Date Approved

5-1-2001

Embargo Period

6-10-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School and Public Librarianship

Department

Special Educational Services/Instruction

College

College of Education

Advisor

Shontz, Marilyn

Subject(s)

Elementary school teaching; Instructional materials centers

Disciplines

Library and Information Science

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to: 1.) determine the readiness of the three elementary school library media centers in the Egg Harbor Township public school system for implementation of integrated thematic instruction; 2.) determine the role the school library media specialist will play once integrated thematic instruction was adopted; and 3.) present these findings for other elementary schools where the integrated thematic instruction approaches might be adopted.

The population was made up of the staff of three elementary schools in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. This produced samples of three principals, three school library media specialists and 140 teachers. Three separate survey instruments were designed and descriptive statistics were used.

This study concluded that the budgets for the elementary school libraries must increase before implementing integrated thematic instruction. This research also concluded that flexible scheduling is necessary in order to adequately implement integrated thematic instruction. Finally, this study suggested that additional staff might be necessary when integrated thematic instruction is adopted because many library tasks will increase or be added.

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