The school library media specialist evaluates, selects, organizes, and manages resources to ensure that students and teachers will have access to a range of information and ideas. The school library media center, however is not just a collection of resources. Each student is encouraged to discover, enjoy, evaluate, and use all types of media and materials and is assisted in the development of critical skills in reading, listening, and viewing. Thus, the school library media program not only enriches the curricular and intellectual offerings of the school. It takes the lead in helping young people develop the kind of educated imagination that empowers them to consider alternatives and to construct possible models of a better and more humane world.
Students take their first steps on an exciting and rewarding course of lifelong learning .
A number of studies have already provided evidence that school library media programs support and improve the development of children and sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Many studies verify that excellent elementary school library media centers are a vital component of school learning in this country. In one Brooklyn school the library became the key to transforming an entire school. It is no coincidence that the key American Library Association document addressing schools is entitled Information Power. The ALA also sponsors Library Power to assist public and school libraries.