Library and Information Science Commons^™

Janesville Csd K-12 School Library: A Facility Design And Development Study, Christine Jacobs

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to research the planning procedures undertaken during the design and development of the Janesville Consolidated School District's K-12 School library facility. This research focused on the importance of building a new K-12 school library, in a small rural school setting, while emphasis on the planning procedures and the analysis of its layout/design, and overall effectiveness.

The methodology the researcher used for this study was a narrative design, in order to collect data that occurred over twelve months. The researcher interviewed fourteen key stakeholders that had adequate experience and/or a leadership role regarding the facility …

School Librarians Are Teachers Too!: University Of Northern Iowa Teacher Education Majors And Their Perceptions Of The Role Of The School Librarian, Colleen Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

The problem identified by this research is students in the University of Northern Iowa’s teacher education preparatory programs may not understand the role of the school librarian as a teacher and instructional partner. This research was a quantitative investigation into the perceptions of undergraduate students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program at the University of Northern Iowa regarding the role of the school librarian.

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Federated Search Products On Library Instruction Using The Acrl Standards, Christopher N. Cox

Library Faculty/Staff Publications

Federated search products are becoming more and more prevalent in academic libraries. What are the implications of this phenomenon for instruction librarians? An analysis of federated search products using the “Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education” and a thorough review of the literature offer insight concerning whether these tools will have an impact on student information literacy and, in turn, what we emphasize in the classroom.

The Depth And Breadth Of Google Scholar: An Empirical Study, Chris F. Neuhaus, Ellen E. Neuhaus, Clint Wrede, Alan Asher

Library Faculty/Staff Publications

The introduction of Google Scholar in November 2004 was accompanied by fanfare, skepticism, and numerous questions about the scope and coverage of this database. Nearly one year after its inception, many of these questions remain unanswered. This study compares the contents of 47 different databases with that of Google Scholar. Included in this investigation are tests for Google Scholar publication date and publication language bias, as well as a study of upload frequency. Tests show Google Scholar’s current strengths to be coverage of science and medical databases, open access databases, and single publisher databases. Current weaknesses include lack of coverage …

Harry Potter: A Comparison Of The Characters, Themes, Setting And Plot With The Arthurian Legend, Diane L. Engbretson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to attempt to predict if Harry Potter is a re-creation of King Arthur and if the ending of the Potter stories will mirror that of King Arthur. This research focused on one series of King Arthur books written by Howard Pyle and the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling. A content analysis chart was created and implemented to compare the two series of books. A content analysis chart was completed, first of the King Arthur series and then of the Harry Potter series. This archetypal chart was used to map the characters, themes, …

What Is The Meaning Of This!?: A Case Study Of A Small, Public School In Iowa And Its Acceptable Use Policy Interpretation, Patricia L. Miles

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined why parents and students may have signed acceptable use policies without completely understanding the meaning or consequences of what that document implied. This study examined the acceptable use policy and its background, use and interpretation from the Iowa Valley School District in Marengo, Iowa.

A case study methodology was used to answer interview questions and collect data from the school district. Over a period of approximately two months, the researcher interviewed: students from various grade levels, teachers from various grade levels, technology coordinators, administrators, various board members, and various parents. The interviews were administered one at a …

Shhhhh! The Negative Effect Of Librarian Stereotypes On Junior High Students, Kerry Lust

Graduate Research Papers

Librarians are often portrayed negatively in media. The stereotypical spinster librarian with her hair in a bun and glasses on a chain around her neck has often been portrayed in books, television, and movies. Junior high students are great consumers of all types of media and have often been exposed to this stereotype. This study investigated four questions. What are the characteristics of the librarian stereotype? What are characteristics of junior high students that make them especially easy targets for media influence? Is there a set of characteristics which junior high students attribute to librarians? Can we say that media …

A Content Analysis Of Public Elementary School Library Media Program Websites In The State Of Wisconsin, Faye I. Reinhart

Honors Program Theses

An article written by Blumbach in 2005 suggested the 28 criteria are "essential elements for any school library media web site." The criteria are named closely similarly to the categories in the current study. Overall, the pattern in Wisconsin is that libraries are not living up the criteria suggested in the field of research for quality website presence. Due to the evidence that a school library media program is strongly influenced by its Internet presence, the purpose of this research was to perform a content analysis of selected public elementary school library media center websites in the state of Wisconsin. …

The Availability Of Young Adult Fiction Containing Overt Gay And Lesbian Characters In Secondary Schools In Northeast Iowa Area Education Agency 1, Misty Dawn Gray

Graduate Research Papers

This study ascertained whether or not young adults had access to fiction titles containing gay and / or lesbian characters in school libraries in one geographic area within Iowa. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability of fiction titles containing overt gay and lesbian characters in secondary public schools in Area Education Agency 1 in Northeast Iowa. The methodology used for this study was quantitative content analysis. The researcher visited 45 secondary public schools in the 24 school districts in AEA 1 in Northeast Iowa in order to gain access to school library catalogs and determine which …

A Textual Analysis Of The Role Of Women In Historical Fiction For Young People, Jennifer Youngblut Gassman

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this textual analysis of the role of women in historical fiction written for young people was to identify whether the portrayal of women in contemporary historical fiction varies from pre-Feminist era historical fiction. This researcher’s goal was to seek examples and compare the portrayal of women in novels written before and after 1970. Twenty-four novels were selected from historical novel bibliographies. Twelve novels written before 1970 and twelve written after 1970 were read and any identified patterns were included in the sorting process. Research questions seeking resolution were: how were women portrayed in historical fiction written for …

A Case Study: The Thoughts On Pleasure Reading For Children Diagnosed With Adhd, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type; Adhd, Predominantly Inattentive Type; Or Adhd, Combined Type, Heather Whitman

Graduate Research Papers

Children diagnosed with attention difficulties may face increased reading difficulties and may choose not to read for pleasure. Research questions used to explore this issue focused on what difficulties these students face in learning to read and how these affect their attitudes on reading and school performance. A second set of questions asked whether these children enjoy reading and how watching television relates to their reading? The third set of questions asked about parents reactions to any difficulties their children had in learning to read and their thoughts involving their children and reading for p)easure? The fourth set of questions …

What Do Board Members Think School Librarians Do? Perceptions Of School Librarians By Iowa School Board Members, Lori R. Minnard

Graduate Research Papers

School board members may make personnel and other budging decisions without being aware of the roles and contributions of school library media programs to student learning. This study demonstrated the levels of knowledge school board members in a small K-12 school in Northwest Iowa have about their school library programs. The board members in this study are the five members of a small school in Northwest Iowa with a student population of approximately 600.

The survey was given in two parts. For the first part of the survey, the participants were instructed to write down the top five professional tasks …

A Conceptual Framework For Gateways, Jerry V. Caswell

Library Faculty/Staff Publications

The complexity of today's information environment is resulting in the creation of unified front ends to library resources called gateways. A gateway. consists of a set of interrelated tools that enables library users to identify and locate materials relevant to · their study and research. The tools are presented in a common structure or framework that facilitates the rapid identification of and navigation to the material. A gateway may include the catalog, supplemental databases to online resources, tools that link citation databases with online content, real time assistance, and help or user guidance components.

Rod Library Strategic Plan, 2004-2009, Rod Library. University Of Northern Iowa.

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

No abstract provided.

One Million Volumes And Counting, Rod Library. University Of Northern Iowa.

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

Pamphlet celebrating Rod Library's one millionth volume and 40th anniversary.

Rod Library Bookmark, Rod Library. University Of Northern Iowa.

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

Bookmark souvenier in honor of the Rod Library's one millionth volume and the 40th anniversary.

Developing State Guidelines For School Library Media Programs In Iowa: Plans For Progress Into The 21st Century, Becky Stover Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

This research project, designed for Iowa school library media specialists, principals, and state education and legislative decision-makers, provides quantitative guidelines for library media program budgets, collections, staffing and facilities in Iowa schools. Research repeatedly has shown a link between these elements of a quality school library program and higher student achievement scores. Historically, standards and guidelines have been used to improve school library media programs. Modeled after previous guidelines developed in Iowa, this project is entitled Plans for Progress into the 21st Century. The literature review of this research project also offers an extensive look at the impact of school …

Walk A Mile In Our Shoes: A Day In The Life Of A School Library Media Specialist, Melissa Kane

Graduate Research Papers

Some school staff may have an incomplete understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school library media specialist. This research project, designed for school staff to view shows the activities of school library media specialists. The project is set up in a thirteen minute video project. The research project also consists of a survey of three Iowa schools to see how the perceptions of school staff compared to what media specialists actually do in a day. Some of the survey results are included throughout the video project and in a pamphlet that is included with the video project. The …

Measuring The Success Of Classworks Computer Instruction, Susan J. Boatwright

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to test the effectiveness of the computer program, ClassWorks Gold (CW) in improving student reading and writing scores. ClassWorks Gold is a computer program that merges parts of 150 commercially available language arts program with a built-in assessment and internal e-mail system.

Garfield Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received a grant from the Iowa Department of Education for the purchase and implementation of CW as a supplement to regular language arts classroom instruction. The grant required action research for an assessment. This paper focuses on the effectiveness of CW with two third grade …

Plans For Progress Into The 21st Century: A Guide To Planning For School Library Media Programs, Becky Stover Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance to school administrators, school boards, general faculty and library media staff in developing and maintaining strong library media programs in the state of Iowa.

Moral Development Of The Characters Of The Harry Potter Series, Amy J. Grundmeyer

Graduate Research Papers

Many parents, teachers, and students are unaware of the level of moral development exhibited by characters in the Harry Potter series. The purpose of this study was to explore moral development in the first four novels of the series in an attempt to find positive examples of moral decision-making. Using Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development, adolescent characters were evaluated for higher-level moral development and adult characters were evaluated for moral development at a higher level than that shown by the adolescent characters.

A content analysis was performed on the first four novels in the Harry Potter series by J. K. …

Carnegie Library Buildings In Iowa Today, Terri Hudachek

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to present the history of four Iowa Carnegie Library buildings: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, West Liberty, Iowa, and Eldon, Iowa. These four building histories were selected because together they represent the common fates of such buildings, not only in Iowa, but across the country. The Carnegie Library in Eldon remains much the same as the day it opened in May 9, 1913 with many original features intact. The West Liberty Carnegie Library building has been renovated to retain the Carnegie appearance. Cedar Falls had renovated its Carnegie library building with no regard …

Evaluating School Media Specialists, Pamela J. Wible

Graduate Research Papers

Guidelines for successful media specialists are available from a variety of reputable sources, but specific criteria and measurement tools for evaluation by school administrators either are not in place or are not implemented. The purpose of this videotape was to portray the variety of criteria which can be incorporated by administrators for the evaluation of school media specialists.

The program opened with the title Evaluation of School Library Media Specialists. The videotape presented criteria administrators can use in evaluating school media specialists. The criteria were presented in a direct, clear-cut approach using graphics and staged scenarios. Dr. Connie Erpelding, Ed.D., …

Collection Development In Media Centers In Overseas America And International Independent Schools In Asia, Joyce Bush Whalen

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the collection development process in lower school media centers in overseas American and international schools in Asia to see if the collections reflect the ethnic diversity of the student body.

Admissions Directors of the schools were asked to provide information regarding the citizenship of the students in kindergarten through grade five in their schools. A questionnaire was sent to the media specialists at the six schools in the International Association of Southeast Asian Schools conference. It was found that multicultural and international literature is addressed in less than sixty percent of the …

The Effects Of Reading Poetry In Library Classes On Circulation Of The Library’S Poetry Collection, Mary Musselman

Graduate Research Papers

Many of the elementary poetry books on the shelves of the Manson Northwest Webster Barnum Center library in Barnum, Iowa were not being checked out by students. By reading poetry from those books to third and fourth graders during library time the librarian hoped to stimulate interest in those poetry books and increase circulation of them. After keeping track of the poetry book circulation before and after reading poetry to the groups, the reading did in fact increase the circulation of the poetry books significantly at the .05 level.

Rod Library Strategic Plan, 2001-2006, Rod Library. University Of Northern Iowa.

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

No abstract provided.

Literature Connections To Music, Elizabeth Lynn Wick Mclean

Graduate Research Papers

This project was to produce an annotated bibliography of fiction for young adult readers with important characters or themes relating to music. The music and English departments at Mormon Trail Jr./Sr. High School in Garden Grove, Iowa requested a bibliography of young adult fiction related to music as a theme or important character so that teachers and students could choose a story to read when team teaching music and reading. The 120 books annotated were chosen through criteria selected so as to produce a list of books that would meet the curriculum needs of the teachers and reading levels and …

Civic Courage: One Librarian’S Protest Against Web Filtering, Christine H. Murphy

Graduate Research Papers

The goal of this research paper was to describe one Waterloo Community School District elementary school librarian's experiences in dealing with a District-imposed Internet filter. An Internet filter was imposed on public schools and their library media programs in the Waterloo Community School District (WCSD). The population of this study consisted of various administrators, School Board members, District facilitators, coordinators, principals, computer technicians, teachers, and secretaries. Data collection methods for this descriptive research included notation, description, analysis, and questioning. The researcher gathered articles from newspapers and periodicals, videotaped and audiotaped meetings, communicated with and kept records of personal email messages …

Best Books For Young Adults: Are Young Adults Reading Them?, Kathryn J. Bratland Kellner

Graduate Research Papers

The major aim of this research was to determine whether or not young adults are reading books from recommended reading lists. The study was conducted on a sample of 801 students in grades six through twelve who were administered a questionnaire survey designed to determine what young adults are reading and why they read. Overall, the data was quite consistent with similar studies that have been done. This study found that females read more than males and usually read because they want to while males read because they have to. Both genders prefer to read fiction over nonfiction. A small …

A Plan For Implementing Cooperation Between Home School Educators And Public Schools In Buena Vista County, Iowa, Mary Kohnen

Graduate Research Papers

Home school education is a choice that more parents are selecting for their children in today's world. Parents may decide to home school their children for a variety of reasons. Public schools can begin to cooperate with home school parents and assist in the education of home school students by offering the use of school resources. The purpose of this project was to develop a core collection of resources, provide a listing of services in the school library for home school families in Buena Vista County, Iowa schools. It was also intended to develop an informational brochure for home school …