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This paper uses a meta-ethnographic approach to examine a core body of research conducted primarily by one iSchool research center that has bolstered its curriculum in support of school librarian leadership in the past decade. Substantive studies, conducted by faculty and doctoral students, have focused on various phases of leadership from pre-service to mastery with emphases on technology integration. The goal of this paper is to go beyond the traditional summarizing of the research in the area to synthesizing and reinterpreting published findings for the purpose of building a foundation on which to investigate a theoretical framework for leadership by school librarians.

In this article, the author reflects on some cuts that were presented during her term as the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President. The author developed a plan to showcase what an excellent school library program looks like so that school libraries and school librarians could escape the cuts. She asked each AASL state affiliate organization to provide the name of an outstanding school library in the state that she could visit and they could celebrate. Out of fifty states, thirty-five participated in what was named the "Vision Tour," providing the general public with a vision of outstanding school libraries. Why didn't every state participate? Some state leaders maintained they could not choose only one school in their state. The author shares her experiences from this tour.

Introduction: A legislative mandate to adopt digital textbooks in Florida provides an opportunity to identify concerns school librarians have regarding digital textbook implementation. Method: The stages of concern questionnaire was used to identify stages of concern among Florida school librarians about their potential role in this implementation. Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and the distribution of responses to each question. Questions were separated into seven separate stages, with key differences analysed using the stages of concern profiles and the analysis of variance test. Results: Results indicate that participants conform to the non-user profile, which has higher unconcerned (Stage 0), informational concerns (Stage 1) and personal concerns (Stage 2). It is also found that school librarians' restrictive schedules and heavy workloads prevent them from studying new innovations--in particular digital textbooks. Intensified personal concerns (Stage 2) suggest potential resistance to digital textbooks. Conclusions: These findings could provide librarians as educators an opportunity to establish more interest in digital textbooks and to discuss those textbooks' impact on teaching and learning. More broadly, the findings can provide some implications and recommendations to help educational policy makers and school administrators identify issues related to expanding digital textbooks.

In an effort to address the lack of empirical knowledge about the school librarians' role in technology, the Institute for Museum and Library Services funded Project Leadership-in-Action (LIA) to study leadership practices of school librarians. This current grant project includes a survey of the technology integration practices of school librarians with National Board Certification. Survey results revealed that the 295 respondents work in well-resourced libraries with personnel assistance as well as numerous computers and devices. Respondents reported that they led school technology integration in many areas but also had areas in which to improve, such as providing services to special needs learners, building digital collections, participating in student assessment, and transferring their leadership success to professional and local communities. (Contains 1 table and 6 figures.)

In this study of the Accelerated Reader (AR) program, qualitative and quantitative analyses of the relationship between the implementation of AR and student motivation and extent of reading are drawn from data collected in three schools in Scotland and England. These schools represent low (Scotland, n=53), middle (Scotland, n=40), and high (England, n=55) levels of implementation of AR. Observation, structured interviews with students and teachers, videotaped student focus groups, a student survey on self-reported reading, examination of AR artifacts, and administration of the Motivation for Reading Questionnaire are used to gather data. Major findings reveal that: motivational style interacts with gender in relation to the competitive and social aspects of the AR program; the level of program implementation does not correlate with extent of reading; and management aspects of the program are not effectively utilized. Results suggest that school library media specialists can take a leadership role in implementing the program effectively. (Contains 4 tables.)

According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (2006), "Accomplished library media specialists are instructional leaders who forge greater opportunities for learners" (55). As one of the few school personnel responsible for all students, the media specialist can serve as a coordinator and an advocate. They can ensure equitable access to information and technology for students of varying abilities and learning styles. This can be accomplished by integrating information literacy into the curriculum through collaborating and sharing instruction with teachers and providing programming that benefits all students, and may also include keeping the media center open before and after school for disadvantaged students. In this article, the author talks about school library media specialists as effective school leaders and describes leadership qualities that a library media specialist may exhibit. Although a library media specialist possesses many leadership qualities and is ready and willing to serve as a leader, he/she also needs the support of the principal in order to truly function as one. The concept of school library media specialists as effective school leaders has taken on increased professional importance and visibility throughout the library profession. Some current examples are presented.

Discusses the impending shortage of school librarians. Topics include state hiring mandates that don't require certified media specialists; certified library personnel shortages; staffing ratios; support staff; access to library education programs, including distance education via the Internet; and future concerns. (LRW)

Updates a 1994 report on school library staffing, highlighting states with the best and worst student/librarian ratios, states requiring full-time certified library media specialists, states with site-based management, states replacing librarians with technology specialists. Lists states requiring full-time specialists for elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools, regardless of size and with minimum enrollments. (PEN)

Describes a study that was conducted to determine the proportions of time high school library media specialists with and without automated circulation systems spent in various work activity categories. Use of the work sampling technique to calculate percentages of time is explained, and results are discussed in relation to "Information Power." (LRW)

The role of academic libraries and librarians in support of autistic students has been studied on a limited basis with no confirmation on how to best convey knowledge of support services most effectively. A quasi-experimental research protocol with three academic library sites and related professional development treatments enabled comparison on the impact of online training alone, online coaching combined with coaching, and existing autism support programs. Academic librarians' knowledge and attitudes, along with measures of the library's physical environment were calculated pre and post training. Results showed that coaching, combined with online instruction, is the most effective professional development strategy for increasing knowledge of academic library patrons on the autism spectrum; librarians are enthusiastic to learn more about services taking place in other academic libraries, and small changes in the library environment can be impactful. • The academic library can supplement standard support services for autistic students. • After coaching about autism, librarians recognize accessibility beyond the physical. • Training leads to shifts in attitude, though fewer immediate environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on Project Panhandle Autism Library Services (PALS) that intends to ensure success in libraries for patrons with autism. Topics mentioned include a Syracuse University Project Expanding Nondiscriminatory Access by Librarians Everywhere workshop in 2013, four online training modules from Project PALS designed to fit librarians' needs, and communication with individuals with autism.