Discusses the role of paraprofessionals in secondary school libraries and suggests guidelines for the selection process. Highlights include a sample job description for a library media assistant that includes expectations and responsibilities; the need for adequate training; providing a variety of assignments; and establishing consistent policies.…

Describes a public and school library cooperative project with a year-long focus on young adult authors that culminated in a conference open to all middle school students with presentations by five authors. Securing funding, the planning process, authors' contracts, problems about recommended reading lists, and enthusiastic feedback from students…

Describes a survey that investigated the feasibility of a single library education program for the education of teacher-librarians in developing countries. Results are compared with the outcome of a similar survey conducted in Iran; the idea of a core curriculum is discussed; and competencies expressed as necessary by librarians are examined.…

Discusses the need to provide appropriate materials in school libraries that offer support to gay and lesbian teens. Topics addressed include the presentation of role models, in fiction as well as in biographies; religious diversity; confidentiality of circulation records; and censorship issues. (LRW)

Reports on a survey of the leisure reading of 700 teenagers in rural North Carolina which collected data on reading for pleasure, types of materials selected, favorite authors and books, differences in interests of boys and girls, reasons for reading, and how respondents find out about books. Implications for teachers and library media specialists…

Discusses ways in which schools, libraries, and other cultural institutions can help students develop their own thoughts and foster a desire for lifelong learning. Schools and cultural institutions are compared, libraries are described as places for critical thinking, and a model for school information service is presented that stresses…

Discussion of the role of the school librarian focuses on a study in the state of Washington that identified the characteristics of library media specialists who were recognized as having exemplary high school library media programs. Use of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Evaluative Checklist is described. (11…

Discussion of how school library media specialists can fulfill the mission stated in "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs" focuses on responsiveness to the concerns of school administrators. Topics addressed include impacts on student learning; learner outcomes and performance objectives; measures of…

Reviews the reference book "Who's Who in Space: The International Space Year Edition" and provides a lesson plan for grades five and six to teach library media skills. Objectives, instructional roles, activity and procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described. (EAM)

Explores areas to consider when planning and designing libraries/media centers. Examines wiring capabilities to meet future needs, ergonomics and furniture durability for workstations, and color and lighting schemes to enhance the indoor environment. (GR)

Provides guidelines on weeding science collections in junior high/high school libraries. Highlights include checking copyright dates, online sources, 13 science subject areas that deserve special consideration (plate tectonics, fission, fusion, radioactive dating, weather/climate, astronomy/space science, elements, integrated science,…

Presents an interpretation of the new "Information Power" guidelines for school media specialists formulated by a group of graduate students. Illustrates a global view of the school media program and highlights the vision statement, mission statement, and goal for the school media program. Discusses the role of the media specialist as…

Discussion of the new information-literacy standards authored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) focuses on a new information process model, "Pathways to Knowledge: Follett's Information Skills Model." Topics include the role of…

Stresses the need to show students the value of traditional print resources while at the same time introducing them to the speed and efficiency of electronic resources in school libraries. Discusses speed of access, quality, electronic research, and electronic books and reading online versus reading a sequential, self-paced print book. (LRW)

Suggests strategies for school librarians to build a power base and become involved with the teachers and students. Highlights include surveying teachers regarding their needs and then responding with bibliographies of resources and flexible lesson plans, joining planning teams and committees, and encouraging student use of the library. (LRW)