The brain is a complex organ and learning is a complex process. While there is not complete agreement among researchers about brain-based learning and its direct connection to neuroscience, knowledge about the brain as well as the examination of cognitive psychology, anthropology, professional experience, and educational research can provide direction for best practices of teaching and learning in the school library media center (Bruer 1999; Brandt 1999; Perry 2003). This article examines research on prior knowledge and suggests ways that the library media specialist can help students make active connections between prior and new knowledge. Strategies such as advance organizers, cognitive mapping, and graphic organizers that can enable students to make connections are described.