Power Up Your Library: Creating the New Elementary School Library Program - Softcover

Goldfarb, Elizabeth K.; Greenblatt, Melinda; Strauss, Anita Phillips

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563083574 ISBN 13: 9781563083570

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 1996

Synopsis

Based on the methods of the New York City Library Power Program, this is a practical handbook for revitalizing or rebuilding the school library. Putting the many facets of the media specialist's professional life into the context of a flexibly scheduled, collaboratively planned teaching program, the book offers simple strategies for effecting positive change. It covers such topics as the librarian's role as teacher, programming, assessment, collection development, facilities, technology, the library budget, support staff, and public relations. Written for the school library media specialist who has or plans to have a library that conforms to today's vision of an effective school library media program, this book places the library media center at the heart of the school's educational program and shows how to position the library as the catalyst for school reform.

About this title

About the Author

SHEILA SALMON is Project Director, New York City Library Power Program, Fund for New York City Education.

ELIZABETH K. GOLDFARB is a library consultant who works with the New York City Library Power Program, New York.

MELINDA GREENBLATT is a library consultant who works with the New York City Library Power Program, New York.

ANITA PHILLIPS STRAUSS is Associate Director, New York City Library Power Program, New York.

Reviews

This superbly practical and thorough handbook was initially produced to help library media specialists implement the Library Power program in New York City public schools, but it is relevant to elementary school libraries nationwide. Subjects such as library administration, collection development, programming, technology, budgeting, teaching, and scheduling are discussed in the context of a flexible, collaboratively planned library program. The well-written, jargon-free text is supplemented by charts, forms, and checklists, such as a library's flexible schedule chart and a collaborative planning form. There are also useful lists and basic guides, such as "Guidelines for Weeding" for 19 Dewey classifications, 30 reference areas, and 13 nonbook formats. Twelve of the 13 chapters contain lengthy bibliographies. The appendices, primarily AASL position statements, are handy, and the index is detailed.?Ann D. Carlson, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Rosary College, River Forest, IL
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

With school libraries in deep trouble all over the country, every bit of advice and aid is appreciated. This book, an outgrowth of Library Power, a national initiative whose goal is to rebuild and revitalize school libraries, should help school librarians, even those not directly benefiting from the program. The authors, who have been instrumental in the New York City program, cover a wide range of topics, including the basics of collection development, technology, and budget as well as more personal elements, such as developing rapport with teachers and involving parents and the community in library service. Many school libraries are not staffed by professionals; this book recognizes that fact by giving quite specific how-to information, for instance, in the section on weeding the collection. Although it is directed toward the schools, public libraries will find a wealth of interesting information here as well. Ilene Cooper

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1563083574
• ISBN 13: 9781563083570
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 292
• Editor: Salmon Sheila