President's Message...

A s educators, our task today is more awe- some and challenging than ever before. I would suggest, therefore, that now is

a good time to evaluate your commitment to excel- lence in your profession, at your workplace. Hon- est professionals are constantly cognizant of who they are and strive for self-improvement. Take some time to inventory your strengths and weaknesses. Then make a very conscious effort to excel on the strong side and pledge to improve the weak side. What an impact that would make in the educational arena across the nation. Think about it!

Research reports that the two areas of school most often talked about by students at home are (1) the cafeteria and (2) the School Media Center. The opportunity we have as educators to impact the edu- cation of each student in our school is a bit over- whelming. Having each student acting as a public relations spokesperson for the Media Center is a priceless asset. What do you offer them that is ex- citing that they want to share with their family? How did you contribute to their learning for the day, the week, the month, the year? These activi- ties paint a picture of the Media Center that no press release, however widely distributed, can com- pete with. Are we constantly conscious of the pic- ture we paint on the palate of the child's mind? Very often we underestimate or forget the power of the little things we do--little things that may be key for turning on or off a student.

The ability to access and use information tech- nologies has become a crucial issue in the curricu- lum. Aligned with information literacy is the re- sponsibility of promoting positive values and attitudes in each student. A self-awareness of right and wrong is basic for information literacy. Collabo- ration and cooperation are positive approaches to

problem solving on the playground or in the United Nations Assembly. From the basics of right and wrong to the most hyper of technologies, the effec- tive impact on the education of America's greatest resources, our children and youth, is our opportu- nity to link excellence in education. Will you per- sonally accept the challenge?

Phyllis Joseph DSMS President

From the Field Editor's Desk. . .

y ou have a variety of articles to explore in this issue of School Learning Re- sources. My article describes the use of

technology with at-risk students. The strategies in using technology and the selection criteria used with microcomputer software are the major topics presented.

Electronic encyclopedias are becoming popular purchases in school media centers. But what do you need to know before making that purchase? The article by Wolfe, Stringer, and Hickman re- ports on the key issues regarding CD-ROM prod- ucts.

The Hopkins article reports phase one of a na- tional intellectual freedom study and provides im- portant data on challenges to library media materi- als. Thanks to the American Library Association for permission to reprint it.

The Bennett article on "fuzzy thinking" is bound to get you started thinking differently about commonplace activities in your libraries.

I hope this issue of School Learning Resources will inspire you into action--into applying these ideas to your own situation.

Bob Gray Kutztown University

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