This report looks at the state of media literacy as seen by educators from all levels - elementary, middle, and senior high - and points to some of Cable in the Classroom's timely and useful resources. These tools can help schools empower students to become thoughtful users of media for learning and for their lives. Educators report using a…

This document constitutes the report of the activities of Memphis State University (MSU) Libraries Ad Hoc In-Service Training Committee, which was established in May 1991 to plan an entire day of training sessions for all staff in an effort to improve the quality of service given to the users of the library system. The report begins with a brief…

Describes a study that examined the perceptions of middle school principals and media coordinators in North Carolina about the role of the school library media program in the school's instructional program. National media program standards are discussed, recommendations for practice are offered, and further studies are suggested. (five references)…

Describes a survey of academic librarians that investigated issues relating to CD-ROM indexes, including print index cancellations; cost versus other factors in cancellations; database vendors' charging structure; CD-ROM durability; student preference for CD-ROM over print; and effective use without librarian assistance. (22 references) (LRW)

This study surveying the six community colleges of the City University of New York reveals that there is much room for improvement in the interrelationship between librarians and teaching faculty. More effective communication and mutual respect would enhance the educational experience for students and provide a richer learning environment.…

This paper discusses the problems and difficulties faced by school libraries in the United Kingdom (UK), specifically England and Wales. These problems are lack of funding, lack of a central role in the curriculum, lack of a central role in the management structure, and inadequate staffing. Lack of library funding stems from overall under-funding…

In order to shed further light on the state of the public school library today, a study was conducted to identify major trends in school libraries and to gain perspective on the critical issues facing school library media specialists in the coming decade. A secondary objective of the study was to uncover the attitudes and awareness level of…

This statistical analysis report from the National Center for Education Statistics examines the current state of school libraries in the United States and how they have changed. The primary source of data in this report is the 1993-94 Library Survey, the first federally sponsored survey of library media centers and head librarians in elementary…

Considers benefits and problems of electronic journals, including price increases in printed journals; time savings with electronic publishing; the increased number of potential readers; peer review and the acceptance of electronic journals for academic publishing requirements; the need for standards; access problems; and librarians' concerns,…

Provides an overview of research conducted at Victoria University of Wellington regarding differing perceptions and expectations of user communities and librarians related to the usability of digital services. Considers access to services, currency of information on the Web site, the online public access catalog, databases, electronic journals,…

Discussion of models of information skills focuses on an evaluation of the use of the PLUS (Purpose, Location, Use, and Self-Evaluation) model in a secondary school physics class in England. Topics include constructivism; mental models; brainstorming; concept-mapping; student opinions; teacher opinions; and the school librarian's perspective.…

Librarians from the University of Arizona describe the process of reorganizing from a traditional to a team-centered, user-focused organization. The reasons for reorganizing, the preliminary self-study process, the design and implementation of the new structure, staff participation and reaction, developing staff teamwork, and advice for other…

Reports the results of a survey of librarian job satisfaction that covered librarians' perceptions of their jobs, compensation and benefits, advancement opportunities, and technological challenges. Statistics on average salaries, benefits, salaries by gender, advancement opportunities, and staff cuts are presented by library type. Gender…

Five of the world's largest libraries have joined Google in a herculean effort to digitize millions of books and make every sentence searchable. The project involves libraries at Harvard and Stanford Universities, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the University of Oxford, in England, as well as the New York Public Library. It could…

The author examines the evolution of the current Australian demographic and its implications for the delivery of public library services. The "baby boomers", the generation born between 1946 and 1961, are the next cohort to be seriously in need of housebound services, and the characteristics and likely needs of this group are considered…