Library and Information Science Commons^™

Through Whose Eyes, Susan Kay Aries Jolly

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to determine if third and fourth grade students enjoy reading and or enjoy books that are told from the first person point of view. Two versions of two different stories were used to determine reading preferences. The final samples included 46 third grade students and 38 fourth grade students. It was found that in the third grade, the first story, the boys preferred first person point of view and the girls preferred third person point of view. Fourth grade boys and girls both preferred the story told from the first person point of view. …

Interviewing Process Handbook For Library Media Specialists, Vicki H. Stegall

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to investigate the job application procedure specifically for the school library media specialist, with an emphasis on interview questions. As a result of this research project, "Employment Handbook for School Library Media Specialists" was written. Research showed the majority of interview questions presented to the school library media specialist were classified in the Professional - Media Specialist category.

An Analysis Of Messages Posted To The Lm_Net Listserv By School Library Media Specialists, Jennifer L. Brown

Graduate Research Papers

This research examined messages sent to the LM _NET (School Library Media and Network Communications) listserv by school library media specialists during the month of October, 1999. A content analysis was used to address the first research question: "What areas of concern are school library media specialists who are LM _ NET subscribers addressing with their questions and postings to the LM _ NET community?" The second research question, "Are there underlying patterns addressed in LM _ NET messages posted by school library media specialists?" was approached with a textual analysis. The researcher used a sample of 95 messages that …

The Effect Of Display On Students' Book Selections, Dianne Loughren

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the study The Effect of Displays on Students' Book Selections was to investigate whether students would choose books from a display more often than when the books were shelved in regular order at the Starmont Community Schools K-8 Media Center. The thirty items selected for the display had not circulated five times during the current school year and were recommended in the 17th edition of Wilson's Children's Catalog. During the three week period when the display was in place students in third through eighth grade who visited the media center were videotaped to monitor book selection behaviors. …

Read Aloud Practices In One Iowa Middle School, Linda K. Balog

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not teachers at Prairie Middle School in the College Community, Iowa School District were reading aloud to their students. Secondly, the research set out to determine whether those teachers surveyed knew the impact that reading aloud has on the development of vocabulary, language, and comprehension. Finally, the purpose of the research was to determine whether those teachers were choosing to read materials that would provide opportunity for. growth in vocabulary, language, and comprehension. The middle school teachers in this district were surveyed to determine what current read aloud practices are. …

Public Library/Public School Cooperation In Bettendorf, Iowa, Kristi Anhalt

Graduate Research Papers

A case study was conducted at the Bettendorf Public Library to determine how and why the public library cooperates with the area public schools. Interviews with the public library staff and school media specialists were conducted. Documentation relating to the cooperation was gathered and examined. Lastly, observations were conducted. The relevant data were then compiled and examined for patterns. The data collected show cooperation has occurred with one institution providing the leadership and funds while both institutions benefit. The patterns also indicated that the administrators for both institutions indicate support for the cooperation and that the purpose of the cooperation …

Examining How Presentation Technology Affects Communication Of Student Ideas, Barbara Besch

Graduate Research Papers

This research examines the impact of presentation technology and the effect it has on the way students communicate their ideas. Students have traditionally stood at the front of the room and talked about their research and findings. Technology offers new means in presenting student research. The class that will be participating in this study will have access to presentation software and the tools to use it effectively to create dynamic presentations. Before the process begins, students will be asked to evaluate their attitudes and feelings on presenting the results of research. They will then evaluate the overall quality of their …

The Effects Of An Individualized Reading Program On Recreational Reading, Kim Aneweer

Graduate Research Papers

We are creating a nation of alliterates. The vast majority of our population can read and write, but choose not to. The researcher intended to investigate this problem by creating an individualized reading program for a group of fifth grade students. The reading program was designed according to the students· reading levels and interests. The researcher monitored the amount of time the students spent reading for pleasure. The study consisted of three phases. During the first phase, the students chose their reading materials. A computer program assisted the students in choosing their books in phase two of the study. The …

Building An Integrated User Interface To Electronic Resources, Jerry V. Caswell

Library Faculty/Staff Publications

Client/server computing and the adoption of the World Wide Web make it possible for academic libraries to build a new generation of automated library systems that present locally mounted and remote resources through a common interface. This article recounts the issues and technologies encountered by the Iowa State University Library as it undertook this process, with particular emphasis on the integration of 239.50-accessible databases with Web technology.

Library Faculty Evaluation Handbook: University Of Northern Iowa Rod Library, Barbara Allen, Cynthia Coulter, Judy Myers

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

This handbook describes the processes and procedures related to library faculty evaluation at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Seven sections cover: (1) overview of the evaluation process; including the role of library faculty; work schedule; purpose of evaluation; role of goals and objectives in evaluation; frequency of evaluation; schedule for application for tenure; and calendar for promotion and tenure; (2) terminal degree requirements for library faculty; (3) qualifications for appointment and promotion to professorial rank and tenure; (4) evaluation procedures; including evaluation of probationary faculty; merit evaluation; promotion and tenure procedures; the Professional Assessment Committee; the Administrative Peer Review …

Portrayal Of Hiv And Aids In Novels Appropriate For Young Adults, Andrea J. G. Frederickson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine how HIV/ AIDS is portrayed in literature that is appropriate for young adults. The study was a content analysis using a checklist to record methods of HIV infection for characters, methods of HIV/ AIDS prevention presented, and whether the information presented was consistent with an HIV/ AIDS fact sheet. This fact sheet was derived from information provided by the American Red Cross. The books studied did not contain characters that were infected by all scientifically confirmed modes of HIV transmission. No books in this study included a character who had been infected …

School Library Media Centers Overdue Circulation Policies And Practices, Joyce Keeling

Graduate Research Papers

This descriptive study focused on overdue circulation policies and practices as found in Iowa elementary and secondary school library media centers. A questionnaire was sent to randomly selected Iowa school elementary and secondary library media specialists, with a seventy-seven percent response rate. Results showed that secondary library media specialists preferred collecting fees but elementary library media specialists were opposed. All school library media specialists used reminders, both written and oral; collected replacement fees for unreturned materials; and restricted borrowing privileges of patrons to encourage the return of materials.

Use Of The Iowa Locator In School Library Media Classes, Debra A. Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Iowa Locator was being used by students and teachers to identify materials which are then requested through interlibrary loan in the ninety-three school library media centers that had the Locator available from August through December of 1995.

This was a descriptive study using a questionnaire survey methodology. The population for this study was identified as the ninety-three school library media centers that have the Iowa Locator.

The findings indicated that only 75% of the school library media centers that had the Iowa Locator had patrons request materials through interlibrary loan. …

The Effects Of Flexible Versus Fixed Schedules On Circulation And Attendance In An Elementary School Library Media Program, Sandy Weldon

Graduate Research Papers

Statistical analysis was used to document and observe the effects of fixed and flexible schedules on circulation and attendance at Howe Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa. This study compared circulation and attendance records of third through fifth graders from the school years 1992-93 and 1993-94 using fixed schedules to those from 1994-95 and 1995-96 using flexible schedules. Decreased circulation and attendance followed a shift in schedules, with the conclusion that both circulation and attendance were higher when following a more traditional, fixed schedule.

Is Library Automation Feasible For All Elementary Schools?, Tiffany Bayless

Graduate Research Papers

Library automation has been adopted by many library media centers, but is it appropriate for all libraries? The justification for automation of four library media centers will be based on the literature reviewed, current operations of these centers, and personal experiences and observations in working with these library media centers. There have been many concerns about whether library automation is feasible for these library media centers, and that is the reason for the focus of this study. Library automation should not be something that is implemented just because "everyone else is doing it".

New Computer Software, Cd-Roms, And Videodiscs In K-12 Music Education: What Music Educators And Media Specialists Need To Know : A Selected Annotated Bibliography, Brent A. Andrews

Graduate Research Papers

This study identified new music education resources in CD-Rom, videodisc, and computer software formats created from 1990-1995. Each item was evaluated according to its effectiveness in meeting the three different domains of learning; affective, cognitive, and psychomotor. The study also identified items that exhibited multicultural diversity. The resulting annotated bibliography lists twenty-two resources with critical evaluations of use to music teachers and library media specialists.

An Annotated Bibliography Of Selected Historical Fiction About The American Frontier From 1840-1899 For Children And Young Adults, Karen Keller

Graduate Research Papers

This project was to produce a bibliography of historical fiction requested by teachers in Johnston Middle School, Johnston, Iowa, that can be used by the eighth-grade classes so that students may choose from a selected list of historical fiction books about the American West that will encompass both their literature theme of the will to survive and the historical setting of the American frontier as it moves West between 1840 and 1899. The fifty books annotated were chosen through criteria selected so as to produce a list of books that would meet the needs of the teachers of this unit. …

Using The Winnebago Circ/Cat. Program For Collection Analysis In A Small School Library, Pati Jo Daisy

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigated how integrated library automation systems can assist in quantitative collection analysis in a small school library setting. The methodology used was a statistical descriptive study as it was most suited to the study of a specific collection analysis process. The study revealed that the Winnebago Circ/Cat version program can aid in the collection of raw data for analysis. The study further revealed the data manipulation abilities of the Winnebago program are limited. An automated spreadsheet program is necessary to manipulate the data and illustrate that data in graphic form.

Perceptions And Expectations Of Rural And Urban Public School Principals Toward School Library Media Centers, Patricia Morin

Graduate Research Papers

The focus of this study is the perceptions and expectations of rural and urban public school principals toward school library media specialists and library programs. Both elementary and secondary principals in a three county area of Northwestern Illinois were targeted.

All 41 public school principals in Carroll, Jo Davies, and Stephenson counties were sent survey instruments containing 23 opinion statements taken from the "Guidelines for School Library Media Program Development," "Guidelines for Fulfilling Roles and Responsibilities," and "Guidelines for Facilities," in Information Power. Principals were instructed to choose I of 5 alternative opinions ranging from (essential) to (undesirable).

Surveys returned …

Personal Space And Territoriality Of Users In An Academic And Public Library, Ruth A. Hamilton

Graduate Research Papers

An observation checklist was used to investigate responses of patrons to intrusion in their personal space. The study was done in a small academic library and a small public library. After the subject was seated an intruder would come in and sit as close to the subject as possible. The responding time was limited to five minutes. The response of the subject was recorded on a detailed checklist. Findings indicated that female subjects make more adjustments than male subjects. In general, adjustments made by subjects were minimal in number and minor in nature.

The Effect Of Booktalking On Fiction Circulation Statistics, Melinda J. Quinn

Graduate Research Papers

Five monthly booktalk programs were presented to the eighth grade reading classes at BGM School. Circulation statistics for first semester of 1992 when these students were in seventh grade were compared to the circulation statistics for the same semester of their eighth grade year in 1993 to determine if the booktalks made a significant difference in this group's reading habits.

An analysis of the data using the chi-square test indicated no significant difference at the .05 level in the circulation statistics for paperback books, hard bound books or total volumes. It seemed, though, that the students reacted positively to the …

The Impact Of School District Mergers On Library Media Programs In Selected Iowa School Districts, Sandra Huemann-Kelly

Graduate Research Papers

With the current trend Iowa of school districts whole-grade sharing (WGS) with another school district followed by merging, the author examined the impact of such reorganization activities on library media programs in selected school districts. The case study approach was utilized to examine five districts. The author believed that changes occurred as a result in library media centers with most change discernible at the time WGS commenced rather than at the time of full merger. The first hypothesis was supported by evidence of change in library media centers in the areas of facilities, personnel, collections, finances and library media services. …

School Librarians And Their Work Place: A Study Of Terminology Preference, Judith A. Palumbo-Gates

Graduate Research Papers

Two sets of 1992 periodicals were studied to determine terminology preferences, one set written by and for school librarianship professionals, the other written by and for educators. Word counts were taken of the traditional terms "library"/"librarian" and the newer accepted terms "media center"/"media specialist", the latter adopted by the American Association of School Librarians over a 24 year period. The data showed 24% of librarianship professionals mix terms, 40% use accepted terms exclusively, and 35% use traditional terms exclusively. A majority either mix terms or use the traditional. Among educator authors, 86% were found to use traditional terminology 50% or …

Evaluation Of Library Media Specialists In Iowa Schools, Bonnie Rawding

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the criteria and procedures used in the evaluation of library media specialists in Iowa. Of particular concern was the inclusion of the roles and responsibilities of library media specialists as established in "Information Power" in evaluation instruments. The sample of 100 library media specialists was asked to fill in a questionnaire and return a blank copy of their evaluation instrument. The return rate was 70%.

Seventy-seven percent of library media specialists in the sample are evaluated as teachers. Sixty-nine percent of the 13 library media specialist evaluation instruments contained 50% or more …

The Portrayal Of Iowa In Fiction Books For Children And Youth, Jeanette Gerrietts

Graduate Research Papers

This research study examined the content of books read by children and youth in grades three through twelve to determine how Iowa is portrayed in books published in the period from 1980 to the present. Questions studied were:

1. What characteristics of Iowa are found most frequently in fiction books for children and youth?

2. How accurate are these portrayals in reflecting the actual 3 characteristics of the state as reported in the 1980 and 1990 census?

The Effectiveness Of Discis Books When Used To Improve Reading Scores Of Kinesthetic, Below Grade-Level Learners, Michelle Bentler

Graduate Research Papers

A reading comprehension study using Discis Books and below grade level sixth grade readers at Harmony Middle School, Farmington, Iowa, testing positive as kinesthetic learners, was carried out in a nine week time period. The study's participants completed a learning styles inventory and a comprehension reading inventory. Students were then randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The control group participated in classroom instruction and independent silent reading. The experimental group participated in classroom instruction and computer­ assisted instruction. A post comprehension inventory was administered.

Data were collected to determine if kinesthetic learners improved reading comprehension through the use of …

The Effects Of Booktalking Upon The Circulation Of Undercirculating Children’S Fiction, Janis Reisetter

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of booktalks in order to increase circulation of quality fiction books that had circulated one time or not at all from the Dunkerton, Iowa, Elementary School Library from August, 1993, to the end of February, 1994. The fifteen titles to be booktalked met specific controls and were required to be included in one of four recommended bibliographies of children's literature.

The hypothesis of this study predicted that 50% of the titles would circulate immediately upon being presented to the fifth grade students, and that the majority of the titles would …

A Cross-Cultural Anthology Of Mythological Flood Stories, Gayle R. Kelley

Graduate Research Papers

This project is a literary production of mythological flood stories to help children better understand cultural diversity. Candidate stories for this project were reviewed through the application of several sets of filtering criteria developed by the author and based on tests described in the literature, to determine which stories would be used. The accompanying document includes nine stories from six continents, as rewritten by the project author. With each mythological flood story is a short narrative describing the background of the story, its cultural roots, or anything else that would bring life and interest to the retelling. This anthology will …

The Current Staffing Status Of Library Media Center Personnel In Iowa Public Schools, Roberta Dennison

Graduate Research Papers

The issue of staffing school library media centers in Iowa public schools is the focus of this study. A survey instrument requesting data about the numbers of attendance centers at various grade levels, average enrollment, certificated staff and noncertificated support staff, adult volunteers and shared certificated personnel was sent to superintendents in all public school districts in the state of Iowa. Data from respondents were analyzed to determine how staffing in Iowa school library media centers compared to current staffing guidelines as outlined in Plan for Progress PK-12. a 1992 document published by the Iowa Department of Education, and the …

Computer-Based Technology In Aea 7 Schools, 1994, Julie Heitland

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which school library media centers in one Area Education Agency region (AEA 7) in northeast Iowa are selecting, funding, and making available the new computer-based technologies. A confidential questionnaire was sent to 110 public and non-public schools in May, 1994. Media specialists in 77 schools responded. The results of the survey showed that a) the top-ranked determinant used in selecting computer-based technology was curriculum need, b) the top-ranked source of funding for the purchase of new technology was the local school budget, c) the most widely available computer-based technology …