Library Media Specialist (PK-8)

About the role

This class is accountable for establishing and coordinating the services of the school library-media center and technology lab appropriate to the educational needs of all students.

Provides a full spectrum of educational enrichment materials to ensure that students will find available instructional and non-instructional materials appropriate to their interests, abilities, and level of maturity.

Makes sure students and teachers are effective users of information and ideas by providing instruction in the use of technology to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing and using information and ideas.

Responsibilities

• Administers a program that provides for learning experiences utilizing technology and resources accessed from classrooms or other locations outside of the library information center.
• Analyzes instructional and technological requirements and other features of the school to recommend appropriate staffing and training necessary to meet the learning and information needs of the students and to ensure the effectiveness of the program.
• Assists teachers and learners in developing appropriate activities for assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum.
• Assists teachers and other educational staff in developing connections among subjects, standards, and strategies for learning.
• Assists teachers and students in finding, evaluating, and developing these additional resources.
• Assists teachers in developing interdisciplinary connections using a variety of resources and technologies.
• Builds support for the role of the library media program in teaching and learning through the effective use of influence strategies.
• Catalogs, classifies, and arranges information resources in various forms and media according to recognized standards.
• Collaborates and communicates with all staff, and particularly the technology staff, to identify and use the full range of learning technologies required to meet students' informational needs.
• Collaborates with classroom teachers in the creation and implementation of their content-area standards, goals, and visions.
• Collaborates with classroom teachers in the creation of integrated classroom assignments and projects.
• Collaborates with other members of the learning community to ensure that the school library information program is able to meet the individual learning needs of students.
• Collaborates with the technology department to plan budgets and purchases software and hardware that meet the school curriculum needs and support the library information center, the classroom, and individual learning needs of students.
• Collaborates with the technology staff on issues of software and hardware compatibility.
• Communicates effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and the community.
• Communicates effectively with the technology staff and other educators about learning technology needs of the students who use the library information center.
• Communicates with the community the relationship of library media programs to students' achievement and lifelong learning for everyone.
• Contributes to the school curriculum by attending school and district curriculum meetings.
• Co-teaches and mentors along with the classroom teacher on projects and assignments for students.
• Creates and implements the library media program.
• Creates and maintains inviting, attractive physical spaces that encourage a positive learning climate.
• Demonstrates leadership in curricular planning and assessment.
• Demonstrates leadership in evaluating the effectiveness of the library media program in improving teaching and learning.
• Develops a budget and locates sources of funding that provide for purchasing and upkeep of all resources required for an effective school library information program.
• Develops action plans in conjunction with the technology specialist to accommodate changes in critical areas such as the utilization of new resources and technologies.
• Develops facility plans to include learning technology systems to meet students' needs in the library information center which may include but are not limited to video/playback production units, CD-ROM towers and servers, electronic card catalogues, and on-line reference resources.
• Encourages and assists students to seek information from diverse sources, contexts, disciplines, and cultures through equitable access to information.
• Encourages and engages students in reading, viewing, and listening for understanding and enjoyment.
• Encourages and guides the student to produce and communicate information and ideas in appropriate formats using critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Encourages collaboration with the technology specialist and others, both in person and through the use of various technologies, to design, develop, and evaluate information products and solutions.
• Ensures that policies on information use and distribution are reviewed and approved by appropriate governing bodies.
• Establishes and maintains ties with information resources and services within the wider community.
• Establishes effective interpersonal relationships that demonstrate an understanding of curriculum objectives, effective listening, and negotiation of responsibility for activities.
• Establishes, maintains, and supervises the school's library resource program and library information program support personnel.
• Facilitates students' access to information and resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience with managing school site collections and the selection/acquisition of materials and equipment.
• Previous teaching and/or related school experience.