The improvement of a professional group is due, in part, to its ability for introspection and self-evaluation. This is essentially the process of "analyzing" the profession as it currently is practiced, identifying necessary changes and improvements, and "synthesizing" or creating a new image or model of the profession to…

In the new AASL "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner," the very first Common Belief is "Reading is a window to the world." School library media specialists have always developed collections of materials (both print and non-print) to hook students in and keep them engaged in reading. They continually promote their collections to both students…

Chapters in this section of "Educational Media and Technology Yearbook" examine important trends prominent in the landscape of the school library media profession in 2001. Themes include mandated educational reform; diversity in school library resources; communication through image-text juxtaposition in Web pages; and professional development and…

Describes possible roles of the teacher-librarian in school staff development. The roles of librarians are discussed, including serving as agents for educational change and as curriculum consultants; the design of staff development programs is explained; the expansion of media center services is discussed; and marketing and public relations…

Considers the role of the library media specialist as information professional and educator as changes in the learning environment and curriculum take place. Topics include roles as information manager, curriculum consultant, teacher, and manager of an information center; leadership; change agent; staff development; and needed competencies. (LRW)

Focuses on findings from studies investigating leadership for change in schools and districts which indicate that teacher- librarians must be mirror-images of other teachers if they are to have credibility with teachers and principals. Discusses the essential characteristics of knowledge base; technical skills; personal, interpersonal and team…

This collection of 38 articles, reprinted from "Emergency Librarian," addresses critical elements of school library media program development and implementation, organized by seven areas: foundations; the school context; role clarification; information literacy; collaborative program planning and teaching; program development; and…

Describes programs developed by the Chicago School District to renovate and revitalize its school libraries. Topics include funding, other educational reforms in the district, updating library collections, updating librarians' skills, increasing budgets through grants, flexible scheduling, corporate support, relations with the Chicago Public…

Discussion of the evolving role of the school library media specialist focuses on a model of the teaching role in the development of a critical thinking curriculum. Topics addressed include literacy redefined; restructuring media programs; collection development and information access; staffing changes; and intervention and evaluation strategies.…

To gauge their feelings about the first five years under the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), school library media specialists were asked how professional roles and programs had changed, how library media programs supported specific KERA strands, and how continuing education or professional development activities had been helpful. Includes…

Compiled are keynote address, minutes of the meetings, committee reports, and a list of the 78 participants who attended the thirteenth Lake Okoboji Educational Media Leadership Conference. The keynote address advocated that the instructional technologist should employ the systems approach in making curriculum planning decisions for shifting the…

Considers ways to support library media specialists and information professionals in their emerging role as change agents in schools or learning communities of the future, based on fictional future scenarios. Topics include planning for change, lifelong learning, cooperation, the use of technology, and skill development. (LRW)

This paper focuses on a program at Marist Sisters' College, Woolwich (MSCW), an Australian secondary school, that integrates information skills into subject curriculums. A description of the school which includes its philosophy and ethnic makeup is presented to give a context for the program. The research project investigated the impact of…

Reported are the presentations, meetings, group discussions, and concerns of the delegates of the sixteenth Lake Okoboji Educational Media Leadership Conference. The keynote address examined the past, present, and emerging problems in education, and their implications for the field of instructional technology. The delegates then divided into five…

The DeWitt Wallace-Readers Digest Library Power Initiative has been instrumental in precipitating reform efforts in school libraries. National Library Power programs have strengthened the role of the school library media specialist and the school library program. The initiative emphasizes that library media specialists integrate information…