Library media specialists are specially trained in the field of library science. We have been taught how to be successful information seekers, how to maintain and expand our library collections, and how to select appropriate materials for our students. Also, we continue to learn about new technology programs that will enhance curriculum as well as keep up-to-date with the latest technology. With this specialized training, library media specialists have the tools needed to maintain and provide a high quality library media program. What the media specialist does for our school and other schools across the nataion is provide a comfortable atmosphere for students to learn, select books, and to read to self. We collaborate with teachers to provide lessons to meet the specific needs of the studnets, teach computer and technology skills, and maintain and update the collection to relate to the school's curriculum and the students needs. School libraries have changed over the years from simply a check out counter to becoming information learning centers. Within these information learning centers, library media specialists teach students not only how to select books, but also life long skills to use in the real world.
1. Provide a comfortable atmosphere to learn, select books and read to self. Library media specialists are guides to help students locate materials within the media center. During a class checkout, I am available to make book recommendaitions to students and teachers, and show them where a particular type of book is located. Library media specialists also create signage to guide students to materials. These signs are located on the shelves in all sections of the library. As the collection changes and grows, library media specialists have the knowledge and training to adjust signage and shelving to provide students and teachers with the ease of finding materials. From monthly themes to posting student work, library media specialists create displays to encourage students to choose a variety of books and remind them of old favorites.
2. Collaborate with teachers to develop specific lessons that target needs of the students. Working together with grade level teachers, the library media specialist is able to develop lessons to enhance our curriculum. These collaborations will allow students to develop new skills, build on existing skills and increase student achievement.
3. Computer and Technology Skills The library media specialist teaches kindergarten and first grade students basic computer skills and provides opportunities to learn to use the computers throughout the school year. Students are able to continue refining their technology skills through the use of computer programs such as Tuxpaint and Kidspiration.
4. Select appropriate materials that relate to our school's curriculum and student needs. Book selection is a very important part of a library media specialist's job. From our training, we understand that there are different levels of readers and we order books based on the needs of the students. Osgood K-1 Center has a great selection of beginning leveled readers as well as beginning chapter books. A wide range of materials allows the collection to meet all students' needs. Communicating with teachers regularly about book recommendations and what units they are doing allows the library media specialist to have a better understanding of what kinds of materials need to be ordered. Library media specialsits also rely on book reviews from professional journals and recommendations from other media specialist within the district to make our book selection. Ever-changing information resources require qualified, trained professionals to administer and anticipate future changes. This should not be left to chance, or to untrained volunteers or paraprofessionals. Utlimately, the library media specialists role is to continue to encourage and teach students to become life long readers.
More Information: Here is a link to the research report School Libraries Work! by Scholastic. This report was developed to determine how licensed library media specialist and high quality media centers support student achievement. http://www2.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf
By: Kate Molde
1. Provide a comfortable atmosphere to learn, select books and read to self. Library media specialists are guides to help students locate materials within the media center. During a class checkout, I am available to make book recommendaitions to students and teachers, and show them where a particular type of book is located. Library media specialists also create signage to guide students to materials. These signs are located on the shelves in all sections of the library. As the collection changes and grows, library media specialists have the knowledge and training to adjust signage and shelving to provide students and teachers with the ease of finding materials. From monthly themes to posting student work, library media specialists create displays to encourage students to choose a variety of books and remind them of old favorites.
2. Collaborate with teachers to develop specific lessons that target needs of the students. Working together with grade level teachers, the library media specialist is able to develop lessons to enhance our curriculum. These collaborations will allow students to develop new skills, build on existing skills and increase student achievement.
3. Computer and Technology Skills The library media specialist teaches kindergarten and first grade students basic computer skills and provides opportunities to learn to use the computers throughout the school year. Students are able to continue refining their technology skills through the use of computer programs such as Tuxpaint and Kidspiration.
4. Select appropriate materials that relate to our school's curriculum and student needs. Book selection is a very important part of a library media specialist's job. From our training, we understand that there are different levels of readers and we order books based on the needs of the students. Osgood K-1 Center has a great selection of beginning leveled readers as well as beginning chapter books. A wide range of materials allows the collection to meet all students' needs. Communicating with teachers regularly about book recommendations and what units they are doing allows the library media specialist to have a better understanding of what kinds of materials need to be ordered. Library media specialsits also rely on book reviews from professional journals and recommendations from other media specialist within the district to make our book selection. Ever-changing information resources require qualified, trained professionals to administer and anticipate future changes. This should not be left to chance, or to untrained volunteers or paraprofessionals. Utlimately, the library media specialists role is to continue to encourage and teach students to become life long readers.
More Information: Here is a link to the research report School Libraries Work! by Scholastic. This report was developed to determine how licensed library media specialist and high quality media centers support student achievement. http://www2.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/s/slw3_2008.pdf
By: Kate Molde