Job Description:

The Library Media Specialist facilitates the efficient operation of the school’s library services.  This position reports to the Principal.


Qualifications:

• Education:  Bachelor's degree; Master's degree preferred. Must have completed an approved program for Library Media Specialist.
• Certificates & Licenses:  Valid Virginia Department of Education license with an endorsement in Library Media, or eligibility to obtain one.
• Experience:  Previous experience as a Media Specialist preferred. Knowledge of library media services.

Essential Functions:

1. Human Behavior
   • Relates knowledge of the characteristics of human growth and development to decisions on the effective use of media in appropriate learning experiences.
   • Exercises leadership through assisting individuals and groups in the learning process.
   • Establishes and maintains an atmosphere in which library media center staff, faculty, and students work harmoniously at optimum levels.
   • Plans learning activities which allows students to move toward independence and self-directed learning.
   • Identifies and evaluates student performance capabilities for particular types of learning activities and tasks.
   • Participates in continuous assessment of curriculum and instructional programs based on documented curriculum objectives.
2. Learning and Learning Environment
   • Applies the principles of learning and learning theory to assist the learner in his/her pursuit of individual and group research and inquiry. Participates in the design, construction, and revision of curriculum on a continuous basis.
   • Provides leadership in establishing goals and objectives for the library media program as an integral part of the educational mission of the school.
   • Plans learning activities which allow students to move toward independence and self-directed learning.
   • Identifies and evaluates student performance capabilities for particular types of learning activities and tasks.
   • Participates in continuous assessment of curriculum and instructional programs based on documented curriculum objectives.
3. Planning and Evaluation
   • Determines the goals, functions, and components of the library media program to support the objectives of the total school program.
   • Assesses the status of the library media program to plan for future development.
   • Analyzes the assessment findings to plan for the future development of the media program.
   • Identifies and implements goals and objectives for the short and long-range development of the library media program.
   • Develops and implements a continuous evaluation plan to identify the operational strengths and weaknesses of the library media program.
   • Designs, develops, and writes proposals for acquiring local, state, and federal funds to support and extend the library media program.
4. Media
   • Develops and implements criteria for evaluating and selecting all types of media and instructional equipment.
   • Builds a collection of bibliographic tools to provide current information about media and equipment.
   • Establishes and administers procedures for preview, evaluation, and selection of media and instructional equipment.
   • Evaluates and selects teaching and learning resources appropriate to the developmental needs of students and supportive of curricular objectives.
   • Maintains on-going acquisition program for media resources and instructional equipment.
   • Organizes library media and equipment through a system of cataloging, classification, and indexing which will provide continuous user access
   • Develops bibliographies for faculty/student use in the selection of learning resources.
   • Provides consultation and support for all staff development activities conducted in school.
   • Provides continuous information to students on the materials, equipment and services available through the Library Media Center.
   • Motivates and guides students in the development of reading, viewing, and listening skills which encompass both cognitive and effective competencies.
   • Instructs students in the effective use of library resources and equipment.
   • Instructs students in skills related to retrieving, documenting, evaluation, synthesizing, and using information sources to meet instructional objectives and personal needs.
   • Supervises students in their use of resources and equipment in the library media center.
   • Assesses student use of resources and equipment.
   • Develops a continuous public relations program to stimulate faculty and student use of library resources, equipment, and services.
   • Provides production facilities and services to support the educational programs.
   • Informs faculty and students of the types of production services available or specific needs.
   • Produces instructional media to meet specific instructional objectives.
   • Adopts and edits locally produced media to meet learning needs.
   • Promotes effective use of instructional television and video resources.
   • Produces video programs to meet instructional needs.
   • Implements the effective use of Technology in the instructional program (on-line information retrieval; word processing; graphics production, and other related uses).
5. Management
   • Applies the principles of management to the development and operation of the library media program.
   • Provides leadership for the development and administration of the library media program.
   • Initiates, develops, and implements policies and procedures for the operation of the Library Media Center.
   • Plans and implements functional organizational patterns for staffing the library media center.
   • Assists in the selection and evaluation of Library Media Center personnel.
   • Implements personnel policies and procedures conducive to effective personnel relationships.
   • Administers personnel policies for the effective operation of the library media program.
   • Provides opportunities for library media center personnel to participate in staff development in an in service training activities.
   • Prepares and provides rationale for Library Media Center budget in conjunction with Principal and Director of Libraries and Instructional Resources.
   • Administers the library media center budget to implement programs.
   • Prepares and administers budget for library media center resources and equipment as part of special project funded by private, local, state, or federal monies.
   • Participates in the planning of Library Media Center facilities which will support and enhance the instructional program.
   • Prepares statistical records and written records of the library media program including monthly reports; biennial state media reports, and annual equipment inventory reports.
   • Develops methods and techniques for promoting the role of the library media program in the school and community.
   • Implements policies and procedures for the purpose of maintaining control systems for the library media, equipment, and facilities.
   • Knows legislation such as copyright laws which affects the library media programs and makes appropriate application to library media center operations and disseminates guidelines to faculty and staff.
6. Research
   • Applies research principles to the development of the library media program.
   • Utilizes existing research finding to improve the library media center programs.
   • Implements action research and applies finding to improvement of the library media program.
   • Assists teachers in locating research materials.
7. Professional Growth and Development
   • Exercises a leadership role in the educational and local communities.
   • Utilizes existing research findings to improve the library media center programs.
   • Advocates and supports opportunities for professional improvement.
   • Engages in continuous study and self-evaluation for professional growth.
   • Assists teachers in locating professional resources to stimulate professional growth.
   • Supports academic freedom for teachers and students.
8. Performs other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.