Now more than ever school librarians need to be advocates. COVID brought to light so many things that are wrong with the education system around the country. According to the author, they learned that, although they talk about equity and access for their students, they are not even close to equity and access being a reality for all. As the…

The improvement of a professional group is due, in part, to its ability for introspection and self-evaluation. This is essentially the process of "analyzing" the profession as it currently is practiced, identifying necessary changes and improvements, and "synthesizing" or creating a new image or model of the profession to…

The development, publication, and distribution of the "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" once again demonstrate the vision of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in pointing the way with new literacies (textual, media, digital, technology) for students. These standards include critical self-assessment strategies that will…

This article features an open letter written by the author to her school library media colleagues, applauding those who are providing informative and interesting staff development activities for teachers, administrators, and their library media peers. She reminds her colleagues about their role in staff development and not to underestimate the…

Besides the School Library Media Program of the Year (SLMPY), American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has other awards to honor library media professionals and programs. From the Frances Henne Award for new library media specialists to the Collaborative School Library Media Award for collaborative projects, the awards recognize programs…

In this article, the author discusses the most important thing she thinks school libraries should work toward. It is important for a school librarian to know and understand the mission of the school. It is also important to formulate a mission for the school library program. School librarians must think about and reflect on their own beliefs. What…

Traces the historical development of instructional technology and human resources development (HRD) as professions out of the instructional media field. Highlights their differences and similarities as disciplines and as professions. The importance of instructional media, professional development, and professional cooperation are discussed. (JL)

Staff development workshops conducted by library media specialists can assist teachers to integrate information literacy skills and technology into their curricula. Guidelines are presented on the planning and implementation of such workshops.

Cooperation among institutions, ways of facilitating exchanges of specialists and experience, and the joint development of learning resources were examined in a meeting of leaders from 31 regional training institutions from all world regions. Part of UNESCO's long-term concern with the training of media professionals, the meeting opened with a…

This paper looks at the skills and competency base of the school librarian. The paper contends that these attributes are necessary if the school library is to be in a position to encourage the development of discovery and personal growth for both pupils and staff. The paper concentrates on the role of the school librarian working with teaching…

This chapter examines the roles of the instructional developer and the media production specialist in the development of instructional projects in the context of a six step development process. These steps include pre-assessment, establishing goals, identifying and specifying objectives, designing strategies, selecting and/or producing resources,…

The two authors from their respective leadership/administration and library/media specialist's backgrounds share their thoughts about a "Team Approach" to improved instruction. Basic elements of a shared approach are discussed with attention to the changing role of the library/media specialists in schooling.

Presents a career development self-inventory for school library media specialists to use in assessing their career needs, and to aid in developing strategies to reach their professional goals. (Author/BK)

Argues that a strong program of professional development is essential to library media specialists' efforts to keep up with their evolving instructional role. The concepts and role definition originally used as a catalyst for developing this role in a new set of professional standards are examined, and major competencies required of media…

Addresses the need for and success of inservice education for media specialists and the role of media specialists as providers and consumers in this process. Six steps in planning and conducting inservice activities are discussed: (1) needs assessment; (2) objectives; (3) learner analysis; (4) material and activity selection; (5) implementation;…