LIBRARY

A Licensed School Librarian, known in Minnesota as a School Library Media Specialist, has a Master’s Degree in library information science or a graduate certificate in school library media programs as well as a state-issued media specialist teaching license. The purpose of a librarian in the school is to work directly with students and staff. A licensed library media specialist:

• Encourages a love of literacy, reading and the pursuit of knowledge
• Provides access to reliable, relevant, age-appropriate resources
• Collaborates with teachers to support instruction and teach digital citizenship, research, information and technology literacy skills
• Work directly with students to support reading and the development of skills needed to be college or career ready 
• Advocate for intellectual freedom and ensure access to information that represents multiple perspectives

Scholastic has compiled research from over 30 separate studies demonstrating the integral role librarians play in teaching and supporting student learning. They found that when school librarians are cut, student achievement suffers. View the full report: School Libraries Work

Just as all content areas have standards, library media specialists have information and technology literacy standards to meet for all grade levels. The American Association of School Librarians published new standards in 2019. The standards may be viewed at: https://standards.aasl.org