School Library Media Centers In The United States

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 and secondary schools. The data taken from the 1993-94 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) are compared with historical data from previous surveys. Results, in tables and charts, are divided into two sections. The first section gives a background on school library media centers and results are presented in terms of growth in school library media centers, library media center staffing, expenditures, collections and resource evaluation, technology and equipment, and scheduling and transactions. The second section focuses on school head librarians, and provides results in current status, background and experience, training, collaborative activities, perception and attitude toward work, compensation, and number of FTE positions. Appendices include detailed tables, and technical notes focusing on survey content, target populations and estimates, sample design and implementation, data collection procedures, response rates, edit procedures, imputation, weighting, and definitions. (AEF)

This is the most comprehensive textbook on school library administration available, now updated to include the latest standards and address new technologies. This reference text provides a complete instructional overview of the workings of the library media center—from the basics of administration, budgeting, facilities management, organization, selection of materials, and staffing to explanations on how to promote information literacy and the value of digital tools like blogs, wikis, and podcasting. Since the publication of the fourth edition of Administering the School Library Media Center in 2004, many changes have altered the landscape of school library administration: the implementation of NCLB legislation and the revision of AASL standards, just to mention two. The book is divided into 14 chapters, each devoted to a major topic in school library media management. This latest edition gives media specialists a roadmap for designing a school library that is functional and intellectually stimulating, while leading sources provide guidance for further research.