Library Media Specialist Duties
• ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
(Adapted from the Philadelphia School District Libray Handbook)
1) Library Program
(a) Plans and implements a comprehensive library program integrated with the educational program of the school in accordance with School District standards and curriculum frameworks.
(b) Evaluates the school's library program in relation to the needs of the curriculum and the students.
2) Library Management
(a) Establishes regulations and policies governing use of the library and schedules its use.
(b) Maintains and supervises the use of technology in the library.
(c) Administers the library budget.
(d) Prepares financial and progress reports and keeps records as needed.
3) Collection Management
(a) Establishes procedures and routines to select, order, process, catalog, and circulate library materials.
(b) Maintains accurate records of library holdings.
(c) Conducts a periodic inventory of library holdings.
(d) Weeds obsolete and worn materials from the collection on a regular basis.
4) Library Staff Management
(a) Trains and supervises the library's clerical staff, student aides, and volunteers.
(b) Organizes, schedules, and delegates the duties of the staff and volunteers.
5) Library Facilities
(a) Maintains an attractive and orderly facility conducive to learning.
(b) Selects and arranges library furniture and equipment.
6) Collaborative Activities
(a) Attends departmental, faculty, and grade group meetings.
(b) Collaborates with school and community organizations.
(c) Participates in library and other educational and professional associations.
(d) Collaborates with public libraries.
7) Library Promotion
(a) Creates library bulletin boards and displays.
(b) Promotes library materials and programs through school publications, book reviews and book talks, displays, and library Web pages.
(c) Participates in and encourages reader activities such as Read Across America and Book Fairs.
II. EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONS
1) Curriculum and Educational Program
(a) Becomes familiar with the curriculum and educational program units of study.
(b) Establishes and maintains an up-to-date, relevant collection.
(c) Participates in curriculum study and revision as an active member of curriculum committees; serves as a curriculum and resource consultant.
(d) Keeps up with current educational research, trends, methods and materials, and innovations in technology.
(e) Provides library services and selects appropriate materials and equipment to aid teaching.
(f) Guides staff and students in the appropriate use of Internet and other technology.
(g) Motivates students to read through devices such as book talks, special displays, creative dramatics, and storytelling.
(h) Creates and maintains an atmosphere conducive to learning and effective library use.
(i) Provides a program of instruction for all students with classes, small groups, and individual students.
(j) Performs reference service.
(k) Provides reading and technology guidance.
(l) Organizes materials, equipment, schedules, and space to support learning.
2) Faculty Relations
(a) Actively collaborates with teachers to create standards-driven units of study, to integrate information literacy skills with the classroom teaching program, and to help students utilize all library services and materials
(b) Keeps teachers informed of services and materials in the library.
(c) Maintains a collection of professional materials for faculty use.