This column is the first in a series exploring "new" expanded conceptions of literacy education. Examples of these new expanded conceptions include visual literacy, critical literacy, hypertext, media literacy, multimedia, drama, music and other less "traditional" forms of print and nonprint text. It is through discussions of these multiple…

In this article, the author asks the question "Where do students at your school get most of their information for research?" He states that if they are only using the Web, their research is probably on shaky footing. Using only print or using only digital resources often gives student researchers only part of the picture and provides inadequate…

Since archaeology is a branch of science that interests so many kids, Alice Robinson based a 10-week lesson for her sixth grade class on the subject. First, she prominently displayed archaeology books in the library, including Ancient Times by Guy Austrian and Archaeology for Kids by Richard Panchyk. After explaining the definition of archaeology…

Picture books are short books, usually 32 to 48 pages long, in which the illustrations and text work together to tell a story or provide information. In this article, the author discusses how a library media specialist has effectively hooked the students into an in-depth study of the Civil War in a 20-minute read-aloud activity, using historical…

A library media specialist should be involved in understanding the curriculum and the content area standards in the school, school district and the state, which would help the library media specialists to assist in planning, collaboratively teaching and co-evaluating with the classroom teachers. The library media program can become an integral…

Principals should change their traditional evaluating methods while evaluating the library media specialists who also have to serve as a teacher or assume other additional responsibilities and adopt evaluation methods similar to those used for teachers. The "prep" period librarians provide a way to continue the method of instructing students in…

The US Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) launched the Improving Literacy through School Libraries Program at the outset of NCLB. Using competitive project grants, the Literacy through Libraries (LSL) objective is to facilitate the improvement of literacy skills and academic achievement of students by…

The importance and work of Library Media Specialists is discussed where they help teach students to be information literate. The Library Media Specialist also helps to find answers to questions and help find resources to support instruction in the classroom, working with students to use technology in the library media center, the computer lab, and…

Data that is meaningful and purposeful is collected to assess the state of our library media programs, services and policies. The way in which one can develop the skills required to collect, analyze, interpret, present, and use data is presented.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires inclusive education to the maximum extent appropriate, students with special needs be educated in the "least restrictive environment" (LRE). The scope of inclusive education practice continues to evolve as new technologies and innovative instructional methods emerge.

The advent of Internet has lead to increase in the number of available sources in the library media centers, which earlier depended on reference books, encyclopedia and a nonfiction book. The advantage of the web includes easier access to primary sources, original journals, interviews, TV transcripts, video interviews, and newspaper articles.

Library media specialists can help achieve several goals of the No Child Left Behind Act. Of particular importance is helping students to achieve high test scores, as this would influence the level of federal funds meted out to schools.

The School Library Media Center at Delsea Regional High School was not meeting the needs of the students, staff and community of the 21st century and hence a re-design of the library space was needed. The re-design project included planning objectives, providing a scale drawing and involving key players as stakeholders.

Media specialists are now in charge of computers, printers, software programs and every other technological advancement, as technology have become an important aspect of education. The key points to be kept in mind while promoting technology in the media center are stated.

It is argued that library media specialists should consider technology as integral to their jobs as they do literature and books and use it to create an active learning community. The many ways that technology can be used to enhance student achievement are discussed.