Candidates must hold a Virginia Department of Education license with a library media specialist endorsement.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Library Media Specialist collaborates with teachers and instructional/innovation coaches to foster and directly lead deeper learning opportunities for students; plans and coordinates school-wide initiatives that motivate students to read; performs related library/media managerial and technical duties as required or assigned.  

SUPERVISION

Library Media Specialist activities are performed under the general supervision of the school’s principal and/or an assistant principal, in consult with the Director of Instruction. Supervision is exercised over students assigned and may be exercised over volunteers.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A media specialist fulfills several roles: instructional consultant, information specialist, coach for deeper learning skills, and teacher. Responsibilities are multifaceted and include the following:

• Establishes and maintains curriculum resources to support the needs of the school.
• Facilitates the training of students in research and the utilization of information.
• Fosters a love of reading and an appreciation of literature.
• Models and coaches deeper learning instruction with teachers in conjunction with instructional/innovation coaches.

GUIDELINES

The performance of the duties and responsibilities of the position is guided by the policies and regulations of the Hopewell City Public School Board, appropriate federal and state laws, and official operating procedures as prescribed and/or approved by the Division Superintendent.

CONTACTS

There is frequent contact with school faculty and administrative staff and school division resource personnel. Contacts outside the school division include personnel in the Hopewell City Public Library system, parents, and the general public.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (May not include all duties performed; not all incumbents perform all essential functions delineated.)

• Ensures the effective integration of the American Association of School Librarians' learning standards and the research and communication strands of the English Virginia Standards of Learning into the instructional programs of the school. Integrates Virginia Computer Technology standards and Computer Science standards as they correlate with planned instruction.
• Develops and delivers high quality lessons that connect the research and communication strands of the English SOLs to the deeper learning activities that teachers implement for their students.
• Collaborates with instructional/innovation coaches, teachers, and others to effectively integrate communication, collaboration, critical thinking & problem solving, creativity, and citizenship into mainstream, daily instruction.
• Designs, implements, and supports programs and instructional activities which develop an understanding of literature and encourages reading and learning as life-long activities.
• Follows current learning theory to provide appropriate instruction and behavior management for students.
• Advocates for the intellectual freedom of students and staff pursuant to school division regulation regarding censorship and access to information.
• Curates materials in the media center strategically, keeping collections and resources current.
• Ensures that media center collections and resources are culturally responsive and representative.
• Establishes and implements policies and procedures allowing for circulation of materials; promotes the use of the library through publicity and educational campaigns.
• Provides students and teachers with access to the media center by planning and scheduling space utilization and maintaining an attractive, accepting environment conducive to library use.
• Leverages the use of volunteers and/or clerical staff to handle the checking in/out of books in the media center.
• Submits budget requests, plans expenditures, and maintains records following defined school division procedures.
• Collaborates with school-level and central office staff to select, implement, and adapt information literacy skills in support of curriculum across all content areas.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and administration to establish evidence-based, measurable goals driven by the school improvement plan; assists with evaluating the effectiveness and quality of the school library program.
• Participates in professional growth opportunities that support the Library Media Specialist’s role as instructional consultant.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of professional library science principles and library management techniques.

Knowledge of curriculum for the four core subjects.

Knowledge of reference sources and materials.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Skills in the use of technology to engage students instructionally.

Organizational and planning skills.

Collaborative and coaching skills for working with adults.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Completion of a bachelor’s degree and additional coursework necessary to obtain a license as a library media specialist.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

Virginia endorsement as a Library Media Specialist PreK-12.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Work is generally performed in a media center or classroom environment and other locations within and outside the school building as necessary. The position requires standing, walking, sitting and lifting/carrying work related items weighing up to 30 pounds.There is often a need to lift and set up equipment, to shelve books and other media on shelving as low as four inches from the floor and as high as 84 inches. Work requires sufficient mobility to move around the school in and out of classrooms.

HAZARDS/UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. Work may include noisy and/or disruptive student behavior. Occasionally work may involve exposure to student body fluids and disease conditions.