To be efficient and effective learners in the information age, individuals must be able to engage successfully with a wide variety of information types and formats. Becoming lifelong learners in a world in which information flows freely and defies the boundaries of traditional disciplines and subject areas, children and youth in particular must…

Two fields of inquiry are examined in an effort to explicate the relationship between information literacy and self-regulation. A theoretical connection between these two areas of study is provided. Operational behaviors--such as the ability to select and use appropriate procedures during the learning process; to ask for help when at an impasse…

This paper reviews literature related to competencies and the role of school library media specialists. Highlights include the instructional or curricular role; interpersonal and communication skills; leadership and change agents; continuing education and professional development; and future possibilities for school library media education…

Examines public library services to young children and their families and the possible effects of those services on preschool learning. Topics include library-community partnerships to promote literacy; readiness to learn; and children at risk for difficulties in acquiring literacy, including socioeconomic factors and ethnic and language…

Explores the implications of selected school reforms for library media services. Topics include school-based management; school choice; home schooling; inclusion of special education students; at-risk elementary students; adolescents and middle schools; secondary school issues, including school-to-work transition, curriculum reform, distance…

This case study documents the initial implementation of "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning" that was developed by the American Association of School Librarians in 1998. Discusses introduction of the new guidelines to library media specialists, administrators, and classroom teachers, and describes the collaborative integration…

Discusses results of a grant-funded project, "Leading Young Women to the Sciences and Technology," that led to the creation of the Gender-Based Web Site Evaluation Model for selecting Web sites of high interest to young women. The model includes eight evaluation criteria related to gender. The revised model and a list of questions to assist adult…

Describes cognitive and affective characteristics of children and teenagers that may affect their Web searching behavior. Reviews literature on children's searching in online public access catalogs (OPACs) and using digital libraries. Profiles two Web search engines. Discusses some of the difficulties children have searching the Web, in the…

Describes a qualitative action research study that investigated the effectiveness of an assignment for tenth graders that required primary research methods and an essay. Topics include authentic research; constructivist theory of learning; performance-based assessment; student journals; peer editing; teacher-librarian collaboration; and student…

Describes the challenges of evaluating information faced by school library media specialists. Discusses the basic process of evaluation. Describes components of the evaluation process and several factors inherent in evaluation contexts. Presents recommendations for practice based on the summarized research. (AEF)