LISNews: Librarian News

The Washington Times has this story on outdated school libraries.
\"Browse a typical school library and you\'ll learn that humans haven\'t yet set foot on the moon and \"stewardesses\" must quit working when they get married.
Although the latest research indicates that a well-stocked and well-staffed school library actually boosts students\' scores on standardized tests, many school libraries contain books that are outdated by decades and often filled with offensive stereotypes.\" -- Read More

This release from the U.S. Newswire talks about new studies that reveal that school libraries have beneficial effects on students\' performances in school. If this is so, then why don\'t they get the funding from the government that they deserve?
\"Want to raise students\'
test scores? Three new studies -- from Pennsylvania, Alaska,
and Colorado -- confirm that the secret to boosting students\'
academic performance is right down the hall in the school library.

But will school libraries get their just rewards as the Senate
begins debating the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
today?

School libraries last received dedicated federal dollars in the
1960s. Today, the average U.S. school library gets $6 per pupil
per year from federal block grants.

\"That pays for less than half a book,\" notes Emily Sheketoff,
executive director of the American Library Association\'s Washington
office. \"If a dot com could show the results school libraries
do, its stock price would soar.\" -- Read More

The News Press in Florida, has a
great look at school libraries.

“On the Internet, you can just type it in and it will
find it for you,” Congregane said. “You can do it right at
home, you don’t have to go out to the library to get
information.”

Educators have mixed opinions about how the Internet
and other technology are used in schools.

Overall, what the Internet means is that the role of the
school library has changed. \" -- Read More

US Senator Jack Reed has introduced a bill to provide $275
million in funding to school libraries to purchase new
reference materials. S.1262, the Elementary and Secondary
School Library Media Resources, Training and Advanced
Technology Assistance Act, would provide critical funding
for school libraries and increase student access to the most
up-to-date library materials. You can even submit
examples of out-of-date reference books in your school
library Here.
The School Library Bill Page is at reed.senate.gov -- Read More