June 2004 -- Reformatted 8/01

Professional Teaching Standards for Library Media Specialists

A Library Media Specialist has the knowledge and skills to create active learning environments that ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. The Library Media Specialist performs the following roles: Information Skills Teacher and Reading Advocate, Collaborative Resource, and Information Manager.

The following performance standards for Library Media Specialists support the implementation of a comprehensive Library Media Program.

A Library Media Specialist’s role as Information Skills Teacher and Reading Advocate is demonstrated by:

• Designing, developing and implementing curriculum for the purpose of solving problems and developing thoughtful positions on issues. Curricular areas of responsibility are derived from the district frameworks and include:
  • information literacy and the research process (LA/thinking skills framework)
  • literature appreciation and reading for understanding (LA framework)
  • media literacy (arts framework)
  • information technologies
  • library responsibilities
• Working collaboratively with teachers to plan, implement and evaluate instructional activities.
• Working collaboratively with teachers to facilitate student understanding and use of the research process.
• Offering a wide variety of activities that encourage a love of reading, literature appreciation, and reading for understanding.
• Assisting in the use of technology to access information outside the school.
• Creating learning opportunities that encourage the use of a variety of media to communicate ideas.
• Using a variety of instructional methods with different user groups and demonstrating the effective use of new media and technology.
• Assisting students and staff in identifying, locating and interpreting information.

A Library Media Specialist’s role as a Collaborative Resource is demonstrated by:

• Participating in building, district, department and grade-level curriculum development and assessment projects.
• Offering teachers assistance in using information and communication resources, acquiring and accessing instructional materials, and incorporating information skills into the classroom curriculum.
• Working collaboratively with teachers to improve instructional activities.
• Providing staff with opportunities to learn new technologies.
• Providing leadership in the assessment, evaluation and implementation of instructional technologies.
• Acting as an instructional leader by working with staff as a facilitator for professional growth.
• Encouraging community use of the library media center and its resources to support learning and individual growth.

The Library Media Specialist’s role as Information Manager is demonstrated by:

• Managing library staff and volunteers.
• Providing maximum access to Library Media Center for students and staff.
• Providing rich and diverse resources for meeting learning and personal needs.
• Making resources available to students and staff through a systematically developed library collection and through access to resources outside the school.
• Promoting policies and procedures to ensure equitable access to information.
• Articulating issues and procedures surrounding intellectual property such as copyright and fair use.
• Articulating intellectual freedom issues and managing challenges to materials knowledgeably and diplomatically.
• Providing access to the collection through an accurate and efficient management system.
• Providing timely and accessible information about new materials, equipment and services that meet information needs and interests.
• Selecting and ordering library materials.
• Managing the library media budget.
• Providing coordination and liaison with technical support personnel.