A Reality Check: The Challenges of Implementing Information Power in School Library Media Programs

This paper looks at how well school library media programs are realizing the mission, objectives, and challenges set by "Information Power," the national guidelines created by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communication and Technology (AECT). Teacher-librarians are struggling to realize the ideals of "Information Power" in less than ideal circumstances. To gain a broader understanding of their work and success, this paper studies 48 good library media programs in the New England region, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to ensure the perceived success of participating programs in conforming to the national guidelines. The study methods used were personal observations and a survey of library media specialists and student library media specialist interns. The paper covers the culture of schools and education reform, the context of the study, fieldwork methodology, and interpretation of the data. Recommendations and future implications are provided to help create fully integrated library media programs for the 21st century. An appendix includes the survey instrument. (Contains 23 references.) (SWC) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this A REALITY CHECK: document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING INFORMATION POWER IN SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA PROGRAMS Cheryl Ann McCarthy Graduate School of Library and Information Studies University of Rhode Island Rodman Hall, Kingston, RI 02881-0815 USA E-mail: chermc@uriacc.uri.edu.us ABSTRACT "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BYPERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY