ERIC Number: ED412955
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997
Pages: 11
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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Library Power as a Vehicle for the Evolution of Change.
Tastad, Shirley; Tallman, Julie
The DeWitt Wallace-Readers Digest Library Power Initiative has been instrumental in precipitating reform efforts in school libraries. National Library Power programs have strengthened the role of the school library media specialist and the school library program. The initiative emphasizes that library media specialists integrate information literacy skills throughout the curriculum. Library Power has attempted to change the perceived role of the media specialist as a "keeper of the books" to that of teaching partner, leader, and advocate for student achievement. In Library Power schools, principals, library media specialists, teachers, students, parents and the community assume significant roles in the evolution of change. This paper describes a study of two elementary schools in a large urban school district in the southeastern United States which are a part of the National Library Power Program. Data collected over a three-year period beginning in the fall of 1994 included interviews with key personnel in the Library Power initiative, participant observations, written documentation, and a survey instrument on the collaborative planning activities of media specialists. The paper discusses developing a stronger curricular role for the media specialist; strengthening the role of the principal as facilitator; developing learning-centered libraries; developing a school culture to sustain reform; developing community involvement; and study implications. (Contains 28 references.) (SWC)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
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Language: English
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