Implementation of Information power : the experiences of state library media consultants in New England.

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to describe how four New England state library media consultants are working within their respective states toward the promotion of excellence in school library media centers through the implementation of the elements of Information Power, the current national school library standards. Literature describing the evolution of these standards, the current standards Information Power, and the activities of the school library media specialist and state library consultant associated with accomplishing the desired goals described in these standards are reviewed. This quantitative research project is conducted over a period of three years. Data were gathered through a combination of surveys, field notes, interviews, and questionnaires. Verbatim transcriptions were made of the audiotaped interviews. From these data were gathered responses to nineteen questions designed to provide the framework for the study--implementation activities of the state consultants. Conclusions drawn from these data indicate that the state library media consultants, in spite of having no regulatory powers, work actively in a myriad of ways to promote quality school library programs. Their changing environment brought about by individual perceptions, economics, technology, and educational reform creates a challenge to each of these participants