This vision also includes a library media specialist who is an experienced teacher with a learning resources endorsement to the Washington State teaching certificate and a masters degree or equivalent from a program that combines academic and professional preparation in library and information science, education, management, media, communications theory and technology. This professional person is knowledgeable of resource-based instruction and works with teachers to develop an information skills curriculum for the school. With the teachers the library media specialist plans lessons which utilize the resources of the library media center. In partnership they develop methods of instruction and determine the materials needed to meet the objectives that have been defined. Students in the library media center are engrossed in reading, using various information sources, listening to booktalks or stories, or developing a product of their own research that has included a variety of media formats.
Students enjoy using the library media center and are treated with respect and caring.
They are challenged to pursue their interests and information needs by using libraries of all types. Because of the positive experiences in the school library media center, students develop a lifelong appreciation of books and reading and seek out information they need to realize their personal goals. The library media program must provide all users equal access to ideas and information. Learning activities must be well-designed through collaborative effort of the teacher and the library media specialist. Learning activities will provide students with opportunities to develop skills in selecting, retrieving, analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing and creating information at all age levels and in all subject areas.