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Descriptive Statements:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and procedures for developing a library media collection that responds to the needs of a diverse population and supports the school's curriculum, goals, and objectives.
- Recognize appropriate methods for evaluating, selecting, deselecting, and reconsidering library media resources, including strategies for involving the learning community in these activities.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for creating and communicating library media policies that reflect the legal guidelines and professional ethics of librarianship and promote responsible use of information and technology.
- Apply knowledge of methods for classifying and cataloging library media resources and equipment and of factors to consider when establishing use and circulation policies.
- Identify systems, resources, and technologies for effectively managing the library media collection, including the preservation of materials.
Sample Item:
When selecting new fiction titles to add to the library media collection, the key advantage of using professional selection tools is that they:
- are helpful in locating materials that can be purchased at a discount.
- flag materials that contain potentially controversial content.
- recommend materials according to a uniform set of criteria.
- provide authoritative information about and reviews of available materials.
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
D. This question requires the examinee to identify systems, resources, and technologies for effectively managing the library media collection. Many new materials and resources become available every year. Professional selection tools are available in both print and online formats and contain annotations, reviews, and commentary useful in evaluating materials for the school library media collection. Professionals in the school library media field provide much of this information. Use of such tools helps the library media specialist locate reliable information about new materials in a quick and efficient manner.
Descriptive Statements:
- Identify characteristics and roles of various staff positions in the library media center and issues related to the selection and training of library media staff.
- Recognize appropriate strategies for supervising and evaluating library media staff and for handling staff and personnel issues in various contexts.
- Apply knowledge of the budgeting process, record-keeping and reporting techniques, and methods for operating a cost-effective and financially sound library media program.
- Demonstrate knowledge of funding sources within and beyond the school.
- Demonstrate knowledge of methods for organizing physical space in the library media center for efficiency and accessibility, including addressing issues related to the management of physical resources.
Sample Item:
Which of the following steps should a library media specialist take first when planning a budget for the library media center?
- determine how much money is available for the current fiscal year
- consider possible sources of funding for enhancing the budget
- review purchase orders from the previous school year
- make appointments with several vendors to preview materials
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
A. This question requires the examinee to apply knowledge of the budgeting process. Allocating funds to different components of the library media program can be a challenging task. To manage the library media program in a cost-effective manner, the library media specialist must first be aware of how much money he or she has to spend. In this way, the library media specialist can plan strategies, such as grant proposals or fund-raising activities, for meeting specific needs (e.g., new reference materials, periodical subscriptions) that may exceed the regular budget allowance.
Descriptive Statements:
- Identify methods for determining the information and recreation needs of members of the learning community and for using that information to establish goals and guide decision making with regard to library media resources and services.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for collaboration in the development, implementation, and evaluation of library media programs.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for aligning the library media program with national information literacy and technology standards, state and national student learning standards, and the goals and objectives of the school.
- Apply knowledge of methods for collecting and analyzing relevant qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of the library media program and its operations, including strategies for reporting evaluation results to the learning community and modifying the library media program based on evaluation results.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for integrating the library media program into schoolwide strategic planning and reform efforts and of research on the role of library media programs in promoting student learning.
Sample Item:
I would like to see more books about _________________________________________________blank.
The most helpful resource in the library media center is ________________________________________blank.
When I'm reading for fun, I look for books that _________________________________________________blank.
A high school library media specialist asks students and staff to complete the questionnaire shown above at the end of each school year. The primary benefit of this practice is most likely that it:
- assists the library media specialist in identifying materials for deselection from the library media collection.
- provides the library media specialist with insight into users' information and recreation needs.
- enhances the library media specialist's ability to conduct an objective evaluation of the library media program.
- helps the library media specialist decide which materials to highlight through displays or booktalks.
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
B. This question requires the examinee to identify methods for determining the information and recreation needs of members of the learning community. Collaboration with members of the learning community is an essential step in providing a library media collection that is responsive to the information and recreation needs of students, staff, and others. This collaboration can be achieved through a variety of methods, including various types of surveys. The survey in this item has open-ended responses, allowing students and staff to be as specific as they wish and providing the library media specialist with helpful data for determining whether current resources and services are what the learning community most needs.
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