Finally--a current tool that library media specialists can use to assist their principals in understanding how an exemplary school library program really works, and how important the library is to student achievement. This book provides media specialists with substantive information to help principals be effective practitioners and understand the influence a successful library media program has on students and teachers. Using their collective thirty years of experience, the authors--a principal and media specialist--draw heavily from their personal insights, experiences and anecdotes, as well as professional literature, related research, journal articles, site visits, and interviews with principals and library media specialists. You will also find information on the overarching philosophy guiding the practice of principals and library media specialists, best practices in the library program, the principal's role in managing the media center, and other pertinent topics.