Libraries and Student Achievement Look it up: High-quality school library programs lead to better achievement [From eSchool News] This is an extensive report on the research about the connection between school libraries and student achievement. It includes lots of quotes and anecdotes from "information specialists" and administrators from around the U.S. It's a good overview and a source for data on this subject. 7:29:51 AM     [comment []];[]

Classroom Gadgets Schools grapple with rules on classroom gadgets [From eSchool News staff and wire service reports October 3, 2003] Here we are back at at one of my themes -- how are we (teachers, librarians, parents, adults) dealing with the emerging technologies that our students are embracing so quickly? This article says that some schools still have a complete ban on cell phones! I admit that I send kids out of the library if their phones ring, but only to try and be consistent with my "keep the noise down" rule, not because I think they shouldn't have them. (I do wonder, though, who is calling them in the middle of the school day.) PDA's, phones and calculators with wireless connections are all here and being used. How do we incorporate them in the classroom, and how do we set sensible guidelines for their use? 7:15:08 AM     [comment []];[]

Bringing Up Readers Putting the fun into reading [BBC News] [Library Link of the Day] This one fits in with what most school librarians would say -- give them lots of books, read to them, let them see you reading, let them read what they like, and they will become readers. 6:33:06 AM     [comment []];[]

Eragon Finding a Middle Earth in Montana. Christopher Paolini was only 15 when he wrote his fantasy novel "Eragon," which is now outselling four of the five Harry Potter books. By Dinitia Smith. [New York Times: Books] Here's an author I would love to meet, and a book I'll have to look into. 6:25:55 AM     [comment []];[]