<P> Dewey wrote that "a broad conception at the end of the century of the work of the schools is simply this, to teach the children to think accurately, with strength and with speed . If it is in the school that they get their start, then where do they get their education?" </P> <P> 1920 marked the first effort by the library and education communities to evaluate school libraries with the publication of the Certain Report, which provided the first yardstick for evaluating school libraries . </P> <P> By the 1940s, 40% of schools indicated the presence of classroom collections . Around 18% reported having centralized libraries . City schools reported 48% and rural schools reported 12% . School libraries experienced another major push following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, which forced the United States to re-evaluate its priorities for math and science education . NDEA was a response to Sputnik and Title III of NDEA provided financial assistance for strengthening science, mathematics, and modern foreign language . As a result, the 1960s were one of the greatest periods of growth and development for school libraries due to an increased flow of money and support from the private sector and public funding for education . Most notable during this time was the Knapp School Libraries Project which established model school library media centers across the country . Hundreds of new school libraries were expanded and renovated during this time . </P> <P> Most recently, school libraries have been defined by two major guidelines documents: Information Power (1988) and Information Power II (1998). </P>

School library as a source of information and knowledge centre