This digest examines changes that are involved in an elementary school library media program when the school's instructional methods move from a basic skills to a whole language approach. These changes are discussed in terms of three curricular foci--theme studies, process writing, and literature-based reading--and new demands that are placed on…

The purpose of this study was: (1) to examine the opinions of a selected group of public and private high school students regarding their perceptions of the level of accessibility to their school libraries (accessibility defined as times when students think they were allowed to be in the library); (2) to determine whether or not students feel the…

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded just over one million dollars to support institutes or training workshops primarily for school and public librarians. Under the Library Education and Human Resource Development Program, 15 institutions of higher education or library organizations nationwide have received funding for institutes that…

This project was developed and implemented to improve an open library program by increasing parent involvement. Through initial surveys, questionnaires, and the author's personal experience, it was determined that the problems experienced by parents, teachers, administrators, and students in the open library program were due to the ineffectiveness…

The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) conducted an open forum May 4-5, 1993 on the changing role of the federal government in support of library and information services and literacy programs for children and youth. The following topics were addressed: current status of library and information services for…

This packet of materials was developed by the members of a joint task force of librarians from school, public, and college libraries in Ohio as a means of facilitating closer cooperation in defining library instructional goals and activities. It begins with a discussion of the need for such cooperation and suggested roles for classroom teachers…

Activities of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Services (NCLIS) during fiscal year 1988-1989 are reported under three broad headings--Literacy, Democracy, and Productivity. The report under Literacy features two major projects: working with the American Association of School Librarians to initiate and convene a Symposium on…

This conference report contains 32 presented papers: "Talking Books for Children in Sweden in Libraries and Schools" (L. Bergman); "At-Risk Students: How Do School (Library) Systems Respond?" (G. R. Brown); "Providing School Library Services to Immigrant Populations" (K. W. Craver); "Bibliographic Aids for School…

A state-wide survey was undertaken in 1988-1989 to determine the status of the library media programs in South Carolina's public schools. The first of two phases of the study involved the compilation of statistical data reported to the State Department of Education by building level administrators on the Basic Educational Data System (BEDS) for…

This document presents guidelines for establishing, modifying, and building library media programs which effectively meet the needs of students. It is divided into five sections: (1) The Process of Program Development, which discusses planning a library media program and its relationship to curriclum development; (2) The School Library Media…

The successful inclusion of school library media centers in fully articulated networks involves considerable planning and organization for technological change. In this study a preliminary model of the stages of school system participation in library networks was developed with the major activities for each stage identified. The model follows…

This curriculum guide is intended to meet the needs of librarians in all schools in Pennsylvania, including those lacking access to online technologies. It is recommended that the online curriculum be integrated with the teaching of library media skills in other discipline areas at appropriate elementary and secondary grade levels, and that…

Federal legislation ensures that children with physical disabilities should not be denied access to the school library. These children have the same information needs as their peers, and they want equal access to information in the school library media center. To create an accessible and functional school library, many requirements and…

This report summarizes an investigation of the relationship between public elementary school students' achievement in reading and study skills and several aspects of the library media program. Data were collected from a statewide survey of library media programs and personnel, district summaries of reading achievement scores for fourth and seventh…

This report provides excerpts of statistical information derived from a study conducted by surveying representative samples of 4,500 public schools and 1,700 private schools in the United States. Survey methodology is described; the limitations and appropriate use of the data are considered; and sampling errors are discussed. The report includes…