Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that school libraries and media centers within the library are becoming more important to the overall operations and provision of services for patrons. The writer points out that in an effort to modernize programs at school libraries, a great deal of technological investment and automation is necessary. The writer maintains that a fully integrated library will serve to provide optimal space and atmosphere for patrons, in addition to modern equipment and facilities to promote functionality and the retrieval of information. The writer argues that the primary goal for school libraries should be to make the transition from book archive to a one-stop learning center for all student needs.

Outline:
The Function of the Library
Services Provided by the Library
The Role of the Library Media Specialist

From the Paper
"The difficult task for many school libraries is outlining what services will support the ultimate function for the community and the student body. It is important to note that whichever plan of action is used in facilitating learning, the primary goal is to have readily accessible information for patrons. Historically, school libraries have become obsolete in its provisions of fresh resources. Although automated services such as the Dewey Decimal System create a user friendly and automated system for library books, it is important to note that automation is key for media services, and that the integration with the book system and computer databases is a paramount priority.

"According to the Literacy Partners, providing user friendly access for students and staff that is appropriate for student development and features diversity in perspective, format and interest. In other words, accountability for flexible learning is becoming more prevalent for library and media services institutions and staff."

Tags:learning, students, workspace, information

Abstract
In this article, the writer analyzes the functions of libraries for students and teachers. The writer maintains that the primary goal for school libraries should be to make the transition from book archive to the one-stop learning center for all student needs.

From the Paper
"School libraries and media centers within the library are becoming more important to the overall operations and provision of services for patrons. In an effort to modernize programs at school libraries, a great deal of technological investment and automation is necessary. A fully integrated library will serve to provide optimal space and atmosphere for patrons, in addition to modern equipment and facilities to promote functionality and the retrieval of information."

Tags:functions, library, media, centers

Abstract
The paper describes the components of the automated library system as well as their possible configurations. The paper points out that the key personnel involved in determining the nitty-gritty requirements of the automation are the school librarians and the library staff. The paper points out that the library media specialist must be able to guide the user on doing a proper meta search, and therefore he/she must continually study and train to meet the growing demands of emerging information technologies.

From the Paper
"Like any endeavour dealing with the utilization of information technology, the development and implementation of the automated library system will require the basic components of information systems. These components include the hardware comprising the computers (i.e. mainframe, client-server, PCs) and peripherals thereof. The software components include the operating systems running the computers and the various applications program automating the business processes of the library system. Without communications and connectivity, the sending and receiving of data and information will not be possible; thus, network facilities are established too in order to enable data transfer. The key component of library automated system is the data stored in the system. These can be books, periodicals, journals and other like matters in digital format. Without this type of data, the system is any generic information system and not an automated library system. People, whether the users or the business process owners of the library system, are key components too because these are the ones that will be using the system and the library media specialists providing the service.
"Deployment of an automated system no matter how rapid or expedited it is entails cost. In the case of school libraries, decision-makers must choose the right fit for the school library systems and the right fit usually is dependent on the available budget allocated. The main focus on deploying an automated system for a school library is to look at the available options and designs before finally deciding on what is best given the budget and the situation."

Tags:configurations, applications, hardware

Abstract
The paper discusses how tribal libraries are a relatively recent development and looks at the state of libraries on reservations across the country. The paper looks at an interview with the library media specialist at the Native Media Center and shows how the recruitment of native people into librarianship and the continuing development of libraries on reservations is an ongoing challenge. The paper posits that making library services available to Native Americans is important in preserving and propagating their long history.

From the Paper
"Nearly two million Americans identified themselves as Native American during the United States census in 1990. One third of those people reside on over 300 Indian reservation while the remaining live in urban or rural settings. When compared to the total population in the United States, there were more young Indians, under the age of 10, and fewer older Indians, 70 years and older. Fewer Indians 16 years and older were likely to be employed; and, if employed, they were more apt to work in service areas, farming, forestry, fishing, production, or as operators/laborers. For every $100 in income that a family in the general U.S. population receives, Indian families receive $62. Almost one out of every three American Indians lives below the poverty level. A smaller amount of American Indians graduate from high school compared to the general population. Fewer hold bachelor's degrees or advanced degrees and yet, while many in the Indian population are facing socioeconomic stresses, currently there is a growing cultural and educational renaissance taking place (Roy, n.d.).
"Indians are starting to rediscover their culture by establishing genealogy records, reading and inventing literature, reclaiming their Native languages, and becoming involved with political and social issues. They are doing this by engaging in natural resource management, reclamation and reburial of human remains, and protection of treaty rights. This rebirth is due in part to the work of the American Indian library community, which has labored for many years to find support for Native American educational needs (Roy, n.d.)."

Tags:reservations, tribes, Indians, funding, librarians

Abstract
This paper examines how a middle school library can support, motivate and initiate service learning opportunities with the students and staff. The paper outlines the service learning activities and the need to create social learning activities.

Tags:middle, school, library, students, and, staff

Abstract
The paper discusses the American Library Association's specific responsibilities for library media specialists that include four major duties of a teacher, instructional partner, leader and program administrator. The paper also looks at difficulties that library media specialists face and argues that continuing education is essential for library media specialists to keep up to date and learn the essentials for helping students become knowledgeable learners. The paper asserts that without the time and resources for continuing education, library media specialists will fall further behind in their ability to meet the goals of the school system, teachers and students. The paper provides an glossary of relevant technological terms. The paper also includes a short essay on information retrieval (IR), the science of searching for documents or for information within documents.

From the Paper
"The book Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (IP2, 1998) published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), clearly describes how learning communities can be created in the school library to ensure that students will be adequately prepared for the information age. The book lists nine principles or standards that should be included in the school's curriculum and that should distinguish an information-literate student or "one who masters the lifelong skills enabling him or her to become a discerning and effective user of information" (p. 18). According to the guidelines, a student needs to be able to do more than access information."

Tags:information, retrieval, technology, print, Internet

Abstract
The paper reviews the literature that highlights the importance of a staffed library for the school and the education of students. The paper outlines the costs of a library and how it should be run. The paper concludes that the library is the central and dynamic core of education when the library is fully and effectively equipped for that role.

Outline:
Introduction
Review of Literature
Costs for Proposed Library
Best Practice
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"The work of Aase Bredsdorff (1979) entitled: "Practical Aspects of School Library Legislation" states that school legislation is plenty existent in the majority of countries however, while library legislation may be found, school library legislation, is little in existence resulting in the school libraries stated to be "the weakest in many library systems." It is additionally noted that "a strong case to be made for a legal requirement" regarding library establishment in "all recognized schools and vocational colleges" may be made.(Bredsdorff, 1979) The model that one may look to for an example of just such a library system is found in the countries of Denmark, Norway, and other aforementioned Nordic countries. Legislation such as these holds the school library to be a 'key' tool for teaching including literature of young children and young people."

Tags:staff, resources, books, media

Abstract
This paper asserts that, by using strong emotional messages, the media initially helped fuel an already present surge in support for the War in Iraq immediately following 9/11; likewise, the media has helped cause a gradual decrease in public support by priming audiences with discouraging information. The paper presents the findings from the literature review, which focuses on factors of the media effect, Cho's theory, Ladd's theory and studies from the Media Research Center. The paper concludes that the media is sending negative messages regarding the War in Iraq and suggests that audiences not rely entirely on the media for their opinions regarding political issues.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literature Review
Findings
Priming vs. Rallying
Source of Political Information (Cho's Theory)
Political Awareness (Ladd's Theory)
MRC Studies
Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper
"A combination of Ladd's rallying effect and Cho's "television effect" help explain strong support for the War in Iraq in the time shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center. As discussed, the rallying effect is the intense swing in public opinion, usually in support of leadership, after any national crisis. Clearly this would be present after the World Trade Center attacks as they were the first on American soil since Pearl Harbor. The American public felt threatened, vengeful, and, most importantly, unified in support for military action in retaliation against the executers of the attack."

Tags:terrorist priming rallying awareness, television effect

Abstract
This paper details the history, as well as the curriculum, of the McFadden Elementary School, near Nashville, TN. This particular school also provides a magnet program which is geared towards academic excellence, in addition to its standard curriculum program. The writer of this paper discusses the school's accelerated academic programs in the areas of reading, art, guidance, music and physical education. This paper also focuses on the academic benefits of this and other magnet programs. The benefit of this particular program is that it permits the students to go through the regular courses of study, while at the same time they obtain special experiences in the skills of written, oral and visual communications. This paper examines the school's goal of maintaining a high ratio of teachers to students. The writer delves into the various resources made available to this particular school. Each teacher at the McFadden school has an advanced multimedia center, as well as numerous computers stations available for the students. This paper also cites the results of an interview with an elementary school principal in California. This paper explores the difficulties in communication between parents and faculty, as detailed by the principal. This paper discusses the various problems facing the education system today, including the fact that schools are becoming more like businesses, where increasing efficiency is the top priority, above academic achievement.

From the Paper
"The matters which parents have to find out from the students are regarding their friends, and the reason why these other children have developed into friends, and at the same time whether the child considers that he is also a good friend in turn. The next question to be considered is the values that are being taught by the family. This is difficult for many parents to talk to children as their parents keep changing their priorities every day. That is for the comparatively poor students whereas the rich students really do not know what is important for the family. This has to be known to the child. The third serious matter today is regarding the use of drugs, and they have to be restricted to only prescription drugs. Along with this is the use of tobacco as children often see adults smoking outside, but they have to be told that this is not good for them. This has to be clearly told to them. The other problem that the parents have to inform the children is regarding the development from a child to an adult, and this does not happen overnight."

Tags:magnet, education, accelerated, academics, politics, faculty, communication

Abstract
This paper examines the contents of the Shoemaker and Reese's book which focuses on the media industry. This paper details the authors' methodology, their purposes, views on mass media, theories as well as their criticism of traditional media research that centers on the medium rather than the actual content. This paper discusses how and why demographic and geographical patterns are researched and how they are used to target specific audiences. This paper also delves into the manner in which media content is formed and created.

From the Paper
"How media content is formed and covered provides the framework for "Mediating the Message: Theories of Influence on Mass Media Content" by Pamela J. Shoemaker and Stephen D. Reese. The focus of is on the history of the study and theory of media content, the traditional focus of communications research, a general analysis of media content and patterns of content such as the impact of political bias and demographic and geographical patterns."

Tags:Media, Content, Theories, Shoemaker, Reese, Message, Methodology, Research