The Role of the Library Media Specialist
An effective school library plays a critical role in preparing learners for life in an information-rich society. School libraries are dynamic learning environments that bridge the gap between access and opportunity for all K–12 learners.
Grounded in standards and best practice, school libraries are an integral component of the educational landscape. The school library provides access to a wide array of resources and an environment in which teaching and learning are the primary emphases.
The school library provides a space and place for personalized learner success; learners are encouraged to explore questions of personal and academic relevance. Under the direction of a qualified school librarian, school libraries are instrumental in fostering literacy and teaching inquiry skills to support lifelong learning.
Instruction and services provided through the school library are developed around six essential Shared Foundations—Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore, and Engage:
- Inquire: Inquiry and investigation are at the core of the school library. Through scaffolding the use of an inquiry-based model of learning, the school library offers multiple opportunities for learners to integrate new and existing knowledge.
- Include: An effective school library includes inclusive resources, programs, and services that meet the needs of all learners; represents various points of view on current and historical issues; and provides support across a wide range of interest areas with opportunities for learners to recognize themselves.
- Collaborate: An effective school library encourages broadening personal knowledge and creating interconnected learning opportunities through collaboration. Users of the school library collaborate effectively, sharing ideas and information in a responsible and ethical manner.
- Curate: The effective school library includes a professionally curated collection of resources selected based on their authority, currency, relevance, scope, and relationship to other items in the collection. Using this selection model, users of the school library are encouraged to examine the authority and bias of authors or producers of information when curating resources for recreational and academic use.
- Explore: An effective school library provides learners with a venue to explore questions that arise out of personalized learning opportunities and out of individual curiosity and interest. The school library focuses on the development of a culture of reading, supports reading for learning and personal enjoyment, and provides opportunities for learners to read for pleasure. To meet the needs of all learners, the school library provides a wide variety of resources in multiple formats.
- Engage: Effective school libraries help learners engage with the principles of safe and effective 21st century information skills and provide opportunities for learners to develop competencies in a space that allows learners to share and disseminate information in this ever-changing digital landscape.
Information and Digital Literacy
Students require well-managed access to technology, print, digital, and online resources. Effective school libraries have adequate, up-to-date instructional and learning technologies and resources.
As part of the school library, the Library Media Specialist provides leadership and instruction to educators and learners on how to use resources constructively, ethically, and safely.
To ensure learners are successful, school librarians must have opportunities to update their own knowledge regarding emerging technologies. As a result, the Library Media Specialist can then provide the support and training required to assist learners and staff on how to best use resources.
Accessibility
In an effective school library, resources are available to all. Scheduling classes in the school library should allow for responsive, open and equitable access to collections and technology, and to the services of a certified school librarian.
Scheduling should be thoughtfully designed to ensure learners have access to library spaces and resources at the point of need for an integrated school library. Additionally, the school library is not confined to the physical library space. Through technology and online resources, the effective school library provides continuous access to resources, whether in the library, classroom, learner’s home, or other remote locations.
The school library’s value is demonstrated through the close alignment between the school librarian and teachers, administration, families and community partnerships.
Librarians are seen as instructional and educational leaders through participation in various initiatives and committees. For example, leadership committees that align with the school mission and strategic plan strengthen relationships for the school library and provide opportunities for library issues to be heard among decision-makers.
An effective school library is integrated into the curriculum through ongoing efforts and a strategic plan that serves the school’s mission, educational goals, and objectives, and the school community. School librarians are evaluated using the Education Assessment Model (TEAM), which outlines the specific roles, responsibilities, and competencies of the Library Media Specialist.
