Library Media Specialist
Job Goal
To ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.
To empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information and technology.
To instill a love of learning in all students and ensure equitable access to information.
To collaborate with classroom teachers and specialists to design and implement lessons and units of instruction, and assess student learning and instructional effectiveness.
To provide the leadership and expertise necessary to ensure that the school library program (SLP) is aligned with the mission, goals, and objectives of the school and the school district, and is an integral component of the learning/instructional program.
Qualifications
- Minimum of a B.S. Degree in the area of instructional responsibility required.
- Alabama State Department of Education Teaching Certification in the area of instructional responsibility required.
- Must meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457 .
- Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
FLSA Status
Exempt
Supervisor
Principal
Supervises
Library Aides, Student Interns, Student Assistants and Parent Volunteers
Required Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities
- Knowledge of content, curriculum, methods, materials and equipment needed by different departments in the school setting.
- Knowledge of materials and equipment appropriate for effective teaching and learning.
- Knowledge of school’s program of studies related to mission, goals and organization.
- Knowledge and skill in the operation of computers and computer programs.
- Ability to move around the room in order to monitor and assist students.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, parents and peers.
- Ability to apply knowledge of current research, technology and theory to the library facility.
- Excellent human relations skills.
- Skilled and effective in oral and written communication.
- Physical ability to handle, move, retrieve, and/or deliver large and/or heavy library materials and equipment.
Performance Responsibilities
- As a school leader, the school librarian creates an environment where collaboration and creative problem solving thrive. The school librarian is an excellent communicator who instills enthusiasm in others by making them feel that they are important members of a team. Strong leaders foster an environment of creativity, innovation, and openness to new ideas, welcoming and encouraging input from others to create consensus. They anticipate future obstacles and continually retool to meet challenges. The school librarian demonstrates his or her role as a visible and active leader within the school community, an advocate for the school library program, and a professional member of the school library community by:
- providing input and assistance to other school personnel by actively serving on decision-making teams in the school.
- taking an active role in school improvement and accreditation activities.
- sharing expertise by presenting at faculty meetings, parent meetings, and school board meetings.
- creating an environment that is conducive to active and participatory learning, resource-based instructional practices, and collaboration with teaching staff.
- sharing with the learning community collaboratively developed and up-to-date district policies concerning such issues as materials selection, circulation, reconsideration of materials, copyright, privacy, and acceptable use.
- encouraging the use of instructional technology to engage students and to improve learning, providing 24/7 access to digital information resources for the entire learning community.
- remaining current in professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research applicable to school library programs.
- Takes leave time in accordance with Board policy and reports all absences to the district’s absence management system in a timely manner.
- Reports to work on time and regularly as designated by work schedule.
- As an instructional partner the school librarian works with teachers and other educators to build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources. The school librarian demonstrates his or her role as an essential and equal partner in the instructional process by:
- participating in the curriculum development process to ensure that the curricula include the full range of literacy skills (information, media, visual, digital, and technological literacy) necessary to meet content standards and to develop lifelong learners.
- collaborating with teachers and students to design and teach engaging inquiry and learning experiences and assessments that incorporate multiple literacies and foster critical thinking.
- participating in the implementation of collaboratively planned learning experiences by providing group and individual instruction, and evaluating activities.
- joining with teachers and others to plan and implement meaningful experiences that will promote a love of reading and lifelong learning.
- providing and planning professional development opportunities within the school and district for and with all staff, including other school librarians.
- As information specialist, the school librarian provides leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources and technologies in all formats, as well as expertise in the ethical use of information. The school librarian ensures equitable access and responsible use of information by:
- developing and maintaining a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, the learners, and the teaching styles and instructional strategies used within the school community in accordance with district policy.
- cooperating and networking with other libraries, librarians, and agencies to provide access to resources outside the school.
- modeling effective strategies for developing multiple literacies.
- evaluating, promoting, and using existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, supplement school resources, connect the school with the global learning community, communicate with students and teachers, and provide 24/7 access to library services.
- actively participating in and working with other school personnel in the selection of books, equipment, and other library materials which provide the student with the best learning opportunities.
- understanding copyright, fair use, and licensing of intellectual property, and assisting users with their understanding and observance of the same.
- organizing the collection for maximum and effective use.
- As a teacher, the school librarian empowers students to become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. The school librarian supports students’ success by guiding them in:
- reading for understanding, for exposure to diversity of viewpoints and genres, and for pleasure.
- using information for defined and self-defined purposes.
- building on prior knowledge and constructing new knowledge.
- embracing the world of information and all its formats.
- working with peers in successful collaboration for learning.
- constructively assessing their own learning and the work of their peers.
- As library program administrator, the school librarian works collaboratively with members of the learning community to define the policies of the school library program, and to guide and direct all activities related to it. The school librarian maximizes the efficiency and effectiveness of the school library program by:
- initiating contact with faculty and students in promoting and providing library services, resources and guidance.
- using strategic planning for the continuous improvement of the program.
- ensuring that school library program goals and objectives are aligned with school and district long-range strategic plans.
- using effective management principles, including the supervision of personnel, resources, and facilities, in developing and implementing program goals and objectives.
- supervising and evaluating support staff, which may include library aides, computer education assistants, volunteers, and student assistants.
- preparing, justifying, and administering the school library program budget to support specific program goals.
- establishing processes and procedures for selection, acquisition, circulation, resource sharing, etc. that assure appropriate resources are available when needed.
- creating and maintaining in the school library a teaching and learning environment that is inviting, safe, flexible, and conducive to student learning.
- selecting and using effective technological applications for management purposes.
- participating in the recruiting, hiring, and training of other professionals, educational library assistants, students, and volunteer staff.
- arranging for flexible scheduling of the school libraries to provide student accessibility to staff and resources at point of need.
- ensuring equitable physical access to school library facilities by providing barrier-free, universally designed environments.
- Assumes other reasonably and equitable job-related duties by the immediate supervisor.
Terms of Employment
The terms of employment shall be in accordance with provisions of the Board’s Policy Manual, Students First Act and the Board’s Salary Schedule – Library Media Specialist.
Evaluation
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel .
SOURCE: Tuscaloosa City Schools, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
DATE: 2/3/77
REVISED: 7/1/97
2/6/18
