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| Schools must adopt the
educational philosophy that the library media program is
fully integrated into the educational program. This
integration strengthens the teaching/learning process so
that students can develop the vital skills necessary to
locate, analyze, evaluate, interpret, and communicate
information and ideas. When the library media program is
fully integrated into the instructional program of the
school, students, teachers, and library media specialists
become partners in learning. The library program is an
extension of the classroom. Information skills are taught
and learned within the context of the classroom
curriculum. The wide range of resources, technologies,
and services needed to meet students' learning and
information needs are readily available in a
cost-effective manner. The integrated library media program philosophy requires that an open schedule must be maintained. Classes cannot be scheduled in the library media center to provide teacher release or preparation time. Students and teachers must be able to come to the center throughout the day to use information sources, to read for pleasure, and to meet and work with other students and teachers. |
Planning between the library
media specialist and the classroom teacher, which
encourages both scheduled and informal visits, is the
catalyst that makes this integrated library program work.
The teacher brings to the planning process a knowledge of
subject content and student needs. The library media
specialist contributes a broad knowledge of resources and
technology, an understanding of teaching methods, and a
wide range of strategies that may be employed to help
students learn information skills. Cooperative planning by the teacher and library media specialist integrates information skills and materials into the classroom curriculum and results in the development of assignments that encourage open inquiry. The responsibility for flexibly scheduled library media programs must be shared by the entire school community. The BOARD OF EDUCATION endorses the philosophy that the library program is an integral part of the district’s educational program a n d ensures that flexible scheduling for library media centers is maintained in all buildings and at all levels. |
THE DISTRICT
ADMINISTRATION supports this philosophy and monitors
staff assignments to ensure appropriate staffing levels
so that all teachers, including the library media
specialists, can fulfill their professional
responsibilities. THE PRINCIPAL creates the appropriate climate within theschool by advocating the benefits of flexible scheduling to the faculty, by monitoring scheduling, by ensuring appropriate staffing, levels, and by providing joint planning time for classroom teachers and library media specialists. THE TEACHER uses resource-based instruction and views the .library media program as an integral part of that instruction. THE LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST is knowledgeable about curriculum and classroom activities, and works cooperatively with the classroom teacher to integrate information skills into the curriculum. |
