Page 49 - DLIS101_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SOCIETY

Library and Information Society

Notes addition to classroom visits with collaborating teachers, the school library also serves as a place for
students to do independent work, use computers, equipment and research materials; to host special
events such as author visits and book clubs; and for tutoring and testing.
The school library media center program is a collaborative venture in which school library media
specialists, teachers, and administrators work together to provide opportunities for the social,
cultural, and educational growth of students. Activities that are part of the school library media
program can take place in the school library media center, the laboratory classroom, through the
school, and via the school library’s online resources.

School Library Collection

School libraries are similar to public libraries in that they contain books, films, recorded sound,
periodicals, realia, and digital media. These items are not only for the education, enjoyment, and
entertainment of the all members of the school community, but also to enhance and expand the school’s
curriculum.
In many schools, school libraries are staffed by librarians, teacher-librarians, or school library media
specialists who hold a specific library science degree. In some jurisdictions, school librarians are
required to have specific certification and/or a teaching certificate.
The school librarian performs four leadership main roles: teacher, instructional partner, information
specialist, and program administrator. In the teacher role, the school librarian develops and
implements curricula relating to information literacy and inquiry. School librarians may read to
children, assist them in selecting books, and assist with schoolwork. Some school librarians see
classes on a “flexible schedule”. A flexible schedule means that rather than having students come to
the library for instruction at a fixed time every week, the classroom teacher schedules library time
when library skills or materials are needed as part of the classroom learning experience.
In the instructional partner role, school librarians collaborate with classroom teachers to create
independent learners by fostering students’ research, information literacy, technology, and critical
thinking skills.

As information specialists, school librarians develop a resource base for the school by using the
curriculum and student interests to identify and obtain library materials, organize and maintain
the library collection in order to promote independent reading and lifelong learning. Materials in
the library collection can be located using an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC).
This role also encompasses many activities relating to technology including the integration of
resources in a variety of formats: periodical databases; Web sites; digital video segments; podcasts;
blog and wiki content; digital images; virtual classrooms, etc. School librarians are often responsible
for audio-visual equipment and are sometimes in charge of school computers and computer
networks.
Many school librarians also perform clerical duties. They handle the circulating and cataloging of
materials, facilitate interlibrary loans, shelve materials, perform inventory, etc.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
6. Which country has the highest number of registered book borrowers per capita in the world:
(a) Finland (b) America
(c) Korea (d) India.

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