Librarians in many types of libraries frequently find themselves positioned as instructors in formal and informal educational settings. Librarians can help ensure that learner needs are better defined and addressed by gaining basic competency in instructional design (ID), an intentional process used to create effective, efficient educational and…

Reaching the "leadership zone" happens when librarians tap into the extraordinary skills lying within to overcome obstacles and transform sometimes-difficult situations into meaningful outcomes. Maturing into an experienced leader who stays in the leadership zone requires knowledge, training, and practice. This article provides tactical…

People see challenges to libraries in funding, in ebooks, and in the internet. However, in this information-rich age, librarians' roles are even more important. They are information experts. They know how to think about the changing information environment, and they know the impact--both positive and negative--it can have on people whose jobs…

School library media specialists at all levels have been investing long hours in preparing and implementing lessons. They try to coordinate these lessons with teachers, and, in the best-case scenario, they collaboratively plan and deliver the instruction. The missing piece is an indication of whether or not students have actually been learning.…

Throughout students' academic careers, they are required to perform a variety of speech-related activities. According to one study, students with demonstrated communication anxiety are less successful academically. Both the instructor and the librarian can contribute to assisting the student with communication anxiety. Using a variety of…

The second of a two-part series discusses the new American Association of School Librarians/Association for Educational Communication Technology guidelines for school library media programs, focusing on the final five chapters which cover (1) personnel; (2) resources and equipment; (3) facilities; (4) planning and administration; and (5) district,…

The editors of School Library Media Activities Monthly discuss the debate between advocates of a strong instructional development or design role for library media specialists and advocates of strong library media skills programs. They suggest that well-planned and interesting lessons can incorporate both library media and classroom objectives. (EM)

This paper urges teachers and librarians to join hands and make their voices heard prior to the convening of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS) in July 1991. Issues librarians should consider include how libraries can more effectively support formal literacy education; assist greater numbers of learners and…

Describes how theories of instructional involvement of school media centers were applied at 49 schools in Pulaski County Special School District, Arkansas. Practical approaches for cooperation among media specialists, teachers, and administrators in library decision making and promotion of its role to enhance student learning are discussed. (CDD)

Reviews issues cited in "A Nation at Risk" and other studies calling for educational reform, and discusses the role of libraries in general, and academic libraries in particular, in improving education in the United States. Library programs at three universities, involving information literacy, research skills, and peer counseling, are…

Explores the roles of junior and senior high school media specialists, noting differences in goals and teaching functions. Topics discussed the Regents Action Plan, interaction between junior and senior high school library media specialists, teaching functions and tactics, and the book habit/information habit. (CLB)

Suggests that media specialists can assist gifted learners by teaching them research skills, including the evaluation of information resources and how to design and carry out a plan of study, and by introducing them to good literature. Several model programs for gifted students that can be implemented in schools are described. (EM)

Arguing that utilization of the school library media center program and its accompanying resources is an essential part of the total curriculum planning process, this article discusses a set of "generic" educational principles used by the teacher and the media specialist to form the basis for their cooperative communication and planning…

This document presents a curriculum framework for Elmira City School District library media programs. Its intent is that library media specialists and teachers in all areas of instruction (Pre-K to 12) work collaboratively under the supervision of the principal to design and implement their own site-based version of this curriculum plan. This…

This guide, a supplement to the 1982 "Guide to School Library Media Programs," is intended to help library media specialists, teachers, curriculum specialists, and administrators improve instruction and school effectiveness by providing an organized approach to teaching information skills in particular content areas. It is divided into…