Library In Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

JOB CLASSIFICATION TITLE
Library Media Specialist (Elementary)
DEPARTMENT

Academics
 

INCUMBENT NAME
 

BARGAINING UNIT CLASSIFICATION
 

Waterbury Teachers' Association CEA-NEA
 

REPORTS TO:

Receives administrative direction from the Principal or other administrative official of a higher grade

FLSA DESIGNATION

Exempt

PART I - SUMMARY OF CLASSIFICATION

This class is accountable for establishing and coordinating the services of the school library-media center and technology lab appropriate to the educational needs of all students; providing a full spectrum of educational enrichment materials to ensure that student' in the school will find available instructional and non-instructional materials appropriate to their interests, abilities, and level of maturity; and making sure students and teachers are effective users of information and ideas by providing instruction in the use of technology to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing and using information and ideas.

PART II - MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

A. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

General Experience:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

2. Experience with managing school site collections and the selection/acquisition of materials and equipment.

3. Previous teaching and/or related school experience.

Special Requirement:

1. In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made prior to appointment.  

B. CREDENTIALS:
 

C. LICENSURES, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Employment in this class is conditional upon possession of a valid Connecticut State Board of Education teaching certificate/endorsement(s) appropriate to the teaching assignment. 

2. School Library Media Specialist - 062 Endorsement.

3. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a current Motor Vehicle operator's license. 
    
   

D. CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Teachers in this job class must complete all State CEU requirements for re-certification.

E. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge and mastery of information literacy standards for student learning by creating and maintaining a program for a broad learning community;

• Knowledge of a variety of strategies for communicating with various constituencies;

• Knowledge of both the access to information and the operation of the devices that deliver, produce, and manage that information;

• Knowledge of current and developmentally appropriate resources and the strategies for guiding the intellectual access to information;

• Knowledge of information, instruction, and production-based technologies that enhance learning and teaching;

• Knowledge of literature and methodologies to provide reading, listening, and viewing guidance to students and others in the learning community;

• Knowledge of methods of collaboration with the other members of the learning community to ensure that the school library media program is able to meet the individual learning needs of students;

• Knowledge of selection, installation, management, and maintenance of technologies applicable to the library information center and the larger learning community;

• Knowledge of strategies for eliciting information needs from students;

• Knowledge of strategies necessary to assist in school reform efforts;

• Knowledge of the importance of community groups in maintaining support for the library information program; 

• Skill to assist learners in locating, evaluating, and using information;

• Ability to apply effective methods and strategies for teaching the use of technological tools;

• Ability to create and maintain inviting, attractive physical spaces that encourage a positive learning climate;

• Ability to effectively communicate with students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and the community;

• Ability to establish, maintain, and supervise the school's library resource program and library information program support personnel;

• Ability to model and promote collaborative planning and curriculum development that includes creative, effective, and collaborative teaching;

• Ability to provide an effective library resource program that supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the school. 

• Ability to recognize developmental growth patterns of children and youth and its influence upon reference and search processes;

• Ability to recognize elements essential to collaborative work, including time, trust, climate, and resources;

• Ability to recognize the importance of a positive learning climate in creating appropriate and attractive environments;

• Ability to recognize the need for policies and procedures and knows strategies for developing and evaluating the collection of materials and equipment needed to support a curriculum that meets the diverse learning needs of students and teachers;

• Ability to recognize the principles of flexible and equitable physical access to information and resources at time and point of need;

• Ability to recognize the role that parents play in developing students' lifelong learning skills;

• Ability to stay current with new information and trends in technologies and dissemination strategies to effectively plan, implement, and assess the effectiveness of the school's library information program;

• Ability to understand centralized systems for bibliographic control, materials, equipment circulation, and information distribution;

• Ability to understand curriculum in all subject areas and levels, State and national learning standards, and a variety of assessment strategies;

• Ability to understand how to use word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentation software, graphics, and production software to support students' learning;

• Ability to understand information literacy, efficient and effective access to information, critical and competent evaluation of information, and accurate and creative use of information;

• Ability to understand social and ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology; 

• Ability to understand that 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;

• Ability to understand the importance of appropriate planning and purchasing to address issues of software and hardware compatibility;

• Ability to understand the process of reforming educational systems and structures and the needs of the individual in relation to these processes;

• Ability to understand the relationship between school climate and effective teaching and learning;

• Ability to understand the role of the central administration and the school board in communicating the importance of the library information program to teaching and learning;

• Ability to understand the structure of the school learning community and the leverage points for influence; 

• Ability to understand the variety of motivational, coaching, and guidance; 

• Ability to understand, encourage, and promote opportunities for independent learning and understand various learning styles;

• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

PART III - POSITION SUPERVISES

1. May direct the work of paraprofessionals and clericals as assigned.

PART IV - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following identifies the primary and essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all duties.

• Administers a program that provides for learning experiences utilizing technology and resources accessed from classrooms or other locations outside of the library information center;

• Analyzes instructional and technological requirements and other features of the school to recommend appropriate staffing and training necessary to meet the learning and information needs of the students and to ensure the effectiveness of the program;

• Assists teachers and learners in developing appropriate activities for assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum;

• Assists teachers and other educational staff in developing connections among subjects, standards, and strategies for learning; 

• Assists teachers and students in finding, evaluating, and developing these additional resources;

• Assists teachers in developing interdisciplinary connections using a variety of resources and technologies; 

• Builds support for the role of the library media program in teaching and learning through the effective use of influence strategies;

• Catalogs, classifies, and arranges information resources in various forms and media according to recognized standards;

• Collaborates and communicates with all staff, and particularly the technology staff, to identify and use the full range of learning technologies required to meet students' informational needs;

• Collaborates with classroom teachers in the creation and implementation of their content-area standards, goals, and visions;

• Collaborates with classroom teachers in the creation of integrated classroom assignments and projects;

• Collaborates with other members of the learning community to ensure that the school library information program is able to meet the individual learning needs of students;

• Collaborates with the technology department to plan budgets and purchases software and hardware that meet the school curriculum needs and support the library information center, the classroom, and individual learning needs of students; 

• Collaborates with the technology staff on issues of software and hardware compatibility;

• Communicates effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and the community; 

• Communicates effectively with the technology staff and other educators about learning technology needs of the students who use the library information center;

• Communicates with the community the relationship of library media programs to students' achievement and lifelong learning for everyone;

• Contributes to the school curriculum by attending school and district curriculum meetings;

• Co-teaches and mentors along with the classroom teacher on projects and assignments for students;

• Creates and implements the library media program; 

• Creates and maintains inviting, attractive physical spaces that encourage a positive learning climate;

• Demonstrates leadership in curricular planning and assessment;

• Demonstrates leadership in evaluating the effectiveness of the library media program in improving teaching and learning;

• Develops a budget and locates sources of funding that provide for purchasing and upkeep of all resources required for an effective school library information program;

• Develops action plans in conjunction with the technology specialist to accommodate changes in critical areas such as the utilization of new resources and technologies;

• Develops facility plans to include learning technology systems to meet students' needs in the library information center which may include but are not limited to video/playback production units, CD-ROM towers and servers, electronic card catalogues, and on-line reference resources;

• Encourages and assists students to seek information from diverse sources, contexts, disciplines, and cultures through equitable access to information;

• Encourages and engages students in reading, viewing, and listening for understanding and enjoyment;

• Encourages and guides the student to produce and communicate information and ideas in appropriate formats using critical thinking and problem-solving skills;

• Encourages collaboration with the technology specialist and others, both in person and through the use of various technologies, to design, develop, and evaluate information products and solutions;

• Ensures that policies on information use and distribution are reviewed and approved by appropriate governing bodies;

• Establishes and maintains ties with information resources and services within the wider community;

• Establishes effective interpersonal relationships that demonstrate an understanding of curriculum objectives, effective listening, and negotiation of responsibility for activities;

• Establishes, maintains, and supervises the school's library resource program and library information program support personnel;

• Facilitates students' development of information literacy ski...