This overview of state requirements for school library media certification discusses the use by some states of competency-based requirements and/or standardized tests, and the standards proposed in "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs" (ALA, 1988). A table presents information on individual states and a directory of…

Surveys the historical development of automated technical processing in schools and notes the impact of this automation in a number of cases. Speculations about the future involvement of school libraries in automated processing and networking are included. Thirty references are listed. (BBM)

Suggests directions for improving school library services to Native Americans by examining three areas: important events in library development since 1950s; Native Americans' perceived needs for information (specifically in Arizona); four proposed roles which reservation-based library media specialist can assume to help eliminate educational…

Reviews the literature for studies conducted in the United States and in Canada on the use of magazines in elementary school libraries, and describes a study of Oklahoma schools that investigated titles most frequently used by children. Results are reported that indicate most use is for pleasure reading. (six references) (LRW)

Discusses events and trends involving libraries in the 1980s, including: "The Satanic Verses"; censorship of children's literature; educational reform; funding, fees, salaries, programs, and preservation in public libraries; the literacy movement; school libraries; the international library scene; status of the profession; book and…

Discusses research on censorship attempts that occurred in schools and school libraries over the last decade, including studies that considered types of materials targeted, by whom, and with what results. The increase in school censorship and the problem of the often unclear use of the term censorship are discussed. (EM)

Summarizes the findings of studies that indicate serious deficiencies in the reading, writing, and basic information skills of American students. Possible causes are discussed including the lack of effectiveness of teaching methods and instructional materials. It is argued that the school library offers the best hope for creating a culturally…

Discussion of the role of the media specialist as a teacher summarizes 10 major elements of the inquiry approach to teaching and learning and seven areas of the school media center's commitment (networking, flexibility, cooperation, concentration, financing, community, and encouragement). Discovery learning research and program implementation are…

Briefly discusses types of software available for library and media center operations and library instruction, suggests three sources of software reviews, and describes almost 50 specific application programs available for bibliographic management, cataloging, circulation, inventory and purchasing, readability, and teaching library skills in…

Suggests strategies for improving communications between school media specialists and teachers as a means of establishing a better working relationship and improving library collections and services. An outline of a proposed four-day media specialist/teacher workshop is provided as well as six references and three sources of additional…

Discusses library applications of several specific CD-ROM products, including library catalogs, book reviews, databases, encyclopedias, and interactive video programs. Such factors as cost effectiveness, ease of use, and user satisfaction are discussed, and a bibliography of books about CD-ROM is provided. (CLB)

Discusses various aspects of home schooling, including reasons that parents choose home schooling, two major schools of thought on home education, historical perspectives, and legal issues. The role of the public library is examined and some services offered to home schoolers are described. A bibliography of books for parents is provided. (10…

Focuses on the socio-economic, cultural, and informational needs of Hispanic Americans based on demographics taken from the 1980 census. The development of bilingual education and the role of the library in developing programs which best serve the Spanish-speaking community and its youth are also covered. A four-item bibliography is included. (EJS)

Recommends that libraries include conservative 'Moral Majority' as well as liberal views of human sexuality in their acquisition of books for young adults to provide a balanced collection and blunt atttempts to limit academic freedom through censorship. Five 'New Right' choices are reviewed. (RAA)

Describes features of several kinds of research in library science, sociology, education, and literature that focus on children's literature. Examples of studies in these fields are summarized, and the subject of child abuse in children's books is used as an example of current research. (32 references) (MES)