Teacher-librarian
Encyclopedia
A teacher-librarian, school librarian, or school library media specialist (SLMS), is a certified teacher
who also has training in librarian
ship. According to the American Association of School Librarians
(AASL), a division of the American Library Association
(ALA), the official title for a certified librarian who works in a school in the United States is school librarian.
and inquiry. School librarians may read to children, assist them in selecting books, and assist with schoolwork. Some school librarians see classes on a "flexible schedule". A flexible schedule means that rather than having students come to the library for instruction at a fixed time every week, the classroom teacher schedules library time when the expertise of the school librarian, library and information skills, or materials are needed as part of a learning experience.
In the instructional partner role, school librarians collaborate with classroom teachers to create independent learners by fostering students' research
, information literacy
, technology, communication, and critical thinking skills.
As information specialists, school librarians develop a resource base for the school by using the curriculum and student interests to identify and obtain library materials, organize and maintain the library collection in order to promote independent reading and lifelong learning. Materials in the library collection can be located using an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC
)
This role also encompasses many activities relating to technology including the integration of resources in a variety of formats: periodical databases; Web sites; digital video segments; podcasts; blog and wiki content; digital images; virtual classrooms, etc. School librarians are often responsible for audio-visual equipment and are sometimes in charge of school computer
s and computer network
s.
As program administrators, school librarians define, lead, and manage school library media programs by establishing library policies; overseeing the library budget; planning the physical and virtual library space; and maintaining a welcoming, positive, and innovative learning atmosphere.
, a teacher-librarian must have a baccalaureate degree and a certificate in secondary
or elementary education, and must also complete a school library media program and gain a state certification. Programs in library science
vary between institutions; however, state requirements must be met before a library media specialist is allowed to teach. Some school library media specialists hold the full Masters of Library Science (MLS) or Masters of Library Information Science (MLIS) degree, while others do not. In many instances, school librarians who have an MLS but do not have the requisite teaching credentials must obtain these teaching credentials and classroom teaching experience first before they are permitted to work as teacher-librarians, and often additional library science graduate coursework is required, focused specifically on issues pertaining to school librarianship.
Certification requirements vary widely from state to state, as does the title of the SLMS. Some of the coursework may include collaboration skills, cataloging, technology, collection development, children’s and young adult literature, advanced research methods, and various other topics.
Standard 1 relates to students' ability to think critically and gain knowledge through using a variety of technology tools to access multiple media.
In Standard 2, students use information to "draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge."
Standard 3 states that students will "share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society." Students use technology ethically to share information.
In Standard 4, students "pursue personal and aesthetic growth" by becoming inspired learners who seek information for personal enjoyment and growth. Students are encouraged to communicate their interests through a variety of means including the "social Web" or Web 2.0
tools.
, a division of the American Library Association
; the School Library Association
in the United Kingdom and the Australian School Library Association http://asla.org/au host websites, publish journals, and sponsor conferences, workshops, and other events which showcase current research and practices in the field.
In the United States, teacher-librarians are also supported by state organizations which advocate for teachers at the district and school level. A comprehensive list is available from the ALA.
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
who also has training in librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
ship. According to the American Association of School Librarians
American Association of School Librarians
The American Association of School Librarians has been a division of the American Library Association since 1951. Prior to that, school librarians were served by the School Library Section of ALA founded in 1914 which itself emerged from the Roundtable of Normal and High School Librarians which...
(AASL), a division of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
(ALA), the official title for a certified librarian who works in a school in the United States is school librarian.
The roles of the school librarian
The school librarian performs four main leadership roles: teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator. In the teacher role, the school librarian develops and implements curricula relating to information literacyInformation literacy
The National Forum on Information Literacy defines information literacy as “...the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand.” This is the most common definition; however,...
and inquiry. School librarians may read to children, assist them in selecting books, and assist with schoolwork. Some school librarians see classes on a "flexible schedule". A flexible schedule means that rather than having students come to the library for instruction at a fixed time every week, the classroom teacher schedules library time when the expertise of the school librarian, library and information skills, or materials are needed as part of a learning experience.
In the instructional partner role, school librarians collaborate with classroom teachers to create independent learners by fostering students' research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
, information literacy
Information literacy
The National Forum on Information Literacy defines information literacy as “...the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand.” This is the most common definition; however,...
, technology, communication, and critical thinking skills.
As information specialists, school librarians develop a resource base for the school by using the curriculum and student interests to identify and obtain library materials, organize and maintain the library collection in order to promote independent reading and lifelong learning. Materials in the library collection can be located using an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC
OPAC
An Online Public Access Catalog is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries...
)
This role also encompasses many activities relating to technology including the integration of resources in a variety of formats: periodical databases; Web sites; digital video segments; podcasts; blog and wiki content; digital images; virtual classrooms, etc. School librarians are often responsible for audio-visual equipment and are sometimes in charge of school computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s and computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
s.
As program administrators, school librarians define, lead, and manage school library media programs by establishing library policies; overseeing the library budget; planning the physical and virtual library space; and maintaining a welcoming, positive, and innovative learning atmosphere.
Certification
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a teacher-librarian must have a baccalaureate degree and a certificate in secondary
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
or elementary education, and must also complete a school library media program and gain a state certification. Programs in library science
Library science
Library science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
vary between institutions; however, state requirements must be met before a library media specialist is allowed to teach. Some school library media specialists hold the full Masters of Library Science (MLS) or Masters of Library Information Science (MLIS) degree, while others do not. In many instances, school librarians who have an MLS but do not have the requisite teaching credentials must obtain these teaching credentials and classroom teaching experience first before they are permitted to work as teacher-librarians, and often additional library science graduate coursework is required, focused specifically on issues pertaining to school librarianship.
Certification requirements vary widely from state to state, as does the title of the SLMS. Some of the coursework may include collaboration skills, cataloging, technology, collection development, children’s and young adult literature, advanced research methods, and various other topics.
National board certification
The school library media specialist (SLMS) has the opportunity to become nationally board certified. The certification requires the development of a professional portfolio and, once certified, could increase the salary of the SLMS (Morris, 2004).Standards for the 21st century learner
To alleviate the inconsistencies in state standards regarding media education and to encompass new teaching and learning challenges resulting from changes in information and technology, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) created the Standards for the 21st Century Learner. This document, published in 2007, built upon AASL's 1998 Information Literacy Standards for Students to include specific skills, dispositions, self-assessments, and responsibilities for students.Standard 1 relates to students' ability to think critically and gain knowledge through using a variety of technology tools to access multiple media.
In Standard 2, students use information to "draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge."
Standard 3 states that students will "share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society." Students use technology ethically to share information.
In Standard 4, students "pursue personal and aesthetic growth" by becoming inspired learners who seek information for personal enjoyment and growth. Students are encouraged to communicate their interests through a variety of means including the "social Web" or Web 2.0
Web 2.0
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
tools.
Professional organizations
Teacher-librarians rely on the support of local, state, national, and international professional organizations for career and professional development, employment opportunities, and awards/grants/funding. Groups like the International Association of School Librarianship http://www.iasl-online.org; the American Association of School LibrariansAmerican Association of School Librarians
The American Association of School Librarians has been a division of the American Library Association since 1951. Prior to that, school librarians were served by the School Library Section of ALA founded in 1914 which itself emerged from the Roundtable of Normal and High School Librarians which...
, a division of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
; the School Library Association
School Library Association
The School Library Association is an independent organization in the United Kingdom which promotes libraries and literacy in schools. The SLA was founded in 1937 and is based at Wanborough, Wiltshire, near Swindon...
in the United Kingdom and the Australian School Library Association http://asla.org/au host websites, publish journals, and sponsor conferences, workshops, and other events which showcase current research and practices in the field.
In the United States, teacher-librarians are also supported by state organizations which advocate for teachers at the district and school level. A comprehensive list is available from the ALA.