Suggests guidelines to consider when choosing electronic reference tools for school libraries, including stand-alone systems versus networked versions; other resources that give access to the same information; annual updates; replacement costs; equipment needs; student and teacher needs; training time needed; and ease of use. (LRW)

Despite the success of Japan's educational system in terms of academic achievement, a closer examination reveals a rigid system that discourages student expression and creativity, stresses conformity, ignores differences in student abilities, and supports an intensively competitive entrance system for high school and college. Discusses negative…

Describes the results of a 1991-93 study of censorship in public school libraries in Manitoba that were compared with results from an earlier study. Highlights include who challenged materials; for what reasons; results of the challenges; most frequently challenged titles and authors; and results for urban versus rural schools. (LRW)

Describes the Teachers as Readers (TAR) program, established by the Association of American Publishers in 1992 to encourage teachers and administrators to read current children's and young adult trade books and to use them in their language arts program. Nearly 600 TAR groups nationwide meet periodically to read and discuss books for use in their…

Summarizes the mentoring component of a large federally funded partnership project, the Urban Teachers Project, which is designed to support future urban teachers. Twenty-four minority teachers served as mentors. Recruitment and selection of mentor teachers, typical mentor-student activities, and student attitudes are described. (SLD)

Increasingly, four-year college students are taking additional courses at nearby two-year colleges, for a variety of reasons: to reduce costs, to sample technical education, for scheduling purposes, for smaller classes, and for less difficult courses. In some cases, the four-year college may contract with the two-year college to provide remedial…

Discusses the incorporation of videos into library collections and school curricula and reviews suitable book-based videos adapted from traditional folk or fairy tales, modern short stories, and novels. Topics addressed include interpreting visual images, changes made from the original version, and style and setting. A list of distributors is…

In the coming era of shrinking opportunity in the professions, discrimination must be redefined so that there is consensus about fairness, and affirmative action within the professions should be deemphasized as the professions cease expanding. The burden of coming job shortages must be shared without favoring any one group. (SLD)

Discusses CD-ROM technology in conjunction with three components of the virtual library: (1) a fully functional computerized network; (2) digital information that is content rich; (3) knowledgeable users. These concepts are related to the results of a study of CD-ROM applications in 301 secondary-school library media centers. (eight references)…

Maintains that the United Nations Charter, which calls for "respect for human rights...without distinction to race, sex or religion" is commonly violated, particularly with respect to girls. Presents a lesson portraying dilemmas faced by four girls in different parts of the world as they confront problems. (CFR)

Describes a systematic, disciplinary approach to setting preservation priorities at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library. Topics covered include guiding principles; development of a national preservation plan for agricultural literature; selecting for preservation in agriculture and biology; and digital technology and preservation. A…

Analyzes answers to a questionnaire given to British secondary school children who had opted out of foreign language study. Identifies reasons why the students chose not to continue language study. Concludes that enjoyment of the subject and opportunities for contact with the country of the target language are factors motivating students to…

Discussed is the success of a small university in placing African Americans into medical school and pharmacy school. Described are precollege enrichment programs for mathematics and science that emphasize problem solving, homework, daily quizzes, development of vocabulary and reading skills, peer support groups, role models, and parental…

Suggests practices to use and to avoid using when reading books to or with young and elementary school children. Also suggests how television viewing has supplanted reading among children and their families, and how parents and teachers can control children's television viewing and use television to its best advantage. (BB)

Lists 14 resources that are guides to selecting books for and about Native Americans for young people. They include bibliographies, discussions of cultural bias, periodicals, and a checklist for evaluation. (SLD)