Goals and Objectives

Learning and teaching, information access, and program administration are the essential elements of school library media programs. These elements suggest the roles that the library media specialist plays in supporting student learning. The functions and services necessary to the learning and teaching and the information access roles will promote that learning directly; program administration activities offer underlying organization support to the program. The goal areas and objectives for library media specialists are derived from Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning (American Library Association, 1998). Library media specialists and administrators are referred to this document for additional information and lists of resources.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Learning and Teaching

The library media program is essential to learning and teaching and must be fully integrated into the curriculum to promote students' achievement of learning goals.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Develop a thorough knowledge of subject area and grade level curricula, and promote competency in information literacy across the curriculum.
Participate on technology committees at all levels.
Collaborate with teachers and staff to integrate information literacy competencies throughout the teaching and learning process.

The library media program models and promotes collaborative planning and curriculum development.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Use Essential Curriculum and Exemplary Lessons in Canvas as a basis for curricular and instructional planning.
Collaborate with teachers and staff to develop curricular content that integrates library media and technology skills, as outlined in the goals and objectives included in the Media Essential Curriculum, as well as Library Media Skills Scope and Sequence.

The library media program models and promotes creative, effective, and collaborative teaching.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Conform to the Howard County Public School System "Strategic Call to Action."
Design and implement teaching and learning activities, both individually and in collaboration with teachers and staff, that reflect the best in current research and practice.

Access to the full range of information resources and services through the library media program are fundamental to learning.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Build and maintain expertise in a wide range of resources and technology.
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and others to ensure that the full range of information resources is available to promote student learning.
Evaluate, acquire, provide, and promote information resources to meet the learning needs of all learners.

The library media program encourages and engages students in reading, viewing, and listening for understanding and enjoyment.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Model the effective and enthusiastic use of books, videos, multimedia, and other creative expressions of information as sources of pleasure and information.
Work collaboratively and individually to design, develop, and implement programs that encourage reading for enjoyment and for information.

The library media program supports the learning of all students.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Maintain a collection that is diverse in format and content to support the learning needs of students.
Recommend, create, implement, and evaluate resources and activities in various formats to meet students' learning needs.

The library media program integrates the uses of technology for learning and teaching.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Build and maintain expertise in assessing various technology products and processes.
Guide and assist students and staff in the use of new media and technologies.
Model and promote effective uses of technology for learning and teaching.

The library media program is an essential link to the larger learning community.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Orchestrate access to information resources within and beyond the school.
Promote relationships with external information sources, such as public libraries, government agencies, and business organizations, in support of learning.

Information Access and Delivery

The library media program provides intellectual access to information and ideas for learning.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Participate in on-going professional development activities.
Develop and implement, in collaboration with teachers and others, a collection development policy that provides access to current and appropriate resources.
Develop and implement, in collaboration with teachers and others, policies and procedures that provide appropriate access to external resources, such as those available on the Internet.
Assist students and staff through comprehensive reference service and such vehicles as bibliographies and resource lists, in identifying appropriate information resources and their usage.

The library media program provides physical access to information and resources for learning.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Collaborate with administrators, teachers, and others to design and renovate library media center facilities and to identify all physical elements, including informational and instructional technology to be acquired.
Select the most advanced resources and equipment, both traditional and electronic that are appropriate for accessing and producing information related to students' learning needs.
Coordinate the acquisition and circulation of library media materials.
Organize all resources for effective and efficient use.
Encourage flexible access to the programs and services of the library media program.

The library media program provides a climate that is conducive to learning.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Create and maintain an inviting, attractive physical environment within the library media center.
Organize materials, resources, equipment, and space to support learning.

The library media program offers flexible and equitable access to information, ideas, and resources for learning.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Work collaboratively with the learning community to develop and implement policies and practices that make resources, facilities, and professional assistance available at the time of learning.
Maintain an environment that meets the informational needs of all students and teachers.
Encourage the widest possible use of program resources and services.

The collections of the library media program are developed and evaluated collaboratively to support the school's curriculum and to meet the diverse learning needs of students.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Maintain current and comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum, of students' characteristics and needs, and of instructional and informational resources in the full range of formats and topic areas.
Develop and direct a continuous collection development and evaluation process.
Maintain and use a variety of appropriate, up-to-date tools and techniques to locate and select materials.

The library media program is founded on a commitment to the right of intellectual freedom.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Promote the principles of intellectual freedom by providing services and resources that create and sustain an atmosphere of free inquiry and by serving as an active advocate for intellectual freedom within the school.
Model openness to the ideas and the free and robust debate that are characteristic of a democratic society.
Guard against barriers to intellectual freedom.

The information policies, procedures, and practices of the library media program reflect legal guidelines and professional ethics.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Maintain an in-depth understanding of current legislation and regulations regarding access, copyright, and other legal issues that affect the library media program.
Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of the library profession regarding intellectual freedom, confidentiality, the rights of users, and other intellectual property concerns.
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and others to develop and publicize policies and procedures that advocate compliance with copyright and other relevant laws.
Model ethical and responsible use of information and information technology.

Program Administration

The library media program supports the mission, goals, objectives, and continuous improvement of the school.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Develop and implement a mission statement, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures that reflect the mission, goals, and objectives of the school.
Serve on the school's decision-making body.
Use appropriate administrative channels to ensure that the library media program is understood as essential to the school's instructional program.

In every school, a minimum of one full-time, certified/licensed library media specialist supported by qualified staff is fundamental to the implementation of an effective library media program at the building level.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Interact regularly with supervisory personnel within and beyond library media services at district and other appropriate levels to help ensure that the program is adequately staffed with professional and supporting employees.
Continuously update personal competencies in learning and teaching, information access and delivery, administration and supervision, technology utilization, and other areas to fulfill the requirements of a professional position.
Participate regularly in activities within the district and at other appropriate levels to gain support and feedback for the program and to be aware of efforts and issues beyond the building.
Participate in performance appraisals, both as a supervisor responsible for other staff and as an employee committed to seeking continuous professional development.
Be active in local, state, and national professional organizations and in other professional activities to remain current with recent trends and to contribute to the profession.

An effective library media program requires a level of professional and support staffing that is based upon a school's instructional programs, services, facilities, size, and numbers of students and teachers.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Advocate appropriate numbers of professional and other staff to meet the learning needs of the school's full learning community.
Monitor and supervise technical and clerical staff to facilitate smooth operation of the program.

An effective library media program requires ongoing administrative support.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Initiate collaboration with the principal and other appropriate administrators to develop the mission, goals, and objectives of the library media program.
Communicate regularly with the principal and other appropriate administrators about program plans, activities, and accomplishments.
Participate on the school's administrative team to provide information about financial and other needs of the program.
Encourage the principal and other appropriate administrators to support the school library media program by communicating to all members of the learning community the program's contribution to student learning.

Comprehensive and collaborative long-range, strategic planning is essential to the effectiveness of the library media program.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Establish program planning as a priority and devote adequate time and resources to this process on an ongoing basis.
Participate on committees charged with developing and implementing long-range, strategic plans for the school (such as teams for site-based management, school improvement, technology planning, and curriculum development).
Work regularly with teachers, students, administrators, and other members of the learning community to develop and implement long-term, strategic plans that align the library media program with the school's goals, priorities, and national curriculum standards.

Ongoing assessment for improvement is essential to the vitality of an effective library media program.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Remain current on all issues, methods and tools for assessing library media programs.
Collaborate with staff to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for identifying the needs of the students.
Schedule regular, systematic data collection.
Use information gathering to analyze assessment data.
Make decisions based on the data analysis to develop plans and policies for the continuous improvement of the library media program.
Share annual report results with the school community.

Sufficient funding is fundamental to the success of the library media program.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Work with the staff to determine the school's information and instructional needs.
Administer the budget according to sound accounting procedures and report all expenses as required by local policies.
Maintain current information on the costs of traditional and electronic resources.

Ongoing staff development -- both to maintain professional knowledge and skills and to provide instruction in information literacy for teachers and administrators and other members of the learning community - is an essential component of the library media program.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Maintain current and in-depth knowledge of the research and best practices in all aspects of the field.
Collaborate with staff to identify the students' learning needs.
Offer and promote an ongoing staff development program related to the integration of information technology and the use of information literacy.

Clear communication of the mission, goals, functions and impact of the library media program is necessary to the effectiveness of the program.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Maintain and communicate current knowledge and research findings related to the impact of school library media programs on student learning.
Report regularly to the staff on the program's plans, policies, and achievements.
Develop and maintain an effective advocacy program that demonstrates the value of the program to a broad audience.
Develop a public relations campaign to promote the library media program.

Effective management of human, financial, and physical resources undergirds a strong library media program.

Objectives for the Library Media Specialist

Maintain expertise in strategies and techniques of supervision, scheduling, and all the areas of management responsibility.
Serve on the school's management team and collaborate regularly with staff members.
Report regularly to the administration on the library media program.
Participate in hiring, training, and evaluating all program staff and maintain responsibility for assigning and scheduling staff and volunteers.
Administer the program budget and oversee acquisition and use of space, furnishings, equipment, and resources.
Oversee all aspects of the daily operation of the library media program.

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