School Library Media Specialist

Position Type: Professional

Library Type: School

Description

I. Leader, Planner and Manager

As a leader, planner and manager, the Library Media Specialist provides leadership in the planning, management and evaluation of school library media programs.

  • Directs, organizes, and supervises the personnel and services essential to a unified library media program centered on students' needs and the instructional goals of the school.
  • Initiates and maintains formal contacts with principal and teachers to evaluate library media programs, facilities, materials, equipment and personnel.
  • Prepares financial plans for the Library Media Center, including an annual budget.
  • Develops and maintains a written long-range plan for library media services, and integrates the activities designated in the plan into the total school curriculum.
  • Establishes and maintains an environment in the Library Media Center in which students and staff can work at productive levels.
  • Communicates the philosophy and goals of the school library media program to the students, faculty, administration and community.
  • Translates curriculum needs into library media program goals and objectives.
  • Works with administrators and other appropriate personnel to develop long range goals and objectives for the school or district.
  • Establishes relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community which reflect recognition of and respect for every individual.
  • Participates in the recruiting, hiring and training of other professional, paraprofessional, clerical, student and volunteer staff in the Library Media Center.
  • Develops and continually updates the professional expertise necessary to function effectively in the Library Media Specialist role.
  • Networks with other professionals through participation in local, state and national organizations.

II. Teacher

As a teacher, the Library Media Specialist instructs students on a formal and informal basis in skills related to reading, research, production of materials and the use of information and instructional technologies.

  • Works to ensure the integration of information skills thro
  • Plans, teaches, evaluates and reinforces instruction designed to make students and staff effective users of information.
  • Assists staff members in producing instructional audiovisual aids.
  • Assists teachers in promoting reading and provides reading experiences for students in groups and as individuals.
  • Promotes lifelong learning by fostering positive attitudes toward libraries and by working to develop students' viewing, listening and critical thinking skills.
  • Monitors rights and responsibilities of users relating to the generation and flow of information and ideas (e.g., copyright, confidentiality / privacy, intellectual freedom).
  • Provides staff development opportunities for school personnel in the selection, use, evaluation and production of media and new and emerging technologies.
  • Participates in district, building, department and grade-level curriculum design and assessment projects on a regular basis.
  • Contributes to the development of complete instructional units with teachers, using a systematic instructional design process.
  • Performs clearinghouse function for professional materials and opportunities available from education agencies outside the school.
  • Assesses information skills and the research process on a regular planned basis for student, teacher and staff use.

III. Information Specialist

As an information specialist, the Library Media Specialist provides access to information and ideas by assisting students and staff in identifying information resources and in interpreting and communicating intellectual content.

  • Makes resources available to students and teachers through a systematically developed and organized collection of library media materials, supplemented with resources available outside the school.
  • Keeps abreast of current literature by reading reviewing journals and other selection resources.
  • Develops flexible circulation, loan and use policies that ensure equity of access to users.
  • Assures access to information resources by providing an accurate and efficient retrieval system. -Implements policies that respect the rights of users to confidentiality and unrestricted access to information resources.
  • Assists all users in identifying, locating and interpreting information.
  • Arranges for flexible scheduling of facilities, staff time and collections to meet the needs of individuals, small groups and large groups for research, browsing, recreational reading, viewing, or listening at the point of need.
  • Assesses and promotes effective use of instructional technology.