The traditional roles of Library Media Specialists have been to orient students to

the organization of libraries, to help them locate information and to nurture in them a love of books and reading. These responsibilities have become more complex in the "Information Age." The learning/teaching roles of Library Media Specialists have grown in importance, as has their role as staff developer, given the complexities of the new technologies.

As Information Specialist,  select resources in electronic, print and non-print formats to meet the changing needs of the school system's instructional programs as well as the needs and abilities of individual students.  Guide teachers and students in selecting appropriate tools for specific purposes, learning levels and styles. Provide access to networks that connect to information sources beyond the Library Media Center.

As a Teacher,  teach individuals and groups of students to use a library with growing independence, helping them learn to locate, select and use resources for

informational and recreational needs and providing skills for life-long learning. Teach students to plan information search strategies with emphasis on critical thinking skills including identification of key words, uses of Boolean connectors, truncation and proximity statements. Instruct students and staff in specific commands to use with various information tools.  

     As Instructional Partner, address individuality and diversity by collaborating with teachers to plan and assess instructional units that incorporate many different resources and acknowledge varied teaching and learning styles.  Work with teachers to develop teach and assess instructional activities that help students to define a research problem and identify information needed to solve it. Identify appropriate information sources and use them efficiently.  Locate information, using electronic, print and non-print formats comfortably. Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information. Synthesize information drawn from a range of sources.  Assess the reliability of sources and validity of information.

     As Program Manager, develop and administer a budget.  Schedule library activities flexibly in accordance with instructional needs.  Maintain an open-door policy for individual students.  Locate and order materials.  Plan and implement systems for organizing and circulating resources.  Maintain an inventory of all computer software and AV materials in the building and assume responsibility for circulating them.  Maintain a file of current copyright information and inform administrators of changes in the law.  Supervise volunteer and paid aides.

In conclusion, the abilities to use information effectively, to value the insights of literature and to be an independent library user have become basic life-long learning skills; skills which are essential in our changing environment. Providing students with these abilities is the goal of the Department of Libraries and Information Technologies.

© Copyright of Department of Libraries and Information Technologies, Lexington Public Schools,

Lexington, MA, 1995-1997.