Considers the successes and failures of academic library responses to multiculturalism and suggests steps that are needed to improve their responses. Topics discussed include recruitment of professional and support staff, changing the composition of management, the role of the library director, developing internships and mentoring, marketing the…

Discusses national standardized testing versus testing reform and provides an overview of the alternative assessment movement and its relationship to the school library media specialist. Highlights include criticisms of standardized testing; theoretical assumptions for alternative assessment; research and practice related to specific alternative…

Describes a study conducted in Florida to determine the status of combined school and public libraries and to evaluate whether further information is needed on their effectiveness. Recommendations based on findings from a review of the literature and a survey of state libraries and education agencies are presented. The questionnaire is appended.…

Reports on activities of the Information Skills Task Force of the American Association of School Librarians that addressed three main issues: (1) student competencies required to access, use, and apply information; (2) preparing an information skills curriculum; and (3) ensuring the integration of information skills into the elementary and…

Describes current concerns and activities of the American Association of School Librarians, including the relationship between whole-language programs and school library media programs; local school site-based management initiatives and their impact on library media programs; fund-raising possibilities; federal funding for library media centers;…

This bibliography for school library media specialists lists periodical articles published in 1992 in the areas of information service; instructional consulting; management; teaching; literary consulting; notable authors, illustrators, and librarians; teaching; school reform; and the White Conference on Library and Information Services. (LRW)

Discusses planning necessary for library media centers that are adding new technology. Highlights include equity and access; selection of an automated system; implementation; placement of hardware, both for patrons and for staff; CD-ROMs and networks; and a case study of the West Windsor-Plainsboro (New Jersey) Middle School. (Contains five…

Describes a college-level student research project on white-collar crime and its relationship to political sociology. Provides suggestions for adapting the activity to other classrooms. Includes recommended resources that can be found in most college libraries. (CFR)

Outlines the Technical Aide (TA) internship program in the Tamalpais Union High School District (Larkspur, California) where students skilled in computer use facilitate technology use within the school. A TA program can provide needed personnel and service in the library as well as highlight library staff competence in technology. Presents tips…

Discusses how to use stories to help children connect mathematical ideas to their own lives. Gives examples of picture books and other children's books that present math ideas, suggests the use of visual learning and real-life applications, and explains how to adapt ideas to library media center activities. (LRW)

Notes the California's Reading Task Force's heavy emphasis on phonemic awareness (PA) evaluation and training. Argues that although evidence shows that phonemic awareness will emerge by simply reading, California's school libraries--ranked near last in the nation--would require a massive commitment to rise to the task. Argues (in an ironic tone)…

Discusses results of a 1997 "CMC News" readers' survey of the top 10 CD-ROM titles used by schools. Compares results of previous surveys (1993 and 1995). Four tables and figures show number of users for each of the 10 CD-ROMs, top-10 rankings for year 1993, 1995, and 1997, increase in ownership of 7 of the 10 titles, and total respondents owning…

Presents educational facility citation award winners of the American School and University Interiors Showcase for design of common areas, classrooms, libraries and media centers, and cafeterias/food service. The architectural firm responsible is listed for each entry as are the square footage involved, costs, completion date, and a brief…

A school librarian presents a plan for teaching Internet skills to all students. The lesson, taught to eighth-grade students, involved three class sessions, two homework assignments, and one written project. Goals and procedures are outlined for the two assignments described. (AEF)

Discusses access to Internet resources in school libraries, including the importance of evaluating content and appropriate use. The following online services that provide current factual information from legitimate resources are described: SIRS (Social Issues Resource Series), InfoTrac, EBSCO Host, SearchBank, and the Electric Library. (MES)