Discusses the role of library media specialists in education. Highlights include assessing the effect of media specialists on learning outcomes; sexism; educational change; and strategic planning for media centers and for schools, including a paradigm shift for media specialists to assume a leadership role in the educational community. (LRW)

Considers ways to support library media specialists and information professionals in their emerging role as change agents in schools or learning communities of the future, based on fictional future scenarios. Topics include planning for change, lifelong learning, cooperation, the use of technology, and skill development. (LRW)

Describes a beginning Internet course at Mankato State University (Minnesota) designed for preservice and inservice school library media professionals and students. The course addresses the following topics: electronic mail; LISTSERVs; news services; gophering; FTP; and telneting. Other skills such as downloading and locating resources are also…

Describes the management of a learning resource center (LRC) budget. Topics discussed include controlling a budget, keeping records, managing grants, managing petty cash, responding to unexpected expenses, managing capital outlay dollars, managing insurance, balancing budgets, budget stretching strategies, and fund raising. (JLB)

Provides an activity for school library media specialists or teachers that helps students become more aware of the names of major cities and locations on the globe through the use of a variety of materials, including overhead transparencies. Directions for making transparencies from student worksheets and a cardboard template are included. (LRW)

Lists resources useful for school library media specialists and other individual users of the Internet as well as some that can be used to teach others. Titles include background and philosophical contexts, journals, network access and service providers, ERIC resources, fiction, videos, textbooks, and the U.S. Department of Education Online…

Examines the past and present state of school libraries in Namibia, with an overview of the effect of apartheid on education; and discusses present and future needs for training and equipping of libraries. Statistics, provided in seven figures, show the uneven distribution of materials to schools. (Author/AEF)

Describes a collaborative curriculum program developed by the library media specialist and classroom teachers for a sixth-grade unit on space exploration at a North Carolina elementary school. Staff development, shared activities of teachers and the library media specialist, and special activities in the library media center are described. (LRW)

Discusses the planning and implementation of a sixth-grade sleepover in a school library to celebrate National Library Week and to provide literature enrichment. Topics include student selection criteria; preparation; schedule and sample of activities; commentary and evaluation of event. Sidebars offer information on items to bring for overnight…

Implications from research suggest that library programs must be based around learning, that students' prior learning or mental models affect new learning, and that no significant learning occurs unless students are supported in their content and process learning. (Author/AEF)

Describes a study at a Michigan high school that investigated elements that contributed to a meaningful library research task. Highlights include information literacy; students' feelings of satisfaction and achievement; student questionnaires and student and teacher interviews; group work; and process instruction. (LRW)

Discusses six ways to prevent the school media center from becoming a study hall recreation area: (1) schedule learning activities; (2) add technology to work areas; (3) share space with adults; (4) minimize rules; (5) provide alternative activities; and (6) change the school climate. (Author/AEF)

Discusses "revisioning" the school library media program. Highlights include the power of school media specialists; comparisons to community businesses, including marketing, displays, themes, and materials and staff; library services and staff attitudes; and creating a new image. (AEF)

Discusses the need for school library media specialists to become more vocal advocates in the community for public education and funding, and provides resources that offer relevant information regarding the achievement of national education goals as well as advocacy resources. (LRW)

Presents a 50-year history of school library development and national educational programs in Fiji and discusses the future of Fiji's elementary and secondary school libraries. Examines obstacles to school library development including government ignorance, lack of trained librarians, changes in school curriculum, lack of financing, and high costs…