Professional development holds value for the library media specialist by providing opportunities to stay current in the field of library media, and anticipate, and respond to change in the profession. The library media specialist that stays current in their field is well-informed and confident in their role as a LMS which contributes to the library media specialist taking leadership roles.

Life-long learning is one of the most important things good library media programs try to encourage in students and in the learning community. The library media specialist must set an example of commitment to continuous learning. According to the American Library Association's Association of College and Research Libraries, professional development is "an important manifestation of the ... librarian's commitment to personal excellence" and it is an "individual responsibility that thrives on partnerships." By consistently taking advantage of professional development that allows the LMS to learn new things that will help serve library users, the LMS encourages confidence in their knowledge, abilities, and in their skill to pass on what they have learned to students, teachers, and the learning community.

Given that the library media center provides technology resources they library media specialist must stay informed in the area of technology.  Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998) states, “The school library media specialist takes a proactive role in promoting the use of technology by staff.”  Professional development in the area of technology in education and technology in information literacy will serve to help the library media specialist encourage the use of technology to enhance learning for teachers and students. Professional development in the area of technology in education/information literacy skills will also improve the library media specialist’s attempts to encourage collaboration by being able to offer the classroom teacher new and interesting ways to teach classroom content. 

The library media specialist who uses professional development to stay informed is attentive to changes and “best practices” in the areas of education and information literacy. The LMS must take a leadership role in curriculum development to assist with the implementation of “best practices” and to ensure the integration of information literacy skills across the curriculum. Professional development provides the LMS with the needed information on teaching and learning to be a curriculum leader. The LMS who makes a commitment to life-long learning through professional development will earn the respect of colleagues who must accept them in a leadership role in order for the LMS to be an effective curriculum leader. 

The library media specialist can employ professional development as an example of  life- long learning. Professional development can also provide the LMS with the needed skills to stay current in the changing worlds of information literacy, technology, and education. Showing commitment to life-long learning, staying current in the areas of information literacy, technology, and education will contribute to the library media specialist taking a leadership role.