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This article suggests several approaches which can be used to help students build civic knowledge skills, and attitudes at school. Certainly library media teachers (LMTS) systematically build resources to support civics, history, and government classes. Even more effective, co-curricular planning with the teachers responsible for these subjects can help an instructional team identify the common goals in California's disciplinary frameworks. When fixed library schedules limit collaboration time, realistic LMTS integrate classroom content by running a parallel curriculum in the library with minimal teacher cooperation. Moderated discussions of issues in school increase students' critical thinking communication skills, interest in politics, and even their discussion of current events outside school. When students' volunteering for local community groups and organizations is Integrated with school-organized service and core curriculum, students' civic attitudes and skills develop broadly. Participation in extracurricular high school activities builds knowledge of the First Amendment and correlates with adult citizenship behaviors.

This article discusses how school librarians can exploit Web tools to leverage teacher collaboration. Start by mapping the functions of specific tools against curricular goals and the methods that each teacher favors. Do it in a Word table or an Excel spreadsheet. Some tools synchronize with the linear sequential thinkers whose assignments live right at the bottom of the Bloom's Taxonomy. Certain teachers favor the Wal-Mart approach, where you line up the resources and leave. Other teachers believe they are teaming with you when they return their library books on time. And maybe your principal has one guiding rule for professional development: no cost. Occasionally you will be lucky and identify a kindred spirit who is thrilled with a student's unexpected achievement, is curious at just about everything, and stays in the library during a prep period to help you teach the class. Your thoughtful selection of the right free or inexpensive technology pool will pry open that collaboration door or nail that two-by-four to support a team.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of teaching a school in Denver, Colorado and how to better utilize the library and create a uniform curriculum for all classes and grades that encourages consistency in library use and research.