Geared for school library media specialists whose centers are in the early stages of automation or conversion to a new system, this article focuses on major components of media center automation: circulation control; online public access catalogs; machine readable cataloging; retrospective conversion of print catalog cards; and computer networks…

School library media specialists can revitalize programs and restore their worth to teachers, administrators, parents, and students by valuing books and reading, learning and teaching strategies to access print and electronic information, automating circulation systems and switching to integrated online catalogs, and communicating the contribution…

Describes the use of Big6 strategies in guiding student research projects as part of a cooperative program between teachers and the school librarian. Topics include information seeking strategies; evaluating information sources; locating information using search engines; analyzing information sources; and achieving information literacy and…

Provides two fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with specific curriculum units in reading, language arts, and social studies. Library media skills, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, activities and procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described for each activity. (LRW)

Describes school libraries in Australia. Highlights include the title of teacher librarian and their education; the history of the role of school libraries in Australian education; empowerment; information skills and benchmarks; national standards for school libraries; information literacy; learning outcomes; evidence-based practice; digital…

Provides suggestions for starting a new school library media specialist position, including defining an ideal program; creating a checklist of needs and wants; using the summer to meet staff, including principals, teachers, and support staff; formal presentations to library staff; cooperation with teachers; and meeting students. (LRW)

Discussion of the need to advocate for library services to young people focuses on the role of school and public libraries in children's lives from birth through age 5 and from 10 through 14. Brain development, family intervention, children's attitudes and self-expectations, and state and local elements are discussed. (LRW)

Suggesting a diamond as a visual metaphor for upcoming research in school library media, this article discusses four questions that would occupy the corners. Questions examine contributions of library media programs to student achievement; roles of the library media specialist in today's schools; how students use electronic information resources…

Provides a background of the National Science Foundation's NSDL (National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Digital Library) which includes three tracks: collections, services, and targeted research. Discusses challenges and opportunities for elementary and secondary school library media specialists and teachers. (LRW)

Discusses the value of developing and promoting a natural history library by school library media specialists. Topics include benefits to students; promoting outdoor education; recommended reading for high school students; using technology; and other aids to promote outdoor education. (LRW)

Describes the development of a formula to determine the needed quantity of computers for a school library. Four types of information technology activities (administrative, personal productive, class/group productive, online public access catalog) and several variables (age levels served, campus focus, number of staff, size of student body, average…

Provides fully developed library media activities designed for specific curriculum units. Curriculum areas represented include reading and language arts (proverbs and fables, letters of the alphabet, and biographies); science (the study of Gregor Mendel and genetics, oil resources); and social studies (global awareness). (LRW)

Describes six library projects that won Apple Library of Tomorrow (ALOT) grants for proposed information technology projects. Public library, high school library, university library, and Library of Congress projects are profiled that deal with learning facilities with videodisk, electronic bulletin boards, community outreach projects,…

Provides fully developed library media activities designed to be used in connection with specific curriculum units, including art, mathematics, reading and language arts, and social studies. For each activity, the objectives of the exercise, resources, instructional roles of librarians and teachers, procedures involved, evaluation, and follow-up…

Reviews issues identified by the White House Conference on Library and Information Services that relate to the needs of youth and offers specific suggestions for ways in which libraries can meet those needs. Proposed federal legislation is discussed, and a checklist designed to assess gaps at the state and local levels is provided. (CLB)