In the past decade information literacy has received increasing emphasis in K-12 and postsecondary education, yet the information literacy skill levels of high school and college graduates continue to vary considerably. This report compares findings across a subset of data collected in three independent research studies focusing on students'…

Two Heads Are Better than One: The Factors Influencing the Understanding and Practice of Classroom-Library Collaboration proposed to identify the factors involved in educating future K-8 classroom teachers about collaboration for instruction with school library media specialists (SLMSs). This longitudinal study monitored the growth of teacher…

In this article, the author reports on how three women saved their school libraries and created an advocacy model for all. The dynamic trio: Lisa Layera Brunkan, the great researcher with exceptional people skills, Susan McBurney, the master organizer with a Ph.D. in linguistics, and Denette Hill, the numbers lady with fantastic business acumen,…

This report addresses the reporting requirements of Public Law 26-26 and the provisions of "No Child Left Behind" ("NCLB") as described in the Guam Department of Education Board adopted "District Action Plan" ("DAP"). Public Law 26-26, Section 3106 states that "No later than thirty (30) days following…

The American Library Association's (ALA's) divisions for academic and public libraries--the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Public Library Association (PLA)--have long collected and reported annual statistics about the types of libraries they represent. This year, 2007, the American Association of School Librarians…

As an elementary school library media specialist, the author has always tried to improve the authenticity of student research and increase collaboration with classroom teachers. Two years ago all those efforts came together and exceeded her highest expectations: a school-wide ecology fair showcased student research alongside the displays of…

This article discusses the importance of designing a library media center that engages students in constructing new knowledge. The author describes the planning stages of a new library facility. In the early planning stages, the author focused on the expectations of the administration. She soon realized that they had included all the…

As America entered the information age, libraries were no longer being pictured as a vital part of family life. Instead, technology became the critical resource for a middle-class family. In addition, state and national accountability and assessment initiatives forced school library media specialists (SLMSs) to demonstrate that the school library…

Teenagers will freely give up personal information to join social networks on the Internet. However, a 2007 study by the Pew Internet and American Life project found that most of the 55 percent of teens who place their personal profiles online take steps to protect themselves from the most obvious areas of risk. Parents, teachers, and librarians…

When a challenge gets difficult, it's hard to believe that people challenge instructional materials because they care. It's even harder to remember that educators want the general public, legislators, taxpayers, and parents to care about education. Library media specialists and administrators have the same lens of stress that all adults have,…

In this article, the author relates how she helped organize the Middle School Community Read project, a community reading project for middle school students in her school district. The project aimed to reverse the trend of a community experiencing loss of male readers as they become teens. First, the author and her group formed a small committee…

This document is a step-by-step guide for librarians who wish to host children's authors and illustrators at school and public libraries. Topics include reasons for having an author/illustrator visit; preliminary planning and making proposals; making initial contacts; the program plan, including types of events, examples of successful visits and…

Designed for elementary and secondary school library media personnel, this fact sheet briefly outlines the need for and methods of public relations. The document emphasizes that because library media programs are vulnerable to budget cuts, the need exists to educate those making fiscal decisions on the role of these materials in the curriculum. A…

An investigation of alternatives in collection design for the school library/media center. (Author/PF)

A procedural guide to program-planning-budgeting systems (PPBS) and an exploration of valid sources of funding for school media programs. (Author/PF)