Raising awareness of the value of programs through publishing a library newsletter is recommended. It is suggested that besides writing about local library events one should write articles that teachers could use, as useful articles will attract more readers.

Donna Walters remembers her twenty-five years of service as a library media specialist and compares her last twenty-five years to an open book that she would like to call "All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in the Media Center". The book would carry dedications to two groups, the students, as each student is a gift from God and teachers, as they…

The Golden Rule which combines the two bodies of ethics namely Codes of Ethics (Gerhardt 1990) and Association for Educational Communications and Technology code (AECT) plays an important rule in analyzing the two codes of ethics that affect school librarianship, which is aimed to keep the patrons safe and secure. Some of the ways in which library…

Library media centers need to present the data they collect in a way that attracts funding from sources that increasingly look to quantifiable measures rather than qualitative reports before parting with money. Tips on how to compile numbers through Automatic Data Generation as well as Manual Data Generation are offered.

Collaborative individuals look for openings to work with others. The beginning of collaboration is cooperation, a willingness to adapt, to be flexible, and to help others. Cooperation opens doors to the possibility of collaboration. This article discusses what collaboration is and how teacher-librarians can make it happen in their schools.

Recently, the author participated in a conversation with several teacher-librarians about a school library remodeling project in which they were involved. The targeted libraries were in quite bad physical shape and needed extensive work; indeed, they were probably not safe. In these particular instances, not only were the libraries being…

A common stereotype of a library is that of a place wherein people are required to be quiet. However, the author prefers a noisy and active library wherein books and ideas are discussed, recommended, and shared. The author believes that speaking is inextricably intertwined with thinking, and reading requires reflection on and a response to someone…

There is much buzz about the new American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Standards, and while many library media specialists are just trying to get their minds around the innovative Skills format and accompanying Dispositions, Responsibilities and Self-Assessment Strategies, the author takes a moment to direct one's attention to the use…

Norfolk Detention School is an alternative school for juveniles under the age of 18 who are awaiting adjudication by the court and those who are awaiting transfer to another facility. This article describes the author's experience as a library media specialist in this juvenile detention school. She describes how she has promoted and encouraged…

Mentoring is defined as a professional relationship between an experienced person and inexperienced person. When newly hired library media specialists enter their schools, they often become part of the district's mentoring program. Yet, mentoring these new professionals can be problematic for school districts. In addition, when a library media…

Collaborating with teachers is a critical part of the library media center program. It is one of the most effective ways librarians can positively impact the learning of students and build relationships with teachers. Collaborative teaching is the best way for librarians to become an active part of the educational process. In this article, the…

Collaboration in the library need not always follow the standard pattern of "one" library media specialist working with "one" core teacher. Why not toss an art or drama instructor into the mix and watch the fun and excitement intensify? In this day of testing and curriculum standards, creative projects involving several staff members are too often…

In September of 2008 Scholastic Book Company donated content specific classroom libraries to one core team of sixth grade classrooms at Wentzville Middle School in the Wentzville School District. This was the first time that Scholastic had been involved in the concept of "team" libraries. The classrooms involved consisted of mathematics,…

Having a child come into the library--whether on his/her very first visit or one of many visits--means that school librarians have the incredible privilege--and responsibility--to make that child feel welcome and to support his/her learning process in every way they possibly can. Whether a child is officially labeled as being "differently able"…

Expanding on the popular, practical how-to guide for public, academic, school, and special libraries, technology expert Susan Sharpless Smith offers library instructors the confidence to take Web-based instruction into their own hands. Smith has thoroughly updated "Web-Based Instruction: A Guide for Libraries" to include new tools and…