The media program plays a direct and important role in the reading program in the Groton Public Schools, functioning in a close relationship with the classroom to promote student reading in several ways. The media center provides easy access to a variety of interesting materials for students to use in practicing the reading skills learned in the classroom. The media specialist, whose educational background includes a study of children's and adolescent literature, is able to provide reading guidance to the individual student and to promote the study of literature through story hours, book discussions, and the preparation of reading lists. Supplementary print and non-print materials are distributed to improve classroom instruction. Part of the media program is devoted to more effective use of media, including mass media, in the curriculum. When student interest in various topics is stimulated by television, the school media program provides materials for followup reading on these subjects. The media center serves as a stimulus to change and innovation in the classroom by introducing new programs in reading and other subject fields. (Author/SL)