Librarian

Summary:

The Librarian provides leadership in the planning, management and evaluation of school library media programs. She/he assists teachers to develop instructional units using library resources that support the core curricula.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

As a Leader:

• Works with administrators and other appropriate personnel to develop long range goals and objectives for the schools.
• Communicates the philosophy and goals of the school library media program to the students, faculty, administration and community.
• Initiates and maintains formal contacts with principal and teachers to evaluate library media programs, facilities, materials, equipment and personnel.
• Establishes and maintains an environment in the Library Media Center in which students and staff can work at productive levels.
• Establishes relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community which reflect recognition of and respect for every individual.
• Participates in the recruitment of volunteer staff for the Library Media Center.

As a Teacher:

• Instructs students on a formal and informal basis in skills related to reading, research, production of materials and the use of information and instructional technologies.
• Assists staff members in producing instructional audiovisual aids.
• Assists teachers in promoting reading and provides reading experiences for students in groups and as individuals.
• Promotes lifelong learning by fostering positive attitudes toward libraries and by working to develop students' viewing, listening and critical thinking skills.
• Monitors rights and responsibilities of users relating to the generation and flow of information and ideas (e.g., copyright, confidentiality / privacy, intellectual freedom).
• Participates in school curriculum design and assessment projects on a regular basis.
• Contributes to the development of complete instructional units with teachers.

As Information Specialist:

• Provides access to information and ideas by assisting students and staff in identifying information resources and in interpreting and communicating intellectual content.
• Keeps abreast of current literature by reading reviewing journals and other selection resources.
• Develops flexible circulation, loan and use policies that ensure equity of access to users.
• Assures access to information resources by providing an accurate and efficient retrieval system.
• Implements policies that respect the rights of users to confidentiality and unrestricted access to information resources.
• Assists all users in identifying, locating and interpreting information.
• Arranges for flexible scheduling of facilities, staff time and collections to meet the needs of individuals, small groups and large groups for research, browsing, recreational reading, viewing, or listening at the point of need.