Introduction: Self-guided learning has had a major impact on adult education, where information seeking and use are key aspects of learning. With their lack of experience in study contexts, the students are nevertheless assumed to develop information literacy. Method: The paper aims to create an understanding of how information literacy can be…

Several instruments previously validated for use in school library research were tested for their appropriateness in the context of public libraries' summer reading programs for youth. The researchers were also interested in whether the connection between perceived competence in one's own information skills and perceived competence in one's own…

This session will focus on the dilemmas and challenges of providing effective leadership skills for modern schools with digital information and communication technology (ICT) capabilities. It will review the selected challenges of engaging different generations of staff in ICT based learning and recommend strategies for effective leadership of ICT…

It's no mystery that fun and exciting programs bring teens into the library. Theater programs provide a venue for teens to express themselves creatively, encourage their participation in library programming, and offer them the opportunity for lively interaction with peers and adults. In "Library Programs for Teens: Mystery Theater," Karen Siwak…

In this article, the author, chair of the 2009 Caldecott committee, revealed some very interesting insights into what goes on behind closed doors when she recently spoke to this year's incoming band of judges. This article presents what the author told to members of the 2011 Caldecott committee. The author suggests the 2011 Caldecott committee…

For some library media specialists, implementing the three Rs of recycling, reducing, and reusing comes easily; they've been environmentally conscious well before the concept of going green made its way into the vernacular. Yet for some of library media specialists, the thought of greening their library, let alone the entire school, can seem…

In the fall of 2010 the author received an e-mail informing her that she has been selected as a Gale/Cengage New Leader, which was a true honor. Not only would she be joining four dynamic school librarians from around the country at the School Library Journal Summit on the Future of Reading, she was also being paired with a mentor to navigate her…

The use of graphic novels to engage students has increased steadily in recent years. School librarians and teachers throughout elementary, middle, and secondary schools are integrating graphic novels into English language arts learning and across the curriculum. The growing acceptance of graphic novels in teaching and learning activities is due in…

This article presents an inside look at concurrent session planning for the AASL 15th national conference. Planning for the AASL National Conference and Exhibition can be compared to accepting one's first school library position: Even with all the knowledge, the job is daunting. To add to the stress, most of those on the committee had never met…

The face of reading is changing, and it is happening at a much faster rate than most people had imagined. Where is it all going? What factors are driving the most significant developments? And what role do librarians play in this rapidly evolving world? These are some of the key questions that stakeholders--including educators, publishers,…

The author asks some of the top kids' book creators to choose their favorite children's book about the black experience. The title could be for kids of any age--from a picture book or graphic novel to a chapter book or collection of poems. It could be new or old, fiction or nonfiction. This article presents some of "School Library Journal"'s…

It's time for a sweeping new approach to information literacy learning! The sad truth is that few, if any, information literacy efforts in schools have fulfilled the promise of a "comprehensive" information literacy program: (1) A comprehensive program should reach "all" students in the school; (2) A comprehensive program should be "predictable"…

Research shows that an important step in the development of readers is having access to books. Steven Krashen, in "The Power of Reading," cites multiple studies that demonstrate access to books is crucial in developing strong readers: "the richer the print environment, the better the literacy development." Limiting access runs counter to research…

Digital citizenship encompasses a wide range of behaviors with varying degrees of risk and possible negative consequences. Lack of digital citizenship awareness and education can, and has, led to problematic, even dangerous student conduct. If our educational village does not address these issues, the digital culture establishes its own direction,…

Every day in school libraries nationwide, students' privacy rights are under attack, but many principals, teachers, parents, and community members do not know much about these rights. Even though school librarians are among the strongest proponents of privacy, the subject is rarely discussed, probably because state and federal laws can be…