Data from student and teacher questionnaires, interviews with school librarians, and examination of bibliographies of student papers were collected in six metropolitan area public schools working to study facilities used and assistance received by students on independent study assigments. Results indicated that students successfully used a wide…

All teachers, including school librarians, have the responsibility of helping people utilize (not only discover) information to help themselves. They must promote questioning and the active life of the imagination. (Author)

Implementation plans and methodology for achieving the effective transformation of a traditional high school library to a Library/Media Center are given. (Author/MK)

Discusses the growing problem of violence in schools and communities. Emphasizes the need for school library media programs to provide information related to concerns about violence. Provides an annotated bibliography of solution-oriented print and web-related resources, programs to increase mutual respect among students and school staff, and…

Considers reasons that librarians are often overlooked by administrators and teachers. Highlights include lack of exposure to the value of libraries and librarians in teacher training; difficulty in measuring the extent and value of librarians' contributions to classrooms; and lack of visibility in professional organizations outside of…

In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Universal Service program to provide financial support for communications services for all K-12 schools/libraries. A Washington telecommunications attorney discusses eligible services and the application process, and offers tips…

Describes the development of Books for Africa, an organization that solicits donations of books in the United States and sends them to Africa, largely to school libraries, to improve literacy rates, increase library holdings, and build library shelves. Other organizations that donate books are also listed. (LRW)

Discusses ways in which libraries are using the World Wide Web to provide information via a home page, based on information from a survey in Iceland as well as a larger study that conducted content analyses of home pages of public and school libraries in 13 countries. (Author/LRW)

Describes School Librarian Links, an Internet directory developed by a school library media specialist, listing professional resources available via the Internet for school library media specialists and teachers. Highlights directory sections: acceptable use policies, curriculum links, best education sites, librarian resources, publishers and…

Describes how parent volunteers assisted in implementing the educational technology plan of public schools in Howard County, Maryland. Discusses involvement in the planning; assistance in the library media center; training; help in labs and classrooms; and assistance in technology-related staff training. (AEF)

Reports on a study of grade 6 reluctant readers, identifying factors that served as barriers to the students' voluntary reading habits, finding them varied and complex. Points to several areas in which schools can promote voluntary reading, including choices in instructional reading, opportunities to read for enjoyment, and access to high-interest…

Examines ways of evaluating school library media collections: size; checking the collection against recognized standard bibliographies; and calculating average collection age. Suggests frequency of curriculum revisions, average age of materials in standard bibliographies, and weeding guidelines as possible measures for comparison to collection…

Describes an activity to encourage book talk in children of all ages by utilizing a single symbol or object to stimulate thinking about books. Notes the activity's goals: to encourage children to think about books, encourage further reading, discover the symbolism of literary works, and better understand the creative structure of literature. (SD)

Reports on a meeting with a group of experts including Leylha Ahuile, Rene Alegria, Rueben Martinez, Diana Martinez Calice, Silvia Matute, Anne Messitte, and Teresa Mlawer from the Spanish language market for books. Topics include publishing; school and library markets; bookstores; the role of the Latino press and Latino authors; coverage in…

In this interview, a leading expert in school librarianship discusses the school librarian's role in creating students who are effective users of information. The importance of information technology to information management is described, as are strategies librarians can use to collaborate with teachers and administrators. He describes how…