Ways for language teachers to make effective use of a class library are suggested with focus on selection of suitable books, provision of sufficient reading time in class, and varieties of library activities for primary schools. The Hong Kong approach is cited. (LB)

Describes Direction 2000, a high school holistic school improvement project based on the American Library Association's Presidential Committee on Information Literacy Report (1989). Despite scarce funds, students need more time to learn through discovery, evaluation, and application of information sources. Libraries must be an integral part of…

Lists 75 state associations connected with school library media programs and indicates their affiliations with national organizations, including the Association for School Librarians (AASL) and Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). (LRW)

Reviews state agency activities involved in advising and assisting school library media centers in Georgia, Virginia, Indiana, Alabama, Ohio, and Utah. (LRW)

Presents a directory of agencies that consult with school library media specialists for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Pacific Islands Trust Territory, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. (LRW)

Discusses the value of support during challenges to library media materials and describes studies that show that, when assistance was received from either within or outside the district, challenged material was more likely to be retained. Considers reasons why library media specialists choose not to seek professional support. (LRW)

Principals are the key factor in developing an effective, integrated school library program. Effective principals develop the knowledge base linking collaborative program planning and team teaching to school- and district-wide restructuring efforts. They integrate the library into instructional programs, encourage student use, and establish…

Provides an annotated list of books and videos to help school librarians find additional sources of funding and to help with more formal fundraising. Includes a list of corporate sources of grants, sources of fundraising projects, and a sidebar with advice to grant seekers. (LRW)

Describes how to present a good image of the school library media center at the beginning of the school year. Highlights include coming in earlier than the teachers or students to set up displays and present an organized image, library instruction coordinated with English classes, and sample questions for orientation assignments. (LRW)

Discusses the use of distance education for library education courses based on experiences at the University of Illinois. Topics include the importance of real-time interaction; the availability of technical support; requiring some on-campus time; and the suitability of distance education for youth services and school librarianship courses. (LRW)

Examines how one university, serving isolated rural settlements and small, remote island communities, built a school library capable of serving the special needs of its exceptionally diverse student population as a learning center. Design goals, facility operations, and building assessment are also discussed. (GR)

Discussion of imposed and self-generated queries focuses on a study that investigated imposed queries in the elementary school environment. Examines queries transacted in the school library media center and discusses the social construction of imposition, children's information seeking including the use of electronic resources, and future…

Reviews resources that address change theory, particularly as it applies to school library media specialists. Discusses educational change models; participating in planned change; change agents; failures of change initiatives; and the need for change in education. (LRW)

Illustrates how paying attention to details such as doors can make all the difference between an ordinary school library and an outstanding one. Discusses effective design techniques, factors to incorporate into planning, and the influence of technology on library size. (GR)

Describes a collegial assistance network that has been established in Hawaii for professional development for school library media specialists. Focuses on a research-based analysis of the key principles and processes involved in its successful planning and implementation. (Author/AEF)