The library media specialist must carry out many roles to prepare students for information literacy in the 21^st Century. Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998), defines four areas of responsibility for the school library media specialist. To perform the role of library media specialist in the learning community the library media specialist must operate as a teacher, an instructional partner, an information specialist and a program administrator.  

The library media specialist has a responsibility as a teacher. To perform the role of teacher the library media specialist must teach students skills they need to be information literate. According to Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998.) a library media specialist is:

“An effective instructor of students, the library media specialist is knowledgeable about current research on teaching and learning and skilled in applying its findings to a variety of situations-particularly those that call upon students to access, evaluate, and use information from multiple sources in order to learn, to think, and to create and apply new knowledge.” (p. 4)

 In role of teacher the library media specialist must be a promoter of collaboration.  Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998.) states:  “As a teacher, the library media specialist collaborates with students and other members of the learning community to analyze learning and information needs, to locate and use resources that will meet those needs, and to understand and communicate the information resources provide.” (p. 4.) In the role of teacher the library media specialist demonstrates leadership. Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998) describes the library media specialist as:

 “A curricular leader and full participant on the instructional team, the library media specialist constantly updates personal skills and knowledge in order to work effectively with teachers, administrators, and other staff- both to expand their general understanding of information issues, and to provide them with specific opportunities to develop sophisticated skills in information literacy, including the uses of information technology.” (p.4)

A library media specialist in the role of teacher must be an effective, knowledgeable user of technology. According to Morton, Joseph, B. (1975) State of Alabama Code for the Training of School Library Media Specialists. Retrieved 02/06/09 from

http://alex.state.al.us/librarymedia/StateCodeforLibraryMediaCertification.pdf: the library media specialist must have knowledge of: “Application of instructional and information technologies in a school setting and techniques for teaching teachers to use technology to enhance instruction.” (p. 4)

The library media specialist has a responsibility as an instructional partner. The library media specialist works as a partner to educate students.   Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998) states:

“As instructional partner, the library media specialist joins with teachers and others to identify links across student information needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and a wide variety of print, nonprint, and electronic information resources.” (p.4)

 The library media specialist collaborates with others in the learning community to reach learning goals. According to Alabama State Department of Education (2008), Alabama’s School Library Media Handbook for the 21^st Century Learner, The library media specialist has the responsibility of: “Collaborating with teachers to plan and implement instructional units integrating the resources of the library media center with the classroom curriculum.” (p. 6) The library media specialist in the role of instructional partner exhibits leadership. In Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998), a library media specialist demonstrates leadership by taking “A lead role in developing policies, practices, and curricula that guide students to develop the full range of information and communication abilities.” (p. 4-5)

The library media specialist has a responsibility as an information specialist. The library media specialist working as an information specialist provides access to a variety of information resources to the learning community. According to Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998), the library media specialist as an information specialist, “Provides leadership and expertise in acquiring and evaluating information resources in all formats.” (p. 4.) The library media specialist as an information specialist collaborates with others to help students accomplish learning goals for the 21^st century learner.  Alabama State Department of Education (2008), Alabama’s School Library Media Handbook for the 21^st Century Learner, states:  The library media specialist has the responsibility to “Collaborate with teachers to integrate inquiry, 21^st Century learning standards, and technology skills into school curriculum and to support their instruction.” (p. 6.)

The library media specialist has a responsibility as a program administrator. The library media specialist as program administrator plans and manages the library media center program. According to Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998), as program administrator the library media specialist “Works collaboratively with members of the learning community to define the policies of the library media program and to guide and direct all the activities related to it.” (p. 4) As program administrator the library media specialist is a supporter of the school library media program. According to Morton, Joseph, B. (1975) State of Alabama Code for the Training of School Library Media Specialists. Retrieved 02/06/09 from http://alex.state.al.us/librarymedia/StateCodeforLibraryMediaCertification.pdf: the library media specialist acting as program administrator should have knowledge of “Strategies to communicate the contributions of the library-media program to administrators, teachers, parents, school board members, and the general public.”(p. 2.) The library media specialist as program administrator develops the school library budget. Alabama State Department of Education (2008). Alabama’s School Library Media Handbook for the 21^st Century Learner, states that, “The school library media specialist collaborates with the school district/system and administrator to ensure that funds are budgeted to maintain the library media center.” (p. 29.) The library media specialist as program administrator is also responsible for library staff. The Alabama State Department of Education (2008). Alabama’s School Library Media Handbook for the 21^st Century Learner, lists “Managing library staff and volunteers.” (p. 6.) as a responsibility of the library media specialist.

Teaching students to be information literate requires the library media specialist to play many roles in the library media program. There are four areas of responsibility for the school library media specialist defined by Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (1998).  To perform the role of library media specialist in the learning community the library media specialist must operate as a teacher, an instructional partner, an information specialist and a program administrator.