Charting a course: local libraries can help the growing number of charter schools locate the resources they need.

Most people have probably heard about charter schools and the related movement toward school choice that has been gaining momentum since the 1990s. But little is known about the role libraries play in these schools, and the issue is rarely discussed in the media or professional literature.

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Charter schools have been evolving as an alternative to traditional public schools, and many are still relatively young. Unlike home schooling or private schools, these institutions are publicly funded and operate independent of local school districts--and not without some controversy.

For each child enrolled, a charter school receives a fixed dollar amount from the local school district. Laws and regulations vary in each state, but generally charter school administrators are required to apply for and receive a charter from either the local school district or the state. Many educate students in the traditional setting of classrooms within a local school building, while in other situations cyber--charter schools provide computers to students who may be located all across the state. Learning takes place at home with teachers and students primarily communicating …