School library media specialists know that a close collaboration between the school principal and themselves is critical in the development of an exemplary school library media program, but they are often unsure of how to establish and build on that collaboration. Using "Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning," the authors present a vision for a student-centered library program, showing methods librarians can use to learn to work together with their principals and teachers to build curriculum, incorporate state and national standards and guidelines, and implement technology. Interviews and vignettes from eracticing school library media specialists and school principals give witness to the effectiveness of the program, highlighting examples of key points.

Beginning with a discussion on the principal's training and experience with the school library, the authors describe what goals he or she has in common with the school library media specialist, and how the two can develop a rapport to reach these shared goals. Wilson and Lyders explain how the media specialist can and should become a part of curriculum planning and evaluation with the principal. The involvement of the school principal in assessing and evaluating the school library is essential. Thus, working together on library public relations and outreach to the school community and Internet and technology plans increases this involvement. Wilson and Lyders also address the importance of gaining the principal's endorsement for such issues as intellectual freedom and copyright. The school library can have a powerful and positive impact on learning through the strong leadership and close realtionship of the principal and library media specialist.

This latest collaboration in the Library Programs that Inspire series explores library media center events that target the high school age audience. Detailing particular methods to inspire high school students to appreciate and use the library media center, this guide provides compelling evidence of the potential for young adult programming as an effective teaching tool. This practical guide provides everything you need to plan, execute, and evaluate events that will get the attention of even your least motivated high school students. Emphasizing the benefits of effective programs, the authors offer creative techniques to enhance the curriculum, improve school library media center use, broaden student interest, and inspire lifelong learning. Programming foundations and examples from across the nation, as well as practical advice and helpful resources, provide the necessary inspiration to help you team up with educators, parents, and student volunteers to create unique, effective, and memorable events that will motivate your teenagers to fully take advantage of all that the school library offers.

Here is everything you need to plan, execute, and assess school library events. Aside from emphasizing the benefits of effective programs, the authors offer details on providing support services to enrich programming. Several examples of successful programs from across the nation provide the necessary inspiration to create your own imaginative and memorable events-events that motivate young students to fully take advantage of media center resources.

Securing the interest of energetic, independent middle school students is one of the greatest challenges of school librarians. In this book--the third in the Library Programs That Inspire Series--acclaimed authors Patricia Potter Wilson and Roger Leslie bring you some of the best programming ideas to motivate your middle school patrons and encourage lifelong learning. Examples of successful programs from award-winning Blue Ribbon middle schools across the nation provide the necessary inspiration to create library events that will get the attention of even your least interested students. Find out which programs are most effective, innovative, and entertaining--without draining your resources and energy