This theme section includes four articles that discuss building a stronger image for junior and senior high school libraries through public relations. Highlights include building the influence of high school librarians; making the library more welcoming for students; information for transfer students; and publicizing student achievements through a…

Discusses metacognition and offers strategies for developing metacognitive behaviors that can be used in school library resource centers. Topics discussed include thinking processes; problem solving; student journals or learning logs; student planning and self-regulation; closure activities for evaluation; self-evaluation; and shared planning…

Discusses the importance of education research for practitioners and presents a theory-practice research model. Research reports and developments in information technology are described, including (1) ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) services; (2) school library media research reports; (3) articles on online searching in schools;…

Describes possible roles of the teacher-librarian in school staff development. The roles of librarians are discussed, including serving as agents for educational change and as curriculum consultants; the design of staff development programs is explained; the expansion of media center services is discussed; and marketing and public relations…

Discusses the National Goals for Education and suggests a need for an increase in the quantity and quality of research by school library media professionals. Cooperation between media specialists, teachers, and principals is discussed; and resources to help planning programs that will meet the national goals are described. (LRW)

Discusses programs and services of the Society of School Librarians International (SSLI) relating to professional growth, communications and public relations, and legislative involvement. Winners of the 1992 SSLI Annual Book Awards are listed, and activities of the Learning through Media Coalition are described. (LRW)

Lists 65 sources for identifying notable materials for children and young adults, including books, nonprint materials, special features, reference books and electronic sources, multicultural materials, free and inexpensive materials, and periodicals. (LRW)

Discussion of the changing role of school librarians focuses on the instructional consultant role, defined as resource-based instruction with cooperative/collaborative planning between the library media specialist and the classroom teacher. Studies of DeKalb County (Georgia) media specialists are discussed that investigated theory versus practice…

The ongoing restructuring of a mobile, global, digital, postindustrial economy and the consequent trend toward commodified information present challenges to teacher librarians: emphasizing education as engaged learning, recognizing overextension, emphasizing unmeasurable spiritual and cultural values, using ecological or social-bonding models of…

In collaboration with teachers, teacher librarians have a positive impact on student achievement in content areas, information literacy, and reading motivation and ability. Current professional issues of teacher librarians include role clarification, appropriate preservice education, standards for student information literacy, articulation of…

Discusses the role of the school librarian in the electronic age. Topics include expanding services to include computer-based data and information-seeking strategies; working with classroom teachers; collection development versus access to information; information-center managers; and the teaching role of the school librarian. (LRW)

Library media specialists are critically positioned to make a significant contribution to instituting gender-fair practices within a school. This article discusses instructional materials, curriculum, and collection development; gender culture and the media center; sports, gender, and different ways of knowing; and science, gender, and different…

Discusses ways that school media specialists can save time to make the transition from traditional tasks to newer responsibilities necessitated by changes in education. Highlights include placing orders; record keeping, particularly clerical tasks that could be handled electronically or by other people; cataloging; parent volunteers; and working…

Lists projects that parent volunteers can do in elementary school libraries in the areas of computers, audiovisuals, reading programs, helping students, special-needs students, clerical, arts and crafts, parent representation in various areas, and community projects. (LRW)

Provides librarians who are responsible for implementing a new school library with an overview of the process. Topics include ordering circulating and reference books; computer hardware and software; supplies and other miscellaneous items, including other media formats such as videotapes; furniture and shelving; and a time line for planning. (LRW)