Open AccessIntroduction to the Theme Issue: Library Power Program Evaluation
Author(s) -
Dianne McAfee Hopkins,
Douglas L. Zweizig
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
school libraries worldwide
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2816-3788
pISSN - 1023-9391
DOI - 10.29173/slw6764
Subject(s) - school library , ninth , library science , theme (computing) , power (physics) , work (physics) , political science , sociology , public relations , medical education , medicine , engineering , computer science , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , acoustics , operating system
This special theme issue of School Libraries Worldwide focuses on the evaluation of the school library program initiative, Library Power. Library Power is the ambitious initiative of the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, designed to promote the full use of the school library program in instruction. Elementary and middle/junior high schools (up to ninth grade) in the 19 United States communities that successfully competed for a Library Power grant were eligible to participate in Library Power. Each community received $1.2 million over the three-year period of the grant. Funding for the initiative from the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund was provided through community agencies known as local education funds (LEFs). These tax-exempt, nonprofit, community-based organizations work to build community support for high-quality public K-12 education. A Library Power Director, who became part of the LEF professional staff, worked directly with the school district(s) in the community and in collaboration with others, including the district's library supervisor, to improve student learning through libraries.