Reviews new guidelines for school library media centers which present an expanded definition of the role of the media specialist. The main points are discussed, including a mission statement and its challenges; developing increased proficiency in instructional technologies; and forging partnerships with principals, teachers, and students. The…

Discusses the possible benefits of basing library media programs on the information need exhibited in different developmental stages of childhood and adolescence. Four developmental stages are identified, and the appropriate library services for the information needs of each are discussed. (12 references) (CLB)

Describes the first White House Conference on Library and Information Services and assesses its impact on youth services in school and public libraries. It is concluded that the conference had little influence on youth services and ways in which youth librarians can take a more active role in the upcoming second conference are discussed. (two…

The plaintiff in Pico v. Island Trees, a 1982 landmark Supreme Court case that declared local public school boards cannot ban books merely because they dislike the ideas expressed in them, describes that censorship battle. The major components of the court decision are discussed, and strategies for combatting censorship in school libraries are…

Discusses how libraries can help children and teenagers meet their needs for the future and the current status of the nation's library service to youth. A checklist for assessing library service at the state and local levels is provided, and national proposals recommended for action at the Second White House Conference on Library and Information…

Briefly describes the elements of HyperCard and discusses its potential as an easy authoring tool for library media specialists to use in creating professional quality, computer-based instructional materials. Suggestions for the development of presentations, tutorials, information exploration exercises, and desktop instruction using HyperCard are…

Description of public libraries that are combined and housed with school libraries focuses on successful library combinations in Canada and Australia. Topics discussed include community needs; cost factors; staffing and administrative issues; cataloging differences; location considerations; services offered; funding; and advantages for rural…

Outlines the history and curriculum of Stuyvesant High School, and describes both the intellectually gifted student body and the role played by the school's library media center. Topics discussed include the library facility; its collections; library instruction; reference services; and plans for the future. (CLB)

Suggests that library media specialists can shape their role as instructional consultants by using successful survival strategies, such as those presented in "Information Power." Strategies discussed include participation in curriculum development, cooperative collection development, and the integration of the media specialist's role as…

Summarizes a series of five studies on students' perspectives of information seeking in response to a research assignment. Feelings, thoughts, and actions commonly experienced in the information search process are described in six stages. Implications of the findings for further research and their impact on school library media programs are…

The first article discusses CD-ROM pricing and provides a list of databases and magazines available on CD-ROM. The second provides guidelines for purchasing a CD-ROM workstation. The third describes the use of ERIC on CD-ROM as a research tool for high school students. The fourth describes the benefits of using online searching to teach research…

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

Examines the underlying reasons for and the possible impact of the decision by the American Library Association (ALA) to become a member of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The ways in which media specialists prepared in NCATE programs will differ from those prepared in ALA programs are discussed. (four…

Discusses the need for written collection policies in learning resources centers as a defense against censorship and as a collection planning device. A model collection policy is reviewed, with emphasis on the sections and wording that bear directly on censorship and intellectual freedom. (8 references) (CLB)

Describes an evaluative study that examined the extent of integration between a school library program and the science program. The discussion covers areas in which cooperative planning and teaching were found to be weak and makes recommendations for improvements in communication, curriculum planning, library collections, and creative library…