ROLES OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST

INSTRUCTIONAL ROLE:

Creates a library media center environment that is student centered, welcoming, and supportive with equitable access to materials.

Teaches students to access, evaluate, organize, and synthesize appropriate information for specific purposes.

Understands and incorporates technology in instruction.

Understands and accommodates different learning styles and explains and demonstrates skills in a variety of ways according to students' needs.

Assesses students' learning by employing a variety of assessment tools.

Plans and modifies units and lessons to meet desired student learning outcomes.

Guides students in the development of critical and appreciative reading, viewing, and listening patterns to encourage them to become life-long readers and life long learners.

Assists students in selection of reading materials for curricular, personal, and leisure needs with an understanding of reading levels, interest levels, and curriculum.

CURRICULUM LEADERSHIP ROLE:

Works with teachers to incorporate new technologies into the curriculum.

Provides in-service training for teachers and administrators.

Understands how New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and the

corresponding Frameworks integrate library literacy skills into all subject areas.

Collaborates with teachers to incorporate literacy and research skills into all subject areas and designs instructional experiences.

Evaluates and selects library materials with an understanding of curricular requirements, learning styles, varied student interests, and reading levels as well as an understanding of state and national standards.

Suggests a variety of appropriate print, non print, and electronic resources to supplement and complement classroom materials and activities.

Provides materials to the school community as needed.

Insures a variety of appropriate print materials to promote the love of literature and lifelong reading.

ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE:

Establishes annual and long-range goals for the school library media program.

Administers, operates, and supervises the library media center, developing

policy and budgets for efficient operation and optimal service.

Maintains a current knowledge of national and state legislation and standards affecting the school, and applies this knowledge to library media center operations.

Communicates with and solicits input from various members of the school community on aspects relating to the school library media program.

Uses the district's adopted selection policy to develop a balanced collection of

electronic and print resources.

Provides equitable access to print and technological resources available through the nation's libraries.

Maintains accurate records of library media center holdings.

Trains and supervises library clerks, paraprofessionals, and adult and student

volunteers.

Applies technological and communication skills to ensure the library's computer hardware, software, and online access (databases and online public access catalog (OPAC) are sufficient to meet the needs of its users.

PROFESSIONAL ROLE:

Provides reference services to all members of the school community.

Provides information about and encourages adherence to copyright laws.

Models the principles of intellectual freedom.

Keeps informed of educationally sound, research-based practices by

participating in professional organizations, course work, workshops, conferences, and by reading professional literature.

Advocates the value of the school library media program.