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Contains six articles that cover topics related to instructional technology in school library media centers, including: impact on student achievement; data collection for program evaluation; integrating national and state standards; library media specialist collaboration with educational technologists; a professional development model; and online catalogs. Each article contains references. (MES)

Kathy Ruhmann lives in a part of southern Illinois where you can't find another certified library media specialist even if you hunt for one. Despite a state mandate, Ruhmann is [...]

According to the latest research, the shortage of school librarians is becoming a national crisis MANY SCHOOL LIBRARIANS WHO ENTERED THE FIELD IN THE 1960S ARE ALMOST READY TO RETIRE. [...]

When it comes to enlarging electronic images, there is nothing like a data projector AS MORE AND MORE LIBRARIANS USE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION IN their teaching lessons, a once-familiar dilemma has [...]

The article describes major international professional organizations pertaining to school librarians, and discusses the rewarding opportunities they offer to them. Topics mentioned include the offerings of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) including an online professional development library and country profiles related to school libraries, and the professional learning networks of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

The Children's Literature Web Guide Still need proof that technology can make your teaching life easier, richer, and more fun? The Children's Literature Web Guide is a wonderful example of [...]

The article expresses the author's perspectives concerning the issues of school library closings, layoffs and reassignment of school librarians among school libraries in the U.S. The author mentions the efforts of American Association of School Librarians (AASL) to developed a plan to showcase and improve school library programs and outstanding school library service. It also notes on the services and educational programs for school librarians.

The article presents the author's views on the fundamental qualities of American Association of School Librarians (AASL). She highlights the initiatives developed by AASL for members to stay connected which include the Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting, the AASL's website, and communication using the AASL Blog and Facebook group. She also adds that AASL is an organization that values collective responsibility as reflected by the presence of task forces created to maximize member value.

The article discusses how school library media specialist become an effective school leader in the U.S. According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the accomplished library media specialists are instructional leaders who make greater opportunities for learners. They serve as the technology leader in the school by giving staff development and modeling ethical and important application of technology.

The article presents the issue on research into practice in the U.S. School libraries in the U.S. have been trying out and funded such development for model libraries in which the model shows profession that result into roadblocks that will remove the advocated vision of the organization. The libraries model will serve as the practicum sites for future schools for librarians and observation sites for administrator teams.

The article focuses on building an effective school library media center using the Student Learning through Ohio School Libraries research study. When researchers Ross Todd and Carol Kuhlthau designed the Student Learning through Ohio School Libraries Study they asked students how school libraries benefit them. Two Web-based survey instruments were used to collect data. The Impacts on Learning survey was available for third through twelfth-grade students to identify how the library has helped them with their learning.

Provides information on the Pew Internet and American Life Project, a source for timely research reports on Internet use. Creation and funding of original, academic-quality research that explores the impact of the Internet on children, families, communities, the workplace, schools and civic/political life; Examination of how students felt about their own Internet use in and for school in the project "The Digital Connect: The Widening Gap Between Internet-Savvy Students and Their Schools".

Focuses on the steps that many states are taking to halt the rising shortage of school librarians. Statistics on librarian shortages in the U.S.; Efforts of many states to expedite the librarian certification process; Scholarships; Task forces created by the American Library Association and the American Association of School Librarians to address librarian recruitment.

Presents the results of the 1998 School Library Staffing Survey. Areas in the United States that have the best student-librarian ratio; States with one of the worst student-librarian ratios for 1998; Library media specialist and librarian requirements of states. INSETS: Where are the jobs?;Prescription for better staffing: States that require...;The Mississippi miracle.

Presents steps for evaluating Internet resources. Worksheet for Web page evaluation; Bibliography for evaluating Internet resources.

Internet access in schools should be provided via the school library media center. School library media specialists have sets of skills that allow the connection to the Internet to be made and utilized to its full potential. These skills include technical expertise in establishing and maintaining networks, experience in promoting and integrating new technologies in the educational process, and the ability to identify and evaluate information resources. Additionally, school library media specialists have knowledge and training in dealing with the issues of censorship and equity of access that accompany use of the Internet by school children.

The article focuses on the programs offered by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the American Library Association (ALA) designed to promote and defend intellectual freedom in the U.S. As an AASL member, one can have access to the support and resources of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). It ranges from programs at conferences to legal assistance to toolkits. Both organizations also offer the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award.

The article identifies and disseminates successful practices in school library media centers that support school reform efforts to improve student learning and achievement. According to the 1991 Carnegie Foundation report Ready to Learn, 35 percent of children in the United States enter public schools with such low levels of skills and motivation that they are at substantial risk for early academic difficulties. Social class differences are reflected in children's academic skills at the very beginning of school, and individual differences in school performance are stable from kindergarten to high school.

The article identifies and disseminates successful practices in school library media centers that support school reform efforts to improve student learning and achievement. According to the 1991 Carnegie Foundation report Ready to Learn, 35 percent of children in the United States enter public schools with such low levels of skills and motivation that they are at substantial risk for early academic difficulties. Social class differences are reflected in children's academic skills at the very beginning of school, and individual differences in school performance are stable from kindergarten to high school.

Explains the goal of the "Research into Practice" which is a group tasked with identifying and disseminating successful practices in school library media centers that support school reform efforts to improve student learning and achievement in the United States. Members of the Task Force; Use of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification to improve low-performing schools; Advice to National Board Certification candidates teaching in low-performing schools.

Focuses on the Electronic Bookshelf, a software program for school reading management. Checking of student comprehension; Enrichment of the curriculum; Security features of the software; Development of reading lists for different subjects; Availability of starter kits; Program advantages. INSETS: Health reading list.;Tips for running a successful program..

Compares matched pairs of media specialists to determine the proportions of their time spent in various categories of work activity. Work sampling; Effect of an automated circulation system; Survey categories.

Examines the reliability of Web awards in the United States. Use of the results for recommendation purposes; Factors used in determining whether an award is reliable; Information on the awards called Too Cool School House Educational Site of the Week, Web 100, Point of Top 5% and Hot Shots Award; Author's procedures in searching for Web awards available.

Offers a few suggestions for library applications for Broderbund Software's computer software, Print Shop Deluxe. Features and capabilities; Process of creating a sign announcing library hours; Dozens of uses in the library for the greeting card option; Customized stationary.

The article describes the author's experience on attending Sunday school as a child. It focuses on the impact of strict rules regarding attendance on her, noting how small events have so much effect on her. The author enumerates several scenarios in a library wherein student's love for reading is being discouraged including labeling of books, library decorations, and borrowing restrictions. Information on the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in San Diego, California are provided.

The article offers information on the ways students with disabilities are served at various school libraries. It states that some school libraries are using free text readers such as NaturalReader, located at www.naturalreaders.com, or Bookshare, located at bookshare.org, while others integrate personal response systems. Some libraries places signs in Braille and the facilities can be accessed to those in wheelchairs.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses how information inquiry can be a strong ground for science teachers and school librarians, one by Marcia Mardis on the relationship of science resources to school librarians, and one by Barbara Schultz-Jones on the optimal learning environments of science teachers and school librarians.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses an article on becoming a National Board Certified School Librarian by Aaron Elkins, the possibility to mentor future candidates or serve as an assessor for the National Board by Ann Marie Pipkin and the idea of pursuing doctor of philosophy degree to teach others about a beloved field by Daniella Smith and Melissa P. Johnston in the U.S.

This article focuses on the use of Internet for research and homework in school library media. Students turn first to commercial search engines, such as Yahoo and Google. In an effort to control "Googling," teachers tend to require that students use some print resources for school assignments. Searches for required curriculum-related materials are called "imposed queries," since they are mandated by adults rather than self-initiated by the child. At the upper level, self-generated transactions accounted for only 50.0 to 62.5 percent of student circulation transactions.

Identifies the criteria school librarians must use to evaluate World Wide Web sites. Checking currency of data on the Web site; Assessment of content and information; Investigating the site's authors; Ease of navigation; Use of graphics, sound, and video in achieving an attractive site; Downloading speed.

Discusses how school librarians in Pennsylvania were trying to introduce their students to resources on the state's online college catalogs. How one librarian tried to help; Technical information; Locational skills; Creating bibliographies; Other ways in which students need to work independently.

The article focuses on defunding of school librarian positions in California by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). After this elimination, 32 schools among 700 will have full-time school librarians. Students with library teachers get better grades, learn more and have high scores as the teachers teach them Internet, conduct independent study and encourages reading.

Reports on how Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, encourages residents to log-on to its online catalog known as Library Information Access System (LIAS). Availability of the resources; Access to catalog.

Features ways to use the World Wide Web to support reading in the classroom. Access to Internet Public Library's Story Hour; Use of Book Nook, database of book reviews; Web sites dedicated to authors; Web site of Wishbone, a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) series that encourages reading.