Library Media Specialists: "key hires"

A feature article in Scholastic Administrator magazine (February 2008) highlights Library Media Specialists as "key hires:"

"Like a school principal, library media specialists touch the educational lives of every student and teacher. Unlike principals, library media specialists work directly and on a full-time basis with students, teachers, and the curriculum....They collaborate with teachers, administrators, and others to prepare students for future success."

The article also sites a set of evaluation standards developed through the South Carolina Department of Education as a hiring and screening process for Media Specialists.

I was struck with the appreciation that this publication had for the the range of responsibilities that media specials are prepared to handle and are uniquely positioned to promote.

(And by the way, this issue of SA arrived after my previous post!)