Library media specialists must apply a wide variety of practical skills. Throughout the course you will be developing a Professional Toolkit containing information, resources, and examples. These materials will demonstrate how you are developing as a school library media professional. They will also reflect the important Information Power areas of collaboration, leadership, and technology.
This Professional Toolkit will contain FIVE components. Each component involves several sections or sub components. Some components provide options or choices. You should be working on and building these throughout the semester. Together these components will serve as a valuable resource base that can be expanded throughout your career as a School Library Media Specialist.
The Professional Toolkit will be worth 30% of the total course grade. Each component will be worth 6 points with a total of 30 points possible.
Components. Specific ideas for things that might be included for each item will be detailed during the course.
- Item A - Professional Connections 1 (6 Points)
- Item B - Professional Connections 2 (6 Points)
- Item C - Professional Practice 1 (6 Points)
- Item D - Professional Practice 2 (6 Points)
- Item E - Professional Practice 3 (6 Points)
Submission. Your Professional Toolkit components are submitted as web pages or attached as a Microsoft Word document(s). Submit them to your instructor at ljohnson@mail.escapees.com. View these components as not only resources that support your own professional career but as documents that can be shared with colleagues. Prepare them for a public audience. They could be used in a personal professional portfolio.
Item A - Professional Connections 1
Becoming actively involved with your profession is an essential part of the school library media specialist's career. There are many ways to build professional relationships.
The assignment contains FOUR parts.
Online Interactions(s)
(REQUIRED)
Join a professional listserv or participate in a professional forum over a period of several weeks (minimum of 6 weeks). Describe your experience. Briefly identify and summarize the most important content / discussions / issues covered.
Discuss why you feel continued participation is or is not a good use of your personal and professional time.
Professional Pathfinder
(REQUIRED)
From the first day of your job, you should have a collection of professional resources in place.
You MUST know the key professional resources and have them available quickly. Review the course resources specifically those related to your Role as a Professional and those related to Policies and Procedures. Be sure to explore resources that you have not see before.
Create a personal, professional pathfinder that includes the following elements.
- a link to this page - http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/professional.html
- links to 3 national organizations
- links to 2 state organizations
- links to 2 listservs or discussion groups
- links to 5 professional journals
- links to 5 professional websites
- links to 3 quality school library media center websites that you can use as a model for you own
- links to 5 notable people
- links to key selection tools
- links to essential position statements that guide your program (i.e., ALA Right to Read)
- links to sample policy documents that reflect your mission (i.e., sample collection development, selection criteria, reconsideration policy)
- links to key online vendors you would use for purchasing materials, furnishings, equipment, and library & promotion supplies
- Include at least five resources not found within the course materials (Be sure to identify, point-out these select items)
Each resource citation should include the title, a linked URL, author / source / publisher, and a summary description (brief sentence or phrase) that reminds one of its value.
Virtual Presence: School Library Media Center Websites
(REQUIRED)
Many school libraries maintain websites that extend some of their programs and services. Explore several school library media websites and determine your three top choice for best "SLMC Website."
Your examination and analysis can include SLMCs around the globe. The following online resources may be helpful in locating media center sites:
Library Homepages from The School Library Media Specialist
School-Libraries Net (Peter Milbury's Network of School Librarian Web Pages)
School Libraries on the Web from Wauwatosa Elementary Library Media Centers, WI
Remember the goal is to identify the three best websites. Your submission for this segment should identify your three choices, include the URL, identify the school, the webdeveloper, and summarize the content of each, and include your rationale for each choice.
After this develop a list of criteria that you would include in your own SLMC website. Think in terms of the school community, mission for the virtual library, audiences, etc. Develop a content plan whether it is a dream of a future project or something you can put into place immediately. But for this class, you only need a plan that conveys the vital elements of your envisioned site. Include your plans for developing and maintaining the site; who is involved, how often it should be updated, and an estimated amount of time needed. Finally write a brief paragraph on the value of such an endeavor; that means that you can examine the issue of whether this should be a part of your work as a school media specialist. But do not duck the issues by saying that another person will take the lead and see that this is done. Be realistic.
Professional Connections
(Choose ONE of TWO)
In addition to the REQUIRED ELEMENTS ABOVE, choose and complete ONE of the following TWO options:
Option 1: Professional Participation
(Strongly Recommend this Option):
It's never to early to become active in professional organizations. You can begin by participating in one of the following activities:
- Attend the AIME conference. Go to the conference page for more information.
- Volunteer at the AIME conference.
- Volunteer as a judge for media fair. Occurs in the spring.
- Attend the ICE conference. (January)
- Attend a National conference. Go the AECT, ALA, AASL, or NECC conference pages for more information.
Select one or more activities of a professional organization (Fall possibilities below). Attend a conference, participate, and summarize/report your experience(s). Consider 'journaling' your experience with an overview of your expectations before the conference, summaries of experiences at the meeting, and a reflection after the event.
NOTE: Attending a professional conference or meeting is recommended (If you can, attend AIME) but not a requirement. Also a meeting can be any professional gathering which benefits your personal and professional developement as a SLMS. But there is NO penalty for selecting Option 2.
Suggestions for Fall Conferences
- Annual AIME Conference - November in Indianapolis
- Other Indiana Conferences
Option 2: Professional Interaction
(Only if Option 1 is Not Possible):
Conduct a professional, electronic interview of one of the people on the Notable Professionals page. Or, conduct an interview of another well-known school library media professional that you feel should be placed on the list. Be sure to read articles and books written by this person before developing your interview questions. Keep in mind that these people are very busy and may not be able to answer your questions. Your interview should focus on this person's area of expertise.
For this option, do not interview Danny Callison, Annette Lamb, or other IU or IUPUI faculty.
Summarize the experience.
Item A: Requirement Review. Before you turn in this assignment, be sure you've included the following elements:
- Online Interactions
- Professional Pathfinder
- Virtual Presence: School Library Media Center Websites
- Professional Connection: Choose ONE of the following TWO options:
- Option 1: Professional Participation
- Option 2: Professional Interaction
Item B - Professional Connections 2
From the first day of your job, you must effectively direct a school library media program and be an advocate its success.
Professional Blog: Learn from Experts in the Field
A number of school library media specialists have agreed to share and interact with class members online. This will be accomplished using a blogsite: L553 Blog - SLMS Bridging Theory and Practice. Last year's discussion are there for you to examine, and this year's will be added chronologically.
You should interact and conduct an online discussion with a minimum of FOUR of the people who are scheduled for 3-day "blog" appearances. These persons are all successful school library media specialists / teacher librarians who currently or recently were working in the field. They are distinguished practitioners who have built and shaped successful school library programs. They bring to the class varied experiences, expertise, and opinions, and each has agreed to schedule a blog session where you can discuss ideas, issues, and pose questions related to their work and careers. These interactions are scheduled mainly in the month of October.
You may also visit the discussions from previous semesters (For repeat guests, you may want to be sure and cover 'new ground' rather than a rehash of what was already covered - - no problem with extending the conversation). The list for blog interactions for previous semesters include:
Rob Cox, , Mount Vernon Elementary, Fortville, IN
Bonnie Grimble, Carmel High School, IN
Carl Harvey, North Elementary School, Noblesville, IN
Dana Hochstedler & Rob Cox, Mt. Comfort & McCordsville Elementary Media Ctrs., Greenfield, IN
Jane Kokotkiewicz, Park Tudor School, Indianapolis, IN
Deb Levitov, Managing Editor of School Library Activities Monthly & Crinkles, formerly of Lincoln Public Schools, NB
Janette Fluharty, Avon Intermediate School East, IN
John McDonald, Connersville Middle School, IN
Nancy McGriff, South Central Elementary School, Union Mills, IN
Hella Rumschlag, Mohawk Trails Elementary School, Carmel, IN
Chris Somers, Indian Creek Middle School, Trafalgar, IN
Vickie Thomas, Anderson High School, Anderson, IN
Catherine Trinkle, Hickory Elementary, Avon, IN
Eliazbeth Winningham, Avon Intermediate School West, IN
Robyn Young, Avon High School, INSee the scheduled dates for each participant and learn more about these people at School Library Media Specialists.
In addition to completing the four interactive sessions (each requiring a string of comments, and replies / responses made on the Blog), you are to complete a summary of those online discussions identifying the learning points gained and adding your own related insights, opinions, and ideas. Your summary is part of the Toolkit assignment.
Defend Your Program
It's your first few months of your new job. The school board has indicated that they may eliminate the library media program entirely. You must defend your program. The previous librarian was a "book sitter," so there's little to support the program given the history of the position. You don't have a lot of evidence to show that your program is effective, because you just started. However you should have been collecting evidence from the first day, so you should have something to share.
School board members don't have time to read a bunch of studies. However they are very insistent that their decision be based on evidence. You'll only have five to ten minutes to present your case. You must develop a 2 page summary (not including your bibliography) of your philosophy, strategies, evidence collected in your few months of work, and support from the professional literature/research.
Use the Library Media Program Data Sources page for ideas.
Notes about due dates for Toolkit components: The course calendar shows a recommended due date for Toolbox A & B. This date is optional - - giving you the flexibility to adapt / fit requirements to your schedule. However all components (ABCD&E) are due in December. Submit any completed components as early as possible. Those who are able to do this will receive scores earlier in the course and avoid getting the bulk of the feedback at the end of the class.
Item B: Requirement Review. Before you turn in this assignment, be sure you've included the following elements:
- Professional Blog
- Defend Your Program
Items C, D and E - Professional Practice 1-3
All school library media programs must be centered on student learning. This requires collaboration with the entire learning community. If you are currently in a professional position, you may be able to build real projects to implement in your center. If not, you'll need to simulate this situation making it as real as possible. It is suggested that you use your experiences gained from interviewing media specialists and visiting centers for the foundations of this project. Or, you may draw on your own professional teaching experiences.
Choose from THREE of the following SIX projects:
Option 1: Curriculum and Collection Project
Collaboration is an essential part of the curriculum and collection development process. Consider ways that you plan to systematically involve teachers in collection development.
Collaboration and Leadership Requirement
Your job is to identify a particular area of curriculum and collection need, analyze an existing collection, and make recommendations for purchase. Your project should incorporate a particular content area or grade level focus. Discuss how you would you get these people involved with your project. How would you approach the potential partners?
Read Instructional Key Word: Collection Development by Danny Callison in School Library Media Activities Monthly, 2003. (PDF document) Then, examine a Fourth Grade Economics Inquiry Project (PDF file) and the Inquiry Budget Template (Word document).
Also, explore the collaborative planning sheets found online.
- Collaboration Forms from QVSD
- Collaborative Planning Forms from Indiana Learns
Complete the template for your own collaborative inquiry project. Or, combine elements of different sheets to build your own form. Be sure to cite the resources you use at the bottom of your form. Create a sample completed form using information from your experiences or a project you find online. If you are currently working in a library media center, try out the form and see what you think. Then, discuss why you think this form would be effective.
Technology Requirement
- Professional Plan/Proposal - word processed document
- Excel Spreadsheet - budget of project
- Form - create a standard form that you could use for other collaborative curriculum/collection development projects.
Option 2: Evidence-based Decision making
What evidence do you have that your students are learning and that your library media program is effective? This is an essential question that must be answered by all library media specialists.
Collaboration and Leadership Requirement
Create a list of evidence that you plan to begin collecting from the first day of your job. Given your busy schedule, what do you think are the most important pieces of data you'll need to make important center decisions?
Choose ONE of these data collection areas and conduct a data collection project. In other words, create and conduct a survey, participate in an inventory project, or conduct a collection mapping project. Or, choose another type of evidence-based project. If possible, collaborate with a media specialist and complete this project in a school library media setting.
Review the following resources as you explore the possibilities:
Technology Requirement
- Professional Report - word processed document detailing your plan, activities, and results
- Excel Spreadsheet - use Excel for data collection, charting or graphing
- Data Collection Materials - use technology to help you collect or analyze data. For example, you might develop a survey, create a chart, or build a graphic of results.
Option 3: Facilities Design
Collaboration and Leadership Requirement
Create a plan for a renewal project that would make a school library media center more effective, efficient, or appealing. This would involve facilities but may also include aspects of the collection. It does not need to include the entire center. For example, you may focus on the nonfiction area, storytelling section, or front-desk area. You may wish to base this on conditions you observed in your school visit. Your plan should discuss how you will identify the needs, collaborate with center users on the plan, and make evidence-based decisions.
Technology Requirement
- Professional Plan/Proposal - word processed document
- Excel Spreadsheet - budget of project
- Computer-generated layout - scale drawing using graphics software of any kind; could be used to share ideas with architect or custodian staff
- Electronic Scrapbook - photos you've taken or found in electronic catalogs of items to purchase, furnishings, carpet samples, shelving, signage, etc.
Option 4: Staff Development Project
Select an area of library staff development or classroom teacher professional development. Or, write it as a H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Grant.
Collaboration and Leadership Requirement
You have up to $3500 to spend on this project. This may include items such as equipment (i.e., digital cameras, data projector), software (i.e., copies of software for teachers, clipart collections), print materials (i.e., photo duplication, "how-to" books for library, videos), and other materials needed for teaching or learning.
Design and develop a staff development activity. Create a short piece of instruction you could use with your support staff, student workers, or classroom teachers. The instruction may be one-on-one, small group, or large group. It could also be self-instructional. You should identify a very concrete, measurable skill for this project. For example, an after-school workshop for teachers on integrating Kidspiration into the primary classroom, a lesson in shelving books for fifth grade library workers, or a self-paced handout on using an electronic databases for high school teachers. The lesson may be short (5-50 minutes), but make certain that there is a plan for practice and feedback. Remember, the skills acquisition requires active participation. Your learners should answer questions, create something, and actively complete activities. Consider using media as a tool for teaching such as a videotape or PowerPoint presentation. Or, create a worksheet or "job aid" to help them complete the task required.
Technology Requirement
- Professional Plan/Proposal - word processed document
- Excel Spreadsheet - budget of project
- Presentation Materials - develop a handout original and a PowerPoint presentation. For example, develop a PowerPoint presentation and handout for a 15-minute presentation on a specific topic related information, communication, or technology. Consider an area related to a content area interest such as reading.
- Promotional Materials - create a handout that contains the agenda for the workshop, an announcement about the workshop or other materials promoting the opportunity.
Option 5: Promotion Project
Collaboration and Leadership Requirement
Develop a marketing plan to promote a grant project, facility, materials, or program with staff, students, and the community. For ideas, go to Toolkit for School Library Media Programs and School Library Campaign. Your plan must include collaborative partners, analysis, identification of problem or need, specific goals, evidence-based decisions, timeline, activities and strategies, evaluation. Or, consider writing your project as a 2005 Scholastic Library/Grolier National Library Week Grant.
Technology Requirement
- Professional Plan/Proposal - word processed document
- Excel Spreadsheet - budget of project
- Computer-generated Promotional Materials - include a logo/slogan, standardized "look and feel," and key ideas. You should create some of the following items: flyers, brochures, handouts, bookmarks, trading cards, shelf tags, banners, displays. Feel free to get students involved in developing materials such as ceiling tiles, mobiles, logos, or other aspects. If you create displays, you should include digital photos.
Option 6: Open Option Grant Project
You're the new teacher librarian. In the past, the librarian had a candy bar drive in the fall, sold Christmas wrap from catalogs in the winter, and pushed magazines in the spring to supplement that library media budget. Your school already collects soup labels and box tops and has a soft-drink banner on the football field. This money is used for buying computers. You've decided to go another direction.
Describe one of the many funding opportunities not already mentioned. How would you develop this type of program? Why do you think it's an effective approach? What do you plan to do with the money?
Example Idea - With recent federal mandates, there has been a renewed focus on reading. In particular, many school are placing emphasis on reading across the curriculum, particularly science and social studies. Local and state literacy funding is often available for this type of initiative. Or, consider Walmart, the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries or any other suitable grant support.
Collaboration and Leadership Requirement
Review the materials at Funding Sources for ideas. Write a grant proposal for a particular funding source. Include a spreadsheet budget with specifications.
Develop a grant proposal for any area of the school library media program. This should be based on a real grant opportunity.
Technology Requirement
- Professional Plan/Proposal - word processed document
- Excel Spreadsheet - budget of project
- Other Technology Component
Be sure that you allow enough time to complete these Toolkit components to the best of your ability. Thrown-together, last-minute efforts generally do not have the detailed thought and completeness that is needed. Having said that, there is also no-need to pad any segments - - include the relevant components, enough that another educator could read the document and discern the needs to be met, objective(s), audience(s), persons involved, time and resources needed, and strategies and activities involved.
Item C, D, & E: Requirement Review. Before you turn in this assignment, be sure you've included the following elements for EACH of the options you've selected:
- Collaboration and Leadership Requirement
- Technology Requirement