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School Library Media Specialist Leadership:
An Endangered Species or Rising Phoenix?

PhoenixAlthough quality library media programs are an essential component of an effective school, they are increasingly being cut back or even eliminated. This session explores innovative ways to increase the quantity and quality of professionals and increase awareness of the evolving role of the teacher librarian as a leader in professional learning communities. It also features efforts to develop collaborative relationships across schools, universities, states/provinces that allow teachers to become certified through distance learning programs.

 

Overview

The best teachers make the best school library media specialists. Leader, collaborator, teacher librarian, information specialist... these are just a few of the words that describe today's instructional library media professional. From partnering with teachers on engaging information inquiry lessons to directing technology-rich grant projects, today's school library media specialist coordinates a learning laboratory filled with information resources and learning tools.

Studies conducted in 16 different states indicate that effective school library media specialists are found in most schools reporting high student achievement (Scholastic's School Libraries Work! 2006). As an instructional media specialist and information technologist the teacher librarian collaborates with educators across the curriculum to design inquiry-rich learning environments for children and young adults.

Across the nation, school administrators are seeking skilled educational professionals to lead their school library media program. Particularly in rural areas, school districts are having difficulty finding qualified applicants.

Innovative Approaches

Many school districts and university programs are using innovative approaches to meet the need for school librarians.

Partnerships. Bridging theory and practice has always been a key to successful induction of new media specialists and recruitment of practicing teachers.

  • K12-University Connections - In What Grad Schools Can Do for You, Whelan notes that many innovative graduate programs develop partnerships with practicing school librarians.
  • K12-University-Professional Organizations - Encourage students to become active early and co-present with classroom teachers, become involved in media fair.

Mentor Programs. Connecting established media specialists with new media specialists is a popular approach.

Grow Your Own. The best teachers make the best media specialists! Grassroots efforts to “grow your own media specialist” are gaining in popularity. Principals are being encouraged to look within their school for potential media specialists. Some graduate programs are working with school districts to provide opportunities for classroom teachers to pursue library media certifications. Examples:

Strategies for building these grassroots programs:

  • Cohort groups
  • Job shadowing
  • High school and college internships
  • Distance learning
  • Promote with principals and current media specialists
  • Don't just focus on reading and language arts. Also seek out the best in other disciplines such as social studies and science teachers.

Work with principals to seek out teachers who exhibit some of the following qualities:

  • Often collaborate with other teachers in the building
  • Enjoy professional development activities and often share what they've learned with colleagues
  • Express interests beyond a single subject area and grade level
  • Successfully connect standards with instructional and informational materials
  • Use a variety of resources in teaching and learning
  • Express interests in integrating technology
  • Demonstrate an interest in inquiry

High-Need Focus. Some programs focus on particular areas of need such as the need for rural or urban media specialists.

Build Bridges. Be proactive and innovative. Cross-list courses and encourage students to explore multiple endorsement and opportunities.

  • Advertise and present across disciplines
  • Develop partnerships with education, technology, and library departments (within universities and school districts)
  • Encourage multiple endorsements (library/media/computer)
  • Look for people outside our profession: conservationist, scientist, lawyers, other.

Distance Learning Programs

Collaborative Graduate Programs. The WISE program, funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, encourages collaboration among ALA-accredited Schools of Library and Information Science including online course sharing. Similar collaborations are needed among universities offering programs for school library media specialists. However these relationships are difficult to establish given that programs are often scattered across the university including departments of curriculum and instruction, educational technology, educational leadership, and library science among others.

  • Establish ongoing discussions among graduate programs around the globe that are considering collaboration.
  • Sharing Faculty and Courses
  • Barriers: university regulations (i.e. required courses, course naming, prerequisites), state regulations, faculty status issues, out-of-state tuition issues
  • Advantages: varied approaches and perspectives, broad faculty examples and experiences
  • WISE Education

Online Certification Programs. The Online Blue Ribbon Certification Program from Indiana University at Indianapolis designed for educators who hold a valid, current teaching license. Entering students must demonstrate leadership in team-teaching and technology integration. They must hold a state teaching certification and have teaching and leadership experience. The totally online program is designed to meet the Indiana Professional Standards Board requirements, NCATE certification requirements and AASL requirements and also provides a foundation for constructing a portfolio to gain national certification in school media. In addition, the program is aligned with certification requirements in all 50 states. The program is designed to attract teachers with proven leadership and instructional skills who can manage their time and technology access in order to achieve high performance in the online offerings. Although the program doesn’t require face-to-face class meeting, it does involve participants in creating ongoing relationships with schools and professional educators through field-based partnerships and activities. Learn more at < http://eduscapes.com/blueribbon >

 

The Challenges

This session explores the issues and challenges facing the school library profession. It also suggests practical, researched-based solutions that will ensure that the school library media specialist is increasing viewed as rising phoenix rather than an endangered species.

Impact of School Libraries on Academic Achievement: The Need for Quality Research

Profession Outlook

Recruitment Programs

 

 
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Developed by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 10/06.