I have been thinking a lot lately about what value Library Media Specialists add to their schools and districts.
Cutting the LMS is a hot topic these days, as school districts, especially in Kansas, look to slash their budgets even further than they already have. (But I won't get into that.)
The unfortunate thing about this is that the library patrons are the ones missing out on so much. And by library patrons, I mean students, teachers, administrators, paras, and anyone else who happens to walk in the door of a library.
I feel as though the vast majority of Library Media Specialists are pretty valuable employees. They have skills that can transfer to many situations. They have ......
As an LMS I can be used in multiple ways by my district and my building.
I can work with teachers on individualized Professional Development, helping them plan lessons and units that are "just right" for their students and themselves.
I can work with students on their assignments, particularly research, helping them find the "just right" source for their projects.
I can work with technology, to help teachers integrate new tools into their classrooms in meaningful ways.
I can locate whatever students and teachers are looking for.
I can teach classes on any subject the state considers me "highly qualified" in.
I can troubleshoot technology - software and hardware.
I can curate online and print resources for both students and teachers and demonstrate to them how powerful a collection of resources can be.
I can connect online resources and print materials to each teacher's curriculum, to help them make meaningful connections.
I can organize print materials to be used well - for information and enjoyment - by students and teachers.
I can be an information specialist, program administrator, teacher, and instructional partner.
I can fill in the roles that my school and district seek of me, even if they are outside the library realm.
Library Media Specialists can fill so many roles. They are fixers, they are learners, they are finders.
So the question to the district is not whether the LMS is a valuable employee, whose position should be protected rather than cut. The question is: what do you value the most?
Cutting the LMS is a hot topic these days, as school districts, especially in Kansas, look to slash their budgets even further than they already have. (But I won't get into that.)
The unfortunate thing about this is that the library patrons are the ones missing out on so much. And by library patrons, I mean students, teachers, administrators, paras, and anyone else who happens to walk in the door of a library.
I feel as though the vast majority of Library Media Specialists are pretty valuable employees. They have skills that can transfer to many situations. They have ......
As an LMS I can be used in multiple ways by my district and my building.
I can work with teachers on individualized Professional Development, helping them plan lessons and units that are "just right" for their students and themselves.
I can work with students on their assignments, particularly research, helping them find the "just right" source for their projects.
I can work with technology, to help teachers integrate new tools into their classrooms in meaningful ways.
I can locate whatever students and teachers are looking for.
I can teach classes on any subject the state considers me "highly qualified" in.
I can troubleshoot technology - software and hardware.
I can curate online and print resources for both students and teachers and demonstrate to them how powerful a collection of resources can be.
I can connect online resources and print materials to each teacher's curriculum, to help them make meaningful connections.
I can organize print materials to be used well - for information and enjoyment - by students and teachers.
I can be an information specialist, program administrator, teacher, and instructional partner.
I can fill in the roles that my school and district seek of me, even if they are outside the library realm.
Library Media Specialists can fill so many roles. They are fixers, they are learners, they are finders.
So the question to the district is not whether the LMS is a valuable employee, whose position should be protected rather than cut. The question is: what do you value the most?