Minneapolis is a book lover's paradise. There are dozens of neighborhood bookstores, a sleek new $125 million Minneapolis Central Library, and Open Book, the nation's first facility devoted to the literary arts. No wonder it was dubbed America's most literate city last year. But one of the best-kept secrets is that Minneapolis and nearby Mankato…

Based on the findings of a recent three-year study by Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, the authors can confirm what many librarians have long suspected: students who take part in their local library's summer reading program significantly improve their reading skills. This article describes the results of…

Discusses the restructuring of the Mankato, Minnesota school media program, accomplished by merging library and technology programs. Addresses time frame; necessary equipment and resources; computer networking; scheduled in-service training; and involvement of parents, teachers, and the school board. A sidebar lists five elements vital to a…

Storytimes, lap-sit programs, and other services for young children are a major part of most public libraries' missions. According to children's librarians, these services play a significant role in preparing children for success as readers. This article discusses the positive relationship between children's services and early reading success by…

Describes the development of an information-literacy curriculum that incorporates media and technology by media specialists in the Mankato Area Public Schools (Minnesota). Topics include identifying current skills; the Big Six information-processing model; grouping skills within the model; curriculum integration; projects to replace traditional…