Responds to an earlier article regarding school librarians. Topics include professionalization through education and certification programs; the mission statement for library media programs; instruction and training roles; service versus instruction; and the value of information skills. (LRW)

This action research study looks at a sample of 30 juvenile computer books from the past 30 years and analyzes the illustrations for evidence of gender and racial bias as well as career depiction. Examines the gender of authors and illustrators and discusses library media implications. (Author/LRW)

Explains DVD (Digital Video Disk) technology and why it is useful in library collections. Topics include similarities to CDs and regular videocassettes; advantages of DVD for public, school, and academic libraries, including quality and durability; and DVD myths. (LRW)

Discusses emotional literacy, which combines emotions, intelligence, and literacy, and suggests ways to increase emotional intelligence in school libraries and classrooms. Emotional literacy skills include self-awareness, empathy, social problem solving, mood management, and the understanding of motivation. (LRW)

Presents lessons learned in four years of renovating school libraries in Cleveland, Ohio: build a team, fund raising, design tips (layout, furniture, color, windows, floors, theme), bargain hunting, staff recruiting, and timelines. With a small amount of money, volunteers, imagination, and hard work any library media center can be transformed into…

Library media staff at Western High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) established a library media center without walls and an information hub without limits. This article describes the planning, funding, wiring, equipping, programming, managing, and benefits of the $624,500 network. (PEN)

Reports research based on an ongoing three-year investigation of changes that have taken place in two Library Power schools in a large urban school system in the southeastern United States; the Library Power initiative emphasizes that library media specialists integrate information literacy skills throughout the curriculum. (AEF)

Describes seven "habits" for effective school library media specialists: (1) Be proactive; (2) Begin with the end in mind; (3) Put first things first; (4) Think win/win; (5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood; (6) Synergize (get students, teachers, administrators, community members to work cooperatively); and (7) Sharpen the saw (take…

Describes the ideal environment in school libraries for retaining professionals who combine the best tasks and skills from library science and technology. Institutions should have: a desire for change; ample support staff; staff development opportunities; high priority on people skills; and high expectations of staff and leaders. (AEF)

Discusses the librarian's role as copyright adviser and offers five guidelines that are applicable to school or public librarians, including ensuring access to information; digital technology, the need for copyright exceptions, and the importance of staying informed; user rights; promoting fair use; and considering the source of copyright…

An online survey seeking librarians' opinions about including children's books in the high school library returned many positive responses. Lists ways children's books could be used in high school. Discusses the new wave of children's literature; children's books made into movies; commonality of high school libraries having collections of…

Discusses bibliotherapy and suggests supportive knowledge as a better term for use in school libraries. Describes experiments in two Israeli schools that developed a self-help section in the libraries and showed an increase in reading, open discussion among students and librarians, and collaboration between school administrators, teachers, and…

Discusses ten attributes of leadership and offers suggestions for school librarians to implement them. Highlights include communicating vision and ideas; ethical values and integrity; self-awareness and self-knowledge; context; cooperation; diverse skills and flexibility; organizational development; personal growth; and taking action. (LRW)

Reports on an evaluation of Library Power, a national project to improve school library media services in elementary and middle school media centers. Major findings are reported related to impact on student learning, facilities and collection development, professional development and collaboration, and administrative support. (MES)

The purpose of this study was to examine the science and technology books in 18 elementary school libraries in 18 Maryland school districts and: determine the age of the books; identify what percent of the books matched a professional selection source; determine the number of books per student; and estimate costs in upgrading the collections. (AEF)