Library and Information Science Commons^™

The Effects Of Book Location On The Selection Of First Readers By Elementary Students, Tracy Merfeld

Graduate Research Papers

167 kindergarten, first and second graders at Garfield Elementary School in Boone, Iowa, and 470 first reader books were used to investigate whether justification can be given to shelving first reader books in a separate section. An increase in the number of charges of first reader books might demonstrate a need of students to have this type of material readily accessible.

The study was conducted over two 45 day cycles. During the first cycle, first reader books were identified, marked with a red dot and interfiled with picture books. A first reader section was created for the second cycle. All …

I Is For Iowa: An Alphabet Book About Iowa, Mary Ann Gensicke

Graduate Research Papers

I is for Iowa is a historically based alphabet book written for the purpose of introducing young children to facts about the state of Iowa. Each alphabet letter presents a geographical feature or location, a past personality, an industry, a designated state symbol or a significant historical event. The text is written for the comprehension of six to ten year old children. The words and pictures work together to highlight historical facts which are representative of the state's diversity and heritage. The book is designed to stimulate language development and to help young children become interested in reading and in …

Picture Storybooks For Speech Communications Curriculum And Extracurricular Activities: An Annotated Bibliography, Del Brink

Graduate Research Papers

High school speech instructors frequently use picture storybooks in their curriculum. Picture storybooks differ from illustrated storybooks and picture books because they are the only type of the three that includes a balanced union between text and illustrations. An observation made at a high school speech contest in Iowa was the impetus for the formation of a bibliography of picture storybooks suitable for speech contest work. The researcher located, read, annotated, and categorized books reviewed in The Horn Book Magazine between 1989 and 1992. Of the 497 books read, 363 formed a bibliography of picture storybooks divided among these categories: …

Model Of A Marketing Plan For Library Media Programs, Ruie Chehak

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to create a model of a marketing plan for library media programs. The plan uses Johnson Elementary School of the Cedar Rapids Community School District as an example for the restructuring idea of interactive learning. The model is organized to compliment the overall strategy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The plan is presented in six basic steps: 1) understand the corporate mission and objectives, 2) analyze the situation and environment, 3) determine the goals and objectives, 4) develop the marketing strategies to achieve the desired goals, 5) design an action plan to …

Comparison Of Effectiveness: Course-Integrated Information Skills Instruction Or Instruction Of Information Skills In Isolation, Veronica J. F. Mitrisin

Graduate Research Papers

What effect does the course-integrated method of information skills instruction have on student scores on the Reference Section of the "Work Study Skills" subtest of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills compared to the traditional method of teaching information skills in isolation by the library media specialist alone?

The Effect Of Integrated Shelving On Circulation Of Adult And Juvenile Non Fiction, Nancy Hasenwinkel

Graduate Research Papers

This study analyzed one part of the physical arrangement of public libraries -- the shelving of nonfiction books. The results of the study could offer practical help in one aspect of new or remodeled public library buildings, that is, would it be better to shelve the children's non-fiction books in a separate area, perhaps with the children's fiction books? Or would a better approach be to shelve all non-fiction books, whether on a second grade or college reading level, on the same shelves?

Three hypotheses were proposed dealing with the differences in non-fiction book circulation in two small public libraries …

Roles Of The Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area Media Specialists As Perceived By School Administrators, Teachers, And Media Specialists In The Elementary Schools, Roger Halstead

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the study was to find out what the role perceptions of the media specialists are and if there is any significant differences held among teachers', media specialists', and administrators' perceptions of the media specialist's role in the elementary school. A sample group of eight teachers were systematically selected from each of the 24 schools in the target group along with all 24 administrators and media specialists. The participants were sent a questionnaire to obtain their perceptions of the three major roles of the library media specialist: instructional consultant, information specialist, and teacher.

The following conclusions were made: …

The Effects Of Book Location On The Selection Of Paperback Books By Patrons, Jeffrey C. Barker

Graduate Research Papers

The study considered whether changing the physical location of paperback books on the shelf from an eye-level position to a lower position on the shelves significantly affected the selection of books as measured by the number of charges of these books by sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at the South Tama Middle School library in Toledo, Iowa. A sample representing 20 percent of the paperback collection was selected and tracked over two, nine-week sessions in alternating eye-level and foot­ level locations to determine if there was a significant effect on selection by location. A chi-square (.05) analysis of the …

The Effect Of Fees On User Demand For Two Information Services Provided By The Health Sciences Library At Allen Memorial Hospital, Elaine Hughes

Graduate Research Papers

The pressure to control hospital costs has had, and will continue to have, an impact on the funding of health sciences libraries. The concept of fees-for-services has been frequently posed as a means of generating revenue. But, there is very little data available on the effect fees would have on the demand for library services. The purpose of this study was to query the users of computer literature searching and interlibrary loan services at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa in an attempt to ascertain the feasibility of charging fees for these services as a means of producing revenue for …

Use Of Storytelling By Iowa Elementary Library Media Specialists, Frances E. Lachance

Graduate Research Papers

Seventy-five percent of 41 randomly selected Iowa public school library media specialists who answered a storytelling questionnaire in November, 1990, indicated that they used one or more storytelling activities with students in grades prekindergarten to six. Eleven of the 12 storytelling activities were used more with students in grades three or below than they were with students in grades four to six. Just 22% of the library media specialists indicated that they taught students to do storytelling, and this activity was done about equally with upper and lower elementary students.

Seventy-three percent of these library media specialists had participated in …

The Library Media Program And The Mildly Retarded Adolescent, Barbara Feuerhak

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a personal plan of enrichment on library use by thirteen mildly mentally retarded adolescents, ages 14-18, These students were members of a special education class at Tripoli High School, Tripoli, Iowa. Students were interviewed at the beginning and ending of the fall semester, 1988-1989, about their attitudes toward the library media center and staff. Before the study began the students did not use the library media center during any free periods at school by their own choice. They were observed daily during six observation weeks that fell at approximately …

School-Public Library Cooperation, Suzanne R. Larson

Graduate Research Papers

The researcher undertook this study to discover the current status of activities, the role of communication, and the benefits that were associated with cooperation between school and public libraries. The sample for this study was those elementary library media specialists and children's librarians employed in the institutions in the 80 cities served by the Northeast Iowa Regional Library System in Waterloo. A questionnaire with a cover letter was sent directly to each of the prospective respondents. The yes-no items in the questionnaire dealt with the respondents' opinions concerning their participation in cooperative activities, and the level of communication, as well …

Growing Up Too Fast, Cynthia Rapp Hartman

Graduate Research Papers

A content analysis technique was used to examine 16 children's books to determine whether the growth and development of the 24 main characters fit the growth and development of real-life children of the same chronological age.

Books published since 1982 with main characters who were eight, nine, ten, and eleven years of age were selected from Booklist and Best Books for Children. ·Descriptions and actions of the main characters were examined in the categories of general behavior, self-concept, social relations, and school orientation. Four hypotheses relating to these four categories were rejected and the researcher concluded that as depleted in …

An Annotated Bibliography Of Readings For Parents Of Visually Impaired Children, Dotta J. Hassman

Graduate Research Papers

This research project provides an annotated list of recommended readings for parents of visually impaired children. Selection for the list was determined by a) copyright date of 1980 or later, b) two or more recommendations from professionals working with VI children or organizations supporting the VI population, and c) availability from Iowa Commission for the Blind or Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. Forty-seven responses were received from the 101 educational settings and organizations asked to recommend readings for parents of the visually impaired. Thirty-six titles compose the final annotated list. It is divided into six categories: autobiography, child development, …

Oral History: A Curriculum Guide, Nancy Lee Geiken

Graduate Research Papers

The subject of this paper ls the development and design of a curriculum guide which facilitates teaching students how to complete an oral history of another person. The purpose of the research was to design an Oral History Unit for the Composition II course at Washington High School in Vinton, Iowa. Extensive research was done to determine that no curriculum guide existed which would meet the needs of the course and students.

Data were collected on a •typical• class at Washington High School. The school philosophy and objectives were studied, along with the course objectives. Based on research of the …

Females In The Midwest And Great Plains, 1815-1890: An Annotated Bibliography, Jane Maree Kemp-Ulfers

Graduate Research Papers

Historians have traditionally viewed the Westward Movement in terms of the male experience and ignored the role of women completely. Because the woman's role in the settlement of the West was often a domestic role, it has been assigned little importance. Women were, however, instrumental in the pioneering of the West, especially in the Midwest and Great Plains. History textbooks often provide little information on women. The use of supplemental materials will, therefore, greatly add to a student's understanding of women and their contributions to American history. In addition, the inclusion of literature in the study of history can make …

The Effects Of Storytelling Experiences On Vocabulary Skills Of Second Grade Students, Gail E. Froyen

Graduate Research Papers

Subjects were 40 second grade students from Lowell School, Waterloo, IA. The students met for 14 weekly forty minute sessions where they heard folktales, learned folktales to tell, and told or listened to each other tell folktales. All second grade students were tested with the ITBS Primary Battery in October 1986 (pre-test) and the subjects took the post-test in April, 1987.

The null hypothesis stated there would be no significant difference in standard scores at p<.05 using as pre-and post-tests ITBS Primary Test V-Vocabulary when compared using NCE's to the national norms of that test. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference at the p<.005 level. Therefore, the hypothesis was rejected

The Portrayal Of Children’S Emotional Reactions To Divorce In Middle-Level Fiction, Janyce A. Struthers Hancock

Graduate Research Papers

A content analysis of eighteen novels for readers in grad•• five through nine was conducted to investigate the portrayal of children's emotional reactions to their parents' divorce. Novels were limited to those published between 1981 and 1986 and recommended in Best Books for Children, Booklist's "Best Books for Young Adults" or "Notable Books for Children, or Booklist reviews prior to July 1, 1986.

Using a checklist with manifestations of each emotional reaction, the researcher noted the occurrence of ten common reactions: denial, grief or depression, fear of abandonment and rejection, guilt, immaturity or hypermaturity, anger, preoccupation with thoughts of parental …

Changes In Cooperation Among Selected Schools And Public Libraries In Iowa, Patricia Ann Ipsen

Graduate Research Papers

The results of this study may indicate that while Iibrary professionals in Iowa view cooperation as a desirable goal, there is little formal activity between and among school and public libraries. The attendance at state sponsored workshops may have little effect on actual practice in the 18 communities which participated In the ICEMS program. There may be increased cooperative activity in those communities which made some attempts prior to the workshops. However, these activities tend to be fairly traditional and conservative. In communities new to the idea, the participants may be open to change, but psychological and physical barriers may …

Literature Of The Vietnam War: An Annotated Bibliography, Hope E. Degner Hix

Graduate Research Papers

The interest In the Vietnam War is Increasing after years of being ignored. The body of literature about the Vietnam War is growing rapidly. Using this literature in high school courses to study the war is encouraged. Using literature to study a historical event personalizes it for the students.

The researcher read 45 novels and personal narratives about the Vietnam War. Each novel was tested for four values and inclusion of stereotyped secondary characteristics. One or more of the following values was present in 80 percent of the works: American involvement was wrong, American commanders were incompetent, South Vietnamese soldiers …

Library Media Services For Educable Mentally Handicapped Students, Lauri Netz

Graduate Research Papers

After the adoption of Public Law 94-142 the public schools are required to provide an education for handicapped students. These students should then be participating in the library media program in the public schools. The purpose of this study was to find out what library media programs are being provided at the elementary level for educable mentally handicapped (EMH) students.

Iowa elementary media specialists were surveyed to determine if elementary EMH students used the library media cente.r and how they spent their time when they were in the center~ In the schools surveyed EMH students participated in the library media …

Saudi Arabia’S And Egypt’S Public And School Libraries, Donna Marie Hoeksema

Graduate Research Papers

This research was based on a concern for libraries in third world countries. A study of literature about public and school libraries in two developing countries in the Middle East was conducted. Based on the evidence that certain conditions were present in the United States and Europe before library development began, this researcher isolated eight of these conditions to research whether they were in existence or growing in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Two hypotheses were-tested. First, political stability was evident. Secondly, evidence of growth in the following seven conditions were studied: education, economic growth, government commitment towards libraries, urbanization, presence …

Library Service In Iowa Juvenile Correctional Institutions Compared With National Standards Prepared By The American Correctional Association, Ellen Youds

Graduate Research Papers

This study was done to determine the extent to which the two juvenile correctional institution libraries in Iowa met selected standards from Library Standards for Juvenile Correctional Institutions, prepared by the American Correctional Association. The hypothesis of the study was that neither of the institutions would meet 50% or more of the selected standards.

The two librarians completed a questionnaire and were also interviewed. The library at Eldora met over 50% of the selected standards. The librarian is a member of the educational and planning team. This facilitates the meeting of many of the standards. The library at Toledo met …

Picture Books And The Literary Connection: A Bibliography, Susan Hall

Graduate Research Papers

Both elementary and secondary aged school students are required to recognize and understand various common literary devices that are employed in the fictional literature they read. In order to facilitate this learning process, using appropriate trade picture storybooks combined with traditional textbook literature may better serve to enhance student comprehension of literary devices. An examination of the past five (1980-1985) years of picture storybook reviews from The Horn Book Magazine has revealed that the picture book genre does exhibit a broad spectrum of common literary devices such as satire, analogy, flashback, and metaphor. During a single class session carefully selected …

When And Where Students Engage In Recreational Reading, Harriet Wooge Adams

Graduate Research Papers

Students in fourth, eighth, and twelfth grades of Eagle Grove Community Schools in Eagle Grove, Iowa, responded to a questionnaire seeking to ascertain where the students were and what time it was when they engaged in recreational reading. Responses were categorized by the researcher and analyzed by grade level and sex. Location categories, from the highest percentage of responses to the lowest inlcuded: "bedroom", "school", "living room", "kitchen", "other home", "outdoors", transportation", "library", "bathroom", "other buildings", and "don't read". Time period categories, from the highest percentage of responses to the lowest included: "evening", "school", "afternoon", "morning", "vacations", "qualified time periods", …

Gifts To School Library Media Centers In Iowa, Sharon Stiles

Graduate Research Papers

This study examines the donation and solicitation of gifts to school library media centers in Iowa. A questionnaire was used to collect data concerning numbers and types of donations, their sources, their disposal, reasons for their exclusion from collections, their perceived benefits, and whether a statement concerning gifts was included in the selection policy of the school library media center.

Numbers of donations were found to be small. Fewer than five gifts per year were received by 66.l percent of the respondents. Gifts were usually materials donated by those closest to the daily operation of the school, particularly students, staff, …

Use, Training, And Duties Of Student Assistants In Iowa Public School Library Media Centers, Bonnie Bannister

Graduate Research Papers

Practical experience has shown this writer that without good student assistants, a school library media center may not function properly. While in charge of a media center in which there were no other professionals, the author learned first hand that one person cannot do everything. The only labor force available was student assistants. At times, little would have been accomplished had they not been available.

Perception Of Stress Among Iowa School Media Specialists, Pam Dohrn

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate job satisfaction and perceptions of job related stress. The study sought to examine the roles of variables such as years of experience, school size, grade levels served by the media specialist, sex of the media specialist, full- or part-time employment status as a media specialist in the perception of stress. The study also examined changes in stress perceptions of school media specialists between 1980 and 1985.

A Content Analysis Of Books Depicting Adopted Teenagers In Adolescent Novels Published Between 1965-1981, Myrna Griffith

Graduate Research Papers

Since .adolescents can find answers to their questions by reading fiction, fiction that portrays teenagers like themselves, adolescent books on the subject of adoption may serve as a source of current information on adoption and society's attitudes of searching. This researcher proposed that an annotated bibliography be developed in this study. The technique of content analysis was used and young adult fiction titles were selected which might enable the young adult readers to determine if they can find answers to some of their questions about their birth parents and whether to search for them.

An Annotated Bibliography Of Art Literature For Grades Four Through Eight, Shelly A. Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

The visual arts, a discipline, with a history and knowledge base is a required component of the elementary and middle school curriculum. In order to learn the language of visual symbols resources are needed. The assumption that books which deal with various topics spanning the spectrum of art will provide a link between visual and verbal information and provide, in part, necessary assistance to students in their study of art is the premise on which this research paper is based.

As a result of research into available art related books at three school libraries, one public library and one university …