Written for school librarians, administrators, library students, and those in library governing positions, this book looks at the numerous challenges in providing the best support and services for students and presents many thoughts and creative ideas for addressing them. It begins with an important discourse on numerous aspects of professionalism, such as management, technical and social, and then on professional values and philosophies of school librarians. The discussion continues with how others, such as teachers, students, and parents, view our roles, and how these differing perceptions influence how we do our jobs. Innovative ways to improve communication and the value of knowing and understanding the communities we serve are stressed, as is the importance of knowing how our learners learn, the best ways of assessing their needs, and so on. Evaluating ourselves, staying positive and maintaining professionalism, inspiring others and being inspired, making needed and necessary changes all help us to continually renew ourselves in our positions. Vignettes of real experiences enhance the narrative. The book was originally published in Britain, and some expressions, terminology, and acronyms may not be clear at first, but they don't detract from the volume's valuable content.—Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE
