Offers tips for how school library media specialists attending conferences can make the most productive use of their time. Discusses three aspects of conferences: the professional aspects; the social aspects; and vendors' displays. (LRW)

Discussion of the tension between students and teachers regarding understanding in information tasks focuses on the role the teacher-librarian can take to help boost student achievement and to help teachers create information tasks. Topics include curriculum goals; integrating information literacy skills; facets of understanding; and the…

Discusses educational reform and the lack of libraries in charter schools. Presents results of a content analysis of books about charter schools and discusses the lack of information about libraries, and suggests the need for teachers and teacher librarians to take leadership roles in emphasizing the role of libraries in charter schools. (LRW)

Discusses the importance of information literacy for lifelong learning and the need for cooperation between public libraries and school libraries and teacher librarians. Reports results of a survey of Australian school and public libraries that investigated interaction and cooperation. (Contains 46 references.) (LRW)

Books were scarce in nineteenth-century South Dakota. Limited resources and a lack of widespread interest worked to hinder the growth of libraries in rural schools. Library advocates persisted in their cause, voicing their support, engaging in fund-raising activities, and proposing library legislation. Their efforts eventually led to the passage…

The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Association for Indiana Media Educators surveyed 2,650 schools regarding materials which have been questioned or challenged in school library media programs. The 1995-86 results are compared to results from the 1994 survey. (DGM)

Describes the Young Hoosier Book Award program, which is designed to promote voluntary reading. Notes that schools across Indiana are deeply impoverished in terms of literacy resources for students and that school libraries are chronically underfunded and are in dire straits. (RS)

Describes the life of Steven Kellogg, a children's book illustrator and writer. Includes extension ideas for school library media center activities related to his works and presents a selected annotated bibliography in chronological order, videos, and biographical information. (LRW)

Includes eight articles that address issues related to budgeting and finances in secondary school libraries. Topics include limited budgets; budget proposals; administering grants; writing grants; using Microsoft's Excel software for budgeting; using credit cards for library purchases; offering prizes for donating books; and offering coffee and…

Discusses how school librarians can use self-interest to increase their influence with the principal. Topics include demonstrating how the library can help; providing pertinent information; increasing interaction with the principal; accuracy and speed of providing information; helpful Web sites; and organizing and presenting the information. (LRW)

Discusses recent trends in information literacy and instruction. Topics include the emergence of standards and guidelines; standards in elementary and secondary schools; accreditation standards, certification, and mandates; defining what librarians do, particularly as teachers; plagiarism, copyright, and ethical behavior; and the impact of…

Discussion of spirituality in schools focuses on Native American images, especially as used for school mascots and product marketing. Includes various resources, both electronic and printed, that are helpful to school library media specialists as well as other educators. (LRW)

Describes how the Robin Hood foundation has teamed with architects to ensure that New York City's 650 schools have comprehensive and modern libraries. Offers brief descriptions of the first six library designs resulting from this public-private partnership. (EV)

This 17-item annotated bibliography of both retrospective and more recent information sources contains references to books and journal articles on flexible scheduling in library media centers. (MES)

Discussion of the use of poetry in the classroom highlights 15 poetry books and suggests numerous activities appropriate for grades 2 through 5 in the subject areas of African Americans, birds, color, discoveries, families, food/eating, haiku, multiculturalism, Native Americans, nature, New England, Paul Revere/biographies, seasons, trains, and…