E. Lowrie. Part One is LI 500.

This interim report describes a study that is investigating the technical efficiency with which elementary school libraries in California transform designated resources into a variety of library- and school-related outcomes using a stagewise measurement approach. A linear programing-based technique called data envelopment analysis is described.…

Discusses the need for school librarians to be familiar with basic cataloging rules and describes basic provisions of the Anglo American Cataloging Rules (AACR) and its revisions in AACR2R. Explains terminology, including MARC records and IBBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description), and lists helpful Web sites for MARC records and…

Yes, grant writing is time consuming. Finding the right one to support your specific need can take up to a month, and even then, it can take another month and as long as a year before any money is awarded. The good news is that once you've written a grant, you may be able to use the same one to apply to different grantors. Just make sure to adjust…

Bringing a "real live" author into the school can be a great fun for both kids and staff. However, it can also be a disaster. In this article, the author offers ideas on how to host a school visit. Library media specialists can help ensure a successful visit by preparing in advance: define the goals, communicate the expectations, provide…

Raising awareness of the value of programs through publishing a library newsletter is recommended. It is suggested that besides writing about local library events one should write articles that teachers could use, as useful articles will attract more readers.

Donna Walters remembers her twenty-five years of service as a library media specialist and compares her last twenty-five years to an open book that she would like to call "All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in the Media Center". The book would carry dedications to two groups, the students, as each student is a gift from God and teachers, as they…

The Golden Rule which combines the two bodies of ethics namely Codes of Ethics (Gerhardt 1990) and Association for Educational Communications and Technology code (AECT) plays an important rule in analyzing the two codes of ethics that affect school librarianship, which is aimed to keep the patrons safe and secure. Some of the ways in which library…

Library media centers need to present the data they collect in a way that attracts funding from sources that increasingly look to quantifiable measures rather than qualitative reports before parting with money. Tips on how to compile numbers through Automatic Data Generation as well as Manual Data Generation are offered.

Collaborative individuals look for openings to work with others. The beginning of collaboration is cooperation, a willingness to adapt, to be flexible, and to help others. Cooperation opens doors to the possibility of collaboration. This article discusses what collaboration is and how teacher-librarians can make it happen in their schools.

Recently, the author participated in a conversation with several teacher-librarians about a school library remodeling project in which they were involved. The targeted libraries were in quite bad physical shape and needed extensive work; indeed, they were probably not safe. In these particular instances, not only were the libraries being…

A common stereotype of a library is that of a place wherein people are required to be quiet. However, the author prefers a noisy and active library wherein books and ideas are discussed, recommended, and shared. The author believes that speaking is inextricably intertwined with thinking, and reading requires reflection on and a response to someone…

In September of 2008 Scholastic Book Company donated content specific classroom libraries to one core team of sixth grade classrooms at Wentzville Middle School in the Wentzville School District. This was the first time that Scholastic had been involved in the concept of "team" libraries. The classrooms involved consisted of mathematics,…

Having a child come into the library--whether on his/her very first visit or one of many visits--means that school librarians have the incredible privilege--and responsibility--to make that child feel welcome and to support his/her learning process in every way they possibly can. Whether a child is officially labeled as being "differently able"…

Expanding on the popular, practical how-to guide for public, academic, school, and special libraries, technology expert Susan Sharpless Smith offers library instructors the confidence to take Web-based instruction into their own hands. Smith has thoroughly updated "Web-Based Instruction: A Guide for Libraries" to include new tools and…