Discusses the importance of fostering learning communities in today's school reform movement and the potential role of the school library media specialist as a leader in building collaborative networks with classroom teachers. Highlights include a comparison of traditional and collaborative models; linking collaboration and leadership; and…

Explains the use of Web-based software for communication between classroom teachers and school library media specialists. Discusses threaded discussion forums; experiences using that forum by the AASL (American Association of School Librarians) at the American Library Association (ALA) preconference; and forum software. (LRW)

Discusses the role of the school library media specialist in standards-based learning. Topics include standards-based assessment; information literacy standards; collaboration with classroom teachers; benchmarks and indicators for student performance; leadership in a standards-based climate; and the use of technology to support curriculum and…

Discusses the need for professional development opportunities for school library media specialists and describes the development of a workshop in Georgia for new media specialists. Includes the roles and responsibilities of media specialists, including collaboration with teachers; and decision-making responsibilities. (LRW)

Discusses the importance of collaboration between the school library media specialists and classroom teachers from a principal's perspective. Topics include the problems with traditional scheduled library visits; media specialist as teacher; principals' expectations of teachers and media specialists; and barriers to successful collaboration. (LRW)

Discusses instructional collaboration between school library media specialists and classroom teachers based on school interviews in California. Highlights include curricular standards; persistence and perseverance; recruiting student teachers to become involved; and districtwide or schoolwide expectations. (LRW)

Presents six conversations between school library media specialists and teachers that are based on true stories involving collaboration. Discusses pressures to relinquish individuality in lesson plans; planning; curriculum development; and child development classes and preschool programs. (LRW)

Discusses the role of school library media specialists (SLMS), the trend toward constructivism, "Information Power" and SLMS, and helping science teachers meet the National Science Education Standards. Includes relevant Web links and a bibliography of works concerning SLMS and science teachers. (LRW)

Discusses findings of six recent studies on the impact of school libraries on student performance. The findings concern: (1) school library development; (2) leadership and collaboration activities that foster information literacy; and (3) the use of instructional technology to extend the reach of the library program beyond the walls of the school…

Describes changes brought about by a Library Power initiative at an inner city magnet school in Chattanooga (Tennessee). Highlights include: Library Power beliefs; collaborative planning between the library media specialist and teachers; the new role of the library media specialist as an information specialist, teacher, and instructional…

Discusses why school administrators have not heard about the difference libraries make in student achievement (e.g., stereotypes of libraries and librarians, lack of attention to library programs in teacher/administrator training, the absorbability and invisibility of library work) and how to make changes in order to draw benefits from school…

This bibliography lists materials on school libraries, organized in the following sections: (1) Evidence that Quality School Library Media Programs Positively Affect Student Achievement; (2) Evidence and Arguments that Collaboration Pays Dividends; (3) Evidence and Arguments that Administrative Leadership Is Key in Developing Quality Library Media…

Provides an annotated bibliography of publications related to resource-based learning, which is defined as a student-centered learning environment grounded in learning theory in which the teacher and the library-media specialist collaborate to help students with information needs, information retrieval, analyzing and synthesizing the information,…

Discusses the role of the school library media specialist in student assessment. Topics include guidelines in "Information Power" (1998, American Library Association); formative and summative assessment; the role of classroom teachers and students; collaboration between teachers and media specialists; and the evaluation of…

Discussion of library media specialists and technological change focuses on the use of the World Wide Web. Highlights include teaching and learning issues; roles of the library media specialist, including teacher and instructional partner; designing Web sites; and student-created Web pages. (LRW)