media handbook
Roles and Responsibilities
Preface
Educational roles are always interrelated and complementary.
Effective media program development is dependent on these
characteristics. Through cooperative efforts of educators,
students, parents, and the community, the most effective and
relevant media programs can be developed. In this effort,
administrators who clearly state expectations for the media program
can provide the leadership needed for innovative development.
Curriculum and instructional personnel who explicitly define
student outcomes can establish a basis for optimum use of media.
media personnel with professional expertise can organize for
appropriate selection, effective utilization, efficient
organization, and open access to resources and facilities. members
of the community can contribute to the planning process by helping
to shape the program according to community characteristics and by
interpreting the media program to others. The interrelationships
necessary for successful program development are apparent through
the descriptions in this publication. Each role has unique
responsibilities and it requires contribution from all for adequate
development.
These role descriptions are not intended to be used as evaluative
tools, but rather to prescribe appropriate activities. It is
believed that this document will be useful to:
individuals wanting to examine their particular role in the development of a media program which is integrated with the instructional program
administrators seeking to hire competent employees
educators trying to identify staff development needs
local board members wanting to understand the complexities of media program development
media specialists defining job expectations
media committee members seeking orientation to their new role, and
college faculties adapting training program to meet today's needs.
THE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL
The principal, as the instructional leader of the school,
facilitates the process through which instructional and media
personnel cooperatively plan and implement the educational program
to meet learner needs. This process combines the media and
instructional programs as the school community moves toward common
goals.
In this role, the principal:
assures implementation of state and system policies and procedures
reviews building-level media policies and procedures
encourages teachers to incorporate media services into the instructional program
interprets the building media program to the superintendent, parents and the lay community
recommends qualified, service-oriented media personnel for employment
provides opportunities to personnel to continue professional growth
ensures that state allocated media funds are spend according to state law
confers with the media coordinator in evaluating the media program
ensures appropriate evaluation of the media program and of the media specialist
establishes a working relationship with the media coordinator where applicable
appoints the building media committee
meets regularly with the building media committee
assures flexible scheduling for the media center in order to provide student access at the time of instructional need
provides time for, and encourages, teacher/media specialist planning
supports use of and provides media support personnel to assure routine, essential media services when available
encourages professional staff to be involved in the selection of new media and technology
supports and encourages innovative strategies and the incorporation of new technology into teaching and learning activities
evaluates media personnel by clearly established and relevant criteria
promotes cooperation with other informational agencies such as public libraries, resource centers, Educational Technology Training Centers, etc.
assists in planning media facilities development and/or adaptations
maintains awareness of media program goals, needs, and outcomes through regular conferences with media personnel
THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST
Foreword
In 1996 a group of school library media specialists from across the
state of Georgia met to redefine the roles and responsibilities
document originally contained in "You Are the Key." The results of
their efforts reflect the infusion of technology while reaffirming
the commitment to the traditional roles of school library media
specialists. The mission statement and the roles were intended to
be broad enough to accommodate interpretation at the local level.
Mission Statement
The mission of the school library media program is to ensure that
students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.
This mission is accomplished as outlined in Information Power,
Building Partnerships for Learning (American Association of School
Librarians and Association of Educational Communications and
Technology, Chicago: 1998):- by providing intellectual and physical
access to materials in all formats, - by providing instruction to
foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing and
using information and ideas, - by working with other educators to
design learning strategies to meet the needs of individual
students.
Roles and Responsibilities
ROLE I: Provides instructional leadership in the use of information
resources and literature.
Responsibilities:
I- Plans collaboratively with teachers to integrate literature,
resources and information literacy skills into the curriculum.
SAMPLE TASKS
Utilizes an appropriate record of planning.
Promotes literature and reading.
Assists with instruction and evaluation of collaboratively planned units.
Assists teachers in the selection,and utilization of appropriate resources, technologies, and general literature.
Recommends strategies for the integration of all resources into instruction.
II- Develops and provides instructional opportunities with
information technologies for staff and students.
SAMPLE TASKS
Assists students and staff in the access and utilization of resources and technologies.
Provides orientation for students and staff as needed.
Promotes awareness of outside resources such as public and college libraries, online services and community resources.
III- Provides information about and complies with copyright laws
SAMPLE TASKS
Disseminates current copyright information to staff and students as appropriate.
Seeks outside consultation for clarity on copyright matters when necessary.
IV- Collaborates with teachers and students on material production.
SAMPLE TASKS
Assists students and staff with production activities.
Provides instruction in production techniques using a variety of formats.
ROLE II: Develops, administers, and manages programs and facilities
for the use of information resources and technologies
Responsibilities:
I- Develops, evaluates, and revises policies and procedures, and
services of the program/center.
SAMPLE TASKS
Sets short and long term goals for the media program/center.
Seeks input from and informs students, staff, and community about the media center, its resources, services, and program.
Maintains and uses statistical reports.
Coordinates the procedures for challenged materials.
II- Provides leadership in collaborative planning for school
technology, resources, and needs.
SAMPLE TASKS
Serves as a permanent member of the school media/technology committee.
Assists in identifying resources that support the curriculum.
Coordinates installation and maintenance of hardware and software.
Serves as contact person for technology support staff and service vendors.
III- Administers and maintains a center and a program that fosters
a positive learning environment.
SAMPLE TASKS
Maintains a flexible, accessible schedule.
Supervises student behavior in the Media Center.
IV- Ensures effective organization of center and resources.
SAMPLE TASKS
Maintains the Media Center database in accordance with professional standards.
Catalogs and processes resources purchase for circulation.
Maintains the Media Center network, including effective circulation and retrieval systems.
Promotes the appropriate use of online resources, such as the Internet.
Disseminates information about the Acceptable Use Policy and monitors that policy within the Media Center.
Facilitates distance learning resources by managing satellite and cable reception and disseminating information regarding educational programming.
Inspects, maintains, and weeds all Media Center resources.
V- Selects and orders resources consistent with system policies and
with school curriculum needs.
SAMPLE TASKS
Analyzes the Media Center collection based on curriculum and instructional needs.
Seeks input for collection development and uses appropriate selection tools.
Maintains a consideration file for future purchases.
Prepares purchase orders consistent to administrative guidelines.
Monitors the Media Center budget.
VI- Provides supervision and leadership for staff including
clerical, paraprofessional and technical.
SAMPLE TASKS
Assists with interviews and evaluations.
Ensures proper training.
Provides daily supervision and guidance.
