The Emerging School Library Media Center: Historical Issues and Perspectives

The school library media center is a relatively recent phenomenon. Its development throughout the 20th century has not always been predictable or peaceful, but neither has it been static or dull. Through personal and objective perspectives, this book relates the often turbulent history of the school library movement to times of rapid change. The authors address the mission of the school library program and how its realization has been shaped by professional organizations, standards and guidelines, accreditation associations, the education of library media specialists, collection development, evaluation, instruction, research, and technology applications. The relationship of the program to educational paradigms and to local, national, and international partnerships is also discussed. Students and instructors in school library media programs will find this work essential, and practicing library media specialists will find it a fascinating professional read.