Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, Updated Edition

Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning was allegedly compiled by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) to diseminate information on the principles behind and importance of school library media programs (school libraries to the unitiated) to not only library media specialists (LMSs) but also teachers, administrators and other stakeholders in the school community.While I can see the value of this book as a resource, I cannot imagine anyone reading it who is not specifically assigned (forced) to or already in training to become a LMS (or at least a children's librarian).The book begins by explaining the vision behind the ideal school library media program and learning standards that should be used as part of any LMC curriculum. Subsequent chapters discuss how to build collaborative relationships to foster authentic learning and make an LMP an integral part of a school experience, learning and teaching, information access and delivery, program administration, and how to connect to the learning community.The book also has appendixes on assessment, goals for student learning, and copies of various statements and policies from ALA. There are other appendixes, but since the book was last revised in 1998 some of the information is not extremely relevant anymore.The book is basically a series of stated principles on each topic and then sub-topics thoroughly explaining each principle. On one hand it was disheartening that the text was so dry and dense. On the other, it was comforting to see that there is not really that much to being an LMS since it all fits into a thin volume and seems to come down to collaboration at all points.Information Power is hard to get through because of the repetition and disjointed nature of the text. Nonetheless, it does really tell everything you need to know about an LMC. I found that the best way to read it in its entirety was to just tell myself to read a chapter a day until I was done. The appendix compilingALA policies was also especially useful. I can't see many readers picking this volume up for idle reading. But I can see it being a valuable resource in that office you'll have when you finally become a school library media specialist.

This book was required for two courses that I was taking. It explains the information about library media centers in pretty clear detail, but never actually describes where the idea of Information Power comes from, so I was lost a majority of the time. It was produced by the American Library Association, so I feel that the information is needed for anyone beginning a career in that field.

A must have. Interested to see the new edition soon, though.

Required for Grad class but would purchase even if it was not because it contains a lot of helpful information!

Helpful resource for anyone who is attempting to pass the FTCE Educational Media Specialists test for K-12.

This is the bible for librarians. A must read.

Information is good. I needed the book for class.

Exactly what I needed, I bought this book to study for my test coming up in January hope it helps.