Roles of the Teacher-Librarian
The School Library Media Center is the link between teachers, students and the resources needed to enhance learning. To create and maintain this link, the Library Media Specialist fills the roles of teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, parent partner, and media center coordinator.
I. As a Teacher
The Media Specialist’s primary role is one of teacher. Working with teachers, students, and parents, the Media Specialist creates a learning environment based on best practices. The District’s curriculum is the basis for lesson development. Strategies and skills taught in the Media Center apply to lifelong success not just success in the Media Center. II. As an Instructional Partner As an instructional partner the School Library Media Specialist (SLMS): a. Collaborates with classroom teachers to plan units of study. b. Enhances classroom curriculum and learning strategies. c. Aides in curriculum planning and assessments. d. Selects the right technology to enhance curriculum instruction. III. As an Information Specialist The information glut created by the World Wide Web stresses the importance of developing students' information literacy skills. Simply accessing vast amounts of information does not insure learning. For students to effectively use information, they must acquire the skills needed to not only obtain information but evaluate and manage it. The Media Center prepares learners to be more than retrievers of information, but creators of knowledge. IV. As a Parent Partner Providing services to parents is one way the Media Center extends teaching beyond its walls. When teachers and parents work as partners, opportunities are created for students to apply their newly learned skills to every day settings. V. As a Media Center Coordinator As the Media Center Coordinator the Media Specialist manages the day to day operations of the center.
Policy and Procedures
Library Visits: The students are scheduled to come to the Media Center for class. The thirty five minute session is divided, so that students spend time in both media and technology. In addition to these scheduled visits, the students are welcome to visit the library before school and during recess time with teacher permission.
Book care and use is discussed in Media Class. Students are responsible for caring for books while they are in their possession and returning books on time.
Check Out Procedure: Students are given the opportunity to check out books each time they come to the Media Center. Additional books are checked out, to students, to complete class projects. Students do not have to wait until Media Class to check out books, but are welcome to come into the center any day. Kindergarten students do not take the books, they have checked out, home until second semester. K and 1st One Book 2nd Two Books 3rd Two Books 4th Two Books 5th Two Books
When students have overdue books, they will not be able to check out additional books until the late items are returned to the center. Books should come to the Media Center, each Media/Technology day, to be renewed.
Lost and Damaged Books: Unfortunately accidents happen and books are lost or damaged. If a book is lost or damaged the student will be asked to pay for it. Students are not able to check out until their lost or damaged book is paid for. If a lost book is found, after it has been paid for, money will be refunded if the book is in good condition and Media Center markings are present.
Internet and Media Consent forms: Each year students must sign and return an internet use agreement and a media consent form. Students will be unable to use technology, in the building, if these agreements are not signed and returned.