Administration of School Library Media Centers
This course will survey principles and practices involved in the role, function, and administration of K-12 school library media centers. Topics will include budgeting, personnel issues, time management, fund raising, and resource sharing. In addition, issues of copyright compliance will be discussed.
Topics and Objectives
The Function/Role of the School Library Media Center
- Utilize the American Library Association (ALA) accepted standards to identify the function and role of an effective school library media center.
- Discuss the value of having a mission statement and goals that align with ALA standards.
- Identify functions and roles that have become expectations of the school library media center with the growth of technology.
Library Media Program
- Identify the impact of the library media specialist on the library media program.
- Evaluate the time demands for the various roles of a library media specialist.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the library media program.
- Discuss the implications of technology for the role of the library media specialist.
Models of School/District Library Organizations
- Compare and contrast various scheduling models.
- Analyze different acquisition models.
Resource Management
- Discuss the responsibilities of managing information/media resources.
- Discuss the responsibilities of managing human resources.
- Discuss the responsibilities of managing physical resources.
- Discuss strategies for collaboration with the school community.
Budget Management
- Develop an understanding of the budget development process.
- Identify effective use of budgeted funds.
- Identify state and district laws and policies related to library budgets and spending.
Purchasing and Licensing
- identify state and district laws and policies related to purchasing issues.
- Evaluate the benefits of purchasing licensing and user access.
Copyright Compliance
- identify copyright laws/issues as they relate to the school library media center.
- Identify the legal standards for "fair use" exemptions.
- Explain "public domain."
- Discuss the role and responsibility of assuring copyright compliance by library personnel.
Grants, Fundraising, and other Alternative Sources of Funding
- Identify the implications of applying for and accepting grant funds.
- Identify sources of grants, fundraising, and other alternative sources of funding to promote the library media program.
Role of Consortia and Resource Sharing
- Understand the role and value of consortia relationships.
- Investigate types of resource sharing found in school library media centers.