Research studies reveal that many administrators, classroom teachers, students, and parents have misconceptions about the role of library media specialists (LMSs) and how they impact student learning. Conversely, there is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates a strong correlation between quality school library media programs staffed by…

For many students, particularly for those who are at-risk for school failure, an emphasis on instructional strategies without including the resiliency-building factors will not increase academic achievement. Students thrive academically when instructional practices are effective and the environment in which they learn is nurturing and supporting.…

To establish a more direct link between its collections and the educational goals of Saint Xavier University, the Byrne Memorial Library has adopted a "holistic" approach to collection development. This article examines how traditional budget practices influenced the library's selection of resources and describes how holistic collection…

The reference collection traditionally rewards serendipity by presenting key resources in a compact group. At the University of Manitoba Libraries, reference collection space is at a premium and, increasingly, electronic versions of reference materials are selected for purchase. However, our space saving comes at a cost: Our patrons can't browse…

This paper presents a pilot study that examined the information seeking behaviors of Chinese graduate students at the University of Windsor. Findings on current Chinese students' perceptions, expectations, and use of library services are highlighted including implications for academic libraries to meet international students' information needs.

The cultural heritage of library collections and individual items is of importance and interest outside the profession of librarianship. This paper gives an introduction to the concept of "movable heritage" from the heritage professional's perspective and provides suggestions as to how this concept can be applied to libraries.…

This study explores how LaGuardia Community College faculty use library resources for personal research. Faculty were given a survey of library usage patterns, as well as their attitude toward the LaGuardia library and libraries in general. Findings indicate tenured faculty more likely to use the LaGuardia library than untenured faculty. (Contains…

The Education Library at Wayne State University has a long and storied history. From its beginning at the Detroit Normal School to its final merger with the general library, the Education Library has been at the heart of not only Wayne State University, but also in the development of the College of Education. This paper chronicles the history of…

This article defines the elements of Access Services, explains the importance of those aspects in the library, and proposes a course centered on Access Services for library schools. The areas of circulation, interlibrary loan, course reserves, collection maintenance, and public relations are core components of Access Services. Each of those…

In the not too distant past, libraries kept a vertical file of printed materials that typically consisted of newspaper and magazine clippings, pamphlets, brochures, maps, photographs, and sundry whatnots. Most, if not all, of these materials were irregularly published or they were not published in any official manner. They were seen as incidental…

An increasingly visible youth transgender population is emerging and the number of transgender-inclusive fiction texts for young adults is growing. Adults serving teens in schools, libraries, and community agencies must begin actively pursuing, utilizing, and incorporating these texts into resource collections. This article provides an overview of…

Today's students are fortunate enough to grow up in an environment where education is student-focused. Programs supporting the needs of students on both an educational and personal level exist. The alternative setting promotes both acceptance of the individual and appreciation of diversity. The author was overwhelmed when she became a media…

For a while, the idea of social software was something that had to be sold. Although many librarians were experimenting with it, there were a lot of concerns. Now, social software, like Library 2.1, is starting to be viewed less as a disruptive force and more as a regular part of a librarian's workflow. This article highlights a few examples that…

The results of a recently conducted Web-based survey of Access Services department supervisors are presented in this article. The survey, which was completed by 94 respondents, identified 19 core tasks completed by student assistants and further found a high overall approval of student assistant job performance. The information generated by the…

While there is no guarantee that competence in reading or writing results in competence in the other, the skills are related and research suggests that instruction in both reinforces the other. Recommendations strongly support the integration of teaching these skills. Indeed, the integration of all the language arts including speaking, listening,…