A First Look at Your Library Media Center

Combining guidance from animated host Rita Paige, along with student demonstrations and interviews, this introduction to the school library's media center points out the various types of material available (fiction and nonfiction books, periodicals, etc.), and touches on elementary reference skills (such as how to find a book). Featuring both computer labs in the library and AV materials available for check-out (neither of which is necessarily the case in many of the K-3 target audience's schools), the modern library media center presented here is one in which catalog searches are barely addressed, while Internet research is the norm. Also, while other computer lab applications are mentioned, common reading programs (Accelerated Reader, etc.) are not discussed at all. The tape does have its good points: after all, it is newer than those ancient “A Visit to Your Library” filmstrips still sitting in some closets; but given the expense, brief running time, and short shrift given to key topics, this is an optional choice, at best. Aud: K, E. (R. Reagan)