Library Media Specialist (5-6)

• Assists students, staff, parents, and community in identifying, locating, and interpreting information obtained from various sources.

• Provides a variety of reading materials and promotional activities that support the curriculum and foster life-long reading and learning habits.

• Collaborates in interdisciplinary teaching units where the resources and activities of the program are in integral, not supplementary, part of the unit.

• Provides assistance and resources for “students and teachers as RESEARCHERS” to develop analytical strategies.

• Assists students and staff in production of curriculum-related multimedia presentations.

• Provides assistance and instruction to staff in utilizing library media resources, including technology.

• Promotes, models, and provides leadership in the selection, coordination, evaluation, and use of technology in the curriculum and instruction.

• Helps maintain the school’s home page site.

• Provides and develops Internet research resources and lists of home page sites and makes them available to teachers and students.

• Provides a friendly, safe, secure, and attractive environment.

• Assures that students, staff, parents, and community have access to the library media center throughout the school day.

• Designs and implements a flexible schedule to meet the needs of students and staff.

• Arranges materials, equipment, and furnishings for optimum use by students and faculty.

• Provides an environment in which the students follow accepted standards of behavior that are conducive to learning.

• Publicizes services of the library media center and encourages use of its resources.

• Manages the evaluation, selection, acquisition, and processing of print and non-print curriculum-related resources and equipment.

• Maintains and provides access to a current and balanced collection of resources using professional selection tools and educator/student input that supports the curriculum and school learning community.

• Administers library media center budgets according to priorities of the building instructional program and the established district business practices.

• Oversees computers, software, and other technology resources of the library.

• Manages the instructional technology infrastructure as applicable to building needs.

• Encourages, models, and leads the school in the innovative use of new technology by providing a multimedia collection, including access to telecommunications and offering staff development.

• Assures that access to the library media center collection is provided by an accurate and efficient retrieval system that uses the expanded search capabilities available through technology.

• Oversees parent and student volunteers who work in the library media center.

• Supervises and evaluates the library instructional aides.

• Establishes a system of record keeping and prepares reports.

• Withdraws obsolete materials and equipment.

• Provides staff development that integrates media, technology, and activities to enhance the curriculum.

• Provides leadership in the utilization of technology.

• Attends staff development sessions and actively participates on campus/district level committees.

• Keeps the principal and staff informed about library media center activities and needs.

• Provides access to professional material and information.

• Remains current regarding established laws, policies, rules, and regulations.

• Participates in professional organizations and activities which relate to library media and technology (i.e., visits other LMCs, participates in continuing education courses, workshops and conferences).

• Support the Library Bill of Rights, School Library Bill of Rights, and Intellectual Freedom documents published by the American Library Association.

• Regular attendance.

• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Master's degree
• Valid Texas teaching certificate
• Valid School Librarian certificate, or other appropriate Texas certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Proven leadership skills in:

• Working with people
• Curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation
• Organization and follow through
• Communication, oral and written
• Budget planning
• Interfacing library program with other programs
• Ability to work under pressure

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environment Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Occasional district travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours.