Specialist - Library Media - ELEM

Specialist – Library Media – Elementary

Reports to: Principal

Duty Days: 197 Days

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: I00

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Texas Teacher’s certificate
• Texas School Librarian certificate or equivalent
• Learning resource endorsement (for those who earned the certificate prior to January 23, 2001)
• Minimum of two years successful classroom teaching

Primary

Purpose:

Direct the operation of the school library. Provide services and resources that allow students to develop skills in locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and using information to solve problems. Serve as teacher, materials expert, and curriculum adviser to ensure that the library/media center is involved in instructional programs of the school.

Major

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure that school library program goals and objectives are aligned with school and district long‑range strategic plans, state and national program standards.
• Create an environment that is conducive to active and participatory learning, resource‑based instructional practices, and a safe and nurturing environment.
• Disseminate to the learning community up‑to‑date district policies concerning materials selection, circulation, reconsideration of materials, copyright, privacy, plagiarism, and acceptable use.
• Encourage the use of instructional technology to engage students and improve learning, providing 24/7 access to digital information resources for the entire learning community.
• Advocate for school library programs and the guiding principles of the school library profession; act as an active, accessible, and informed proponent of the profession.
• Maintain frequent and timely communication to stakeholders through the school and library website, parent newsletter, e‑mail, and various media platforms.
• Collaborate with teachers and students to design and teach engaging inquiry and learning experiences and assessments that incorporate multiple literacies, foster critical thinking and lifelong learning.
• Develop and maintain a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, learners, and instructional strategies used within the school community.
• Cooperate and network with other librarians, vendors, and entities to provide access to resources outside the school.
• Evaluate, promote, and use existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, supplement school resources, connect the school with the global learning community, and communicate with students and teachers.
• Remain current in professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research applicable to the school library program.
• Use effective management principles to supervise personnel, resources, and facilities.
• Administer budgets effectively and efficiently according to priorities of the instructional program, the district’s collection development policy, and the established district business practice.
• Follow district processes and procedures for selection, acquisition, and resource sharing that assure appropriate resources are available when needed.
• Select and use appropriate applications for managing circulation, cataloging, budgeting, and purchasing.
• Arrange flexible scheduling of the school libraries to provide student accessibility to staff and resources.
• Provide a systematically organized, cataloged, and balanced collection of books, software, and technology resources that supports curriculum, satisfies the needs of a diverse student population, and is based on district board‑approved selection policies.
• Compile and maintain inventory of fixed assets.

Working Conditions:

Ability to maintain a positive attitude under the stress of frequent interruptions, multiple tasks, deadlines, and technical problems/delays.

Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling; prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.