Media specialists have many information and technology skills to share with their peers on the school faculty to the ultimate benefit of students. School buildings must have adequate space for a library media center to house materials and their users. Such a space needs wiring for computers and projectors, storage for many kinds of materials and equipment, seating, writing surfaces, good lighting, running water, temperature control, flexible meeting space, and attractive decor. Providing these things takes planning by a trained media specialist with an architect. Here s an example of the benefit of a media specialist to a students.
School librarians assume increasingly diverse responsibilities today.
Often they are called upon to teach television production to students who learn to produce and deliver the live daily school announcements. A western Ohio media specialist had a shy, quiet sophomore in such a class. He was extremely reticent about speaking in front of the more confident, bravado prone assortment of athletes, cheerleaders, and honor students who made up this particular group. John struggled to speak clearly and loudly enough so that people could understand him when it was his turn in class or as announcer on the air. During his first several weeks he would lose track of where he was in the midst of an announcement, stumble over words, and blush glowing red to the tops of his slightly protruding ears.