Library Media Specialist

QUALIFICATIONS:

Certification by Kentucky Department of Education with proper endorsement, plus responsible experience in teaching and supervision, or any equivalent combination of experience or training.

REPORTS TO:

Principal

PRIMARY JOB GOAL:

To stimulate and develop student/staff interest in effective use of the library/media center; to maintain an environment conducive to good study and proper use; to assist the students/staff/administration in technological utilization.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of modern public school elementary/middle grades education and the ability to apply them to the needs of the school library/media center; knowledge of current curriculum, technological, and instructional practices; ability to plan, organize, and coordinate elementary/middle school level library/media center usage education; ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to develop effective working relationships with the entire school community; commitment to education reform.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

-Maintains at all times an orderly learning atmosphere and keeps the Principal fully informed of the library/media center's activities and problems.

-Establishes, develops, and maintains a functional program of library science and technology.

-Coordinates the evaluation and selection of the core of books and materials for the library/media center and organizes materials for effective library/media center usage.

-Maintains a comprehensive and efficient system for cataloging all library/media center materials, and instructs teachers and students on use of them.

-Arranges special book-related displays and exhibits likely to interest the library/media center's patrons.

-Establishes general library procedures designed to meet faculty and student needs.

-Establishes and maintains a system of accounting for library books, reference volumes, and periodicals.

-Removes obsolete and worn materials from the various collections.

-Maintains an environment conducive to positive and proper use of the library/media center by students.

-Promotes good library/media center conduct and helps pupils develop independent work habits.

-Helps students develop habits of independent reference work and develop skills in the use of reference materials in relation to planned assignments.

-Provides students with a wide variety and range of materials that will invite intellectual probing and growth, enabling them to acquire the skills needed to take full advantage of library sources.

-Develops and presents scheduled instructional programs to students, including library/media center operation and maintenance.

-Presents and discusses materials with a class studying a particular topic on the invitation of the teacher.

-Assists teachers in the full utilization of the library/media center.

-Makes recommendations to the staff, the Principal, and the SBDM Council in the selection of books and other instructional materials.

-Informs and involves teachers and other staff members, the Principal, and SBDM Council concerning new materials and other library/media center acquisitions.

-Works with teachers in planning those assignments likely to lead to extended use of library/media center resources.

-Presents and discusses materials with a class studying a particular topic after conferring with the teacher.

-Arranges for interlibrary/media center loan of materials of interest or use to teachers.

-Maintains all school audio-visual and related equipment.

-Organizes the storage and handling of audio-visual materials for convenience, availability, and effective use.

-Exercises general supervision over the scheduling of audio-visual materials for classroom use.

-Instructs and assists teachers and students in the proper use and operation of equipment, and assigns equipment to classrooms as needed.

-Sets up and arranges for operative audio-visual equipment for special programs and meetings.

-Develops and maintains inventory of all audio-visual equipment permanently assigned to the school.

-Orders and stocks supplies and parts needed for audio-visual equipment.

-Performs minor repairs and arranges for major repairs of equipment.

-Participates in school curriculum planning, and plans purchases for the library/media center based on this curriculum planning.

-Assumes responsibility for inventory and maintenance of all library materials, supplies, and equipment.

-Administers the library budget and recommends library expenditures and needs to the Principal and the SBDM Council.

-Coordinates and supervises the work of the library/media center Instructional Assistant and volunteers in the library/media center.

-Prepares a detailed annual report for the Principal and SBDM Council covering growth of the collections and programs offered, plans for development, and comparisons of the library/media center services with state and national norms and standards.

-Recommends to the Principal and SBDM Council specific long-range plans for upgrading library/media center services in the school.

-Interprets the district's school library/media center program to the news media and the public.

-Serves as Technology Coordinator for the school, and serves on the district's Technology Advisory Council.

-Participates in the writing of the district's Technology Plan.

-Works with the district Title VI (formerly Chapter 2) Coordinator, the school's staff, the Principal, and the SBDM Council on the expenditure of Title VI federal dollars; maintains an accurate ledger and inventory showing Title VI expenditures and items purchased.

-Performs related duties and assumes other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Principal or the Superintendent.