A step-by-step guide written specifically to introduce school library media specialists to the Internet, addressing their distinct needs and the unique relationships that exist between media specialists, their students, and classroom colleagues. Steps for incorporating the Internet into the media center program, online resource identification, and descriptions of successful learning activities will have immediate application in any media center. Intended for media specialists with little or no Internet experience, it explains clearly how to incorporate the Internet into the media center, cites exemplary World Wide Web sites for media specialists, and covers the following topics: how to connect to the Internet; Internet tools and how to use them; the best ways to browse the World Wide Web and retrieve useful information; the basics of home page development; listservs and USENET newsgroups for the school library media specialist; how to develop and evaluate Internet-based instructional activities--with illustrations of actual Internet use, and strategies for promoting responsible student use of the Internet. Helpful appendices include a guide for evaluating World Wide Web resources, a sample Internet acceptable use policy, a selective subject list of World Wide Web resources, a glossary of terms, and a bibliography of recommended titles.

MacDonald explains clearly and with Web screen illustrations how to accomplish each step of Internet connection and use. He describes and evaluates hardware and service provider issues, Internet search tools and browsers, and cites exemplary World Wide Web sites for school library media specialists. All terms--such as Telnet, FTP, Gopher, WAIS, Netscape, HTML, and Java--are clearly explained and their uses evaluated in terms of the school library media center. This guide cuts through the confusion of the Internet and provides a clear path to transforming traditional media center services through use of the Internet and to developing enhanced media center and classroom programs in collaboration with teachers.

Randall M. MacDonald is Collection Development Librarian at Florida Southern College, having served on the faculty since 1986. He received his MSLS from Florida State University, his BA from University of Alabama, and is presently pursuing the PhD in Instructional Technology from University of South Florida in Tampa. An active Internet user for over five years, he has been involved with various library automation and networking projects on a campus and regional level, and speaks to groups about the Internet and library services. His articles have covered such diverse topics as school librarianship, college computer network utilization, records management, and the works of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr. MacDonald has been a school media center volunteer since 1985, and was named a Member of the 1996 Florida Library Association Transformers Honor Roll.