Library Media Teacher

Lewistown Public Schools

Job Description

Job Title:               LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST 

Reports To:           Building Principal/Superintendent

Classification:       Certified Teacher

FLSA Status:         Exempt     

Updated:                February 2016

SUMMARY:  This position performs decision analysis and makes decisions of considerable consequence in determining how best to aid students and teachers in a library setting.  The functional role of this position requires the application and interpretation of data, facts, procedures, and policies.  The librarian meets frequently with school administrators, teachers, and other staff to communicate information, data, and alternative problem solutions.  Teaches students academic, social, and motor skills by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Other duties may be assigned.

• Delivers library media curriculum to students in partnerships with other teaching staff.
• Collaborates with teachers in all content areas as part of an instructional team.
• Helps students to develop habits of independent information access and application through an inquiry process that fosters information problem solving.
• Evaluates, selects, orders, catalogs, and processes learning resources for the library.
• Assists teachers in the selection of books and other instructional materials, and makes library media center materials available to support and enrich the curriculum of the building.
• Informs teachers and other staff members concerning new learning materials the library acquires.
• Plans and supervises the distribution and storage of all media materials and equipment (High School only).
• Arranges for interlibrary loan of materials.
• Counsels with and gives reading guidance to students who have special reading needs.
• Weeds obsolete and worn materials from the collections to reflect changing curriculum needs of the district.
• Supervises the operational routines of the media center.
• Evaluates, promotes, and uses existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, supplement school resources, connect the school with the global learning community, communicate with students and teachers, and provide 24/7 access to library services.
• Promotes the ethical use of information.
• Understand copyright, fair use, and licensing of intellectual property and assist users with their understanding and observance of the same.
• Instructs pupils in research skills and in the use of library media and equipment to supplement and reinforce classroom instruction.
• Works with school administrators, teachers, other staff and parents in the selecting and acquiring of library collection additions, books, equipment and print and non-print instructional materials.
• Plans, organizes and coordinates the technical library operational processes, including the acquisition, organization, maintenance, retrieval, and inventory control (High School only).
• Submits recommendations on library policies and services to the principal and/or Board of Trustees, and implements policy decisions.
• Analyzes and coordinates departmental budget estimates and controls expenditures to administer approved budget.
• Establishes and maintains District standards of pupil behavior as needed to provide an orderly, productive environment.
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student life and conduct, and, for the library, develops reasonable rules of library behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the library in a fair and just manner.
• Maintains lines of communication with parents, administrators, and school counselors on pupil progress.
• Perpetuates and maintains professional working relationships with colleagues.
• Identifies pupil needs, and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping pupils solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Participates in District and state curriculum and other developmental programs.
• Interprets content of the established District curriculum through contacts with parents and daily contacts with students.
• Is responsible for pupil attendance accounting as delegated by the administrator to whom they are responsible.
• Cares for and uses school property and maintains an inventory of district property.
• Participates in planning and evaluating the school program.
• Is involved in a process of self-evaluation and self-improvement.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district, and in self-selected professional growth activities.
• Maintains an open-minded and professional attitude toward background information pertaining to students by working with each student on his/her merits as an individual and making use of appropriate records to enhance the educational developments of students.

The above performance responsibilities are not all inclusive and may be altered or added to by the Principal, Superintendent of Schools or Board of Trustees.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES - Supervision would be limited to Library Media Specialist assigned to this program and the preparation of the daily work schedule for the Library Media Specialist.

QUALIFICATIONS - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE - Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from an accredited college or university with emphasis in library science instructional technology and contemporary library science; and a valid Montana teaching certificate with Library (K-12) Endorsement.

LANGUAGE SKILLS - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, parents, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS - The work environment for instructors has increasingly become technology driven.  Lewistown Public Schools expects staff to meet reasonable expectations in the use of computers and other technology, in and out of the classroom.

REASONING ABILITY - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to demonstrate skills; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk and hear.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS - Employees of Lewistown Public Schools must exhibit acceptable work habits and perform tasks in a professional manner by adhering to the following guidelines:  Maintain proper grooming and dress consistent with the type of task being performed; be regular in attendance and punctual for work; initiate tasks in a self-directed manner and perform work with a minimum of supervision; organize work and manage time to achieve efficiency and high quality of work; perform tasks neatly and accurately in accordance with desired quality and quantity; provide positive feedback to supervisor(s) for implementing ideas which will make the work assigned more effective and efficient; maintain self control and a friendly, outgoing disposition; and maintain confidentiality of related work matters as applicable.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE - Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment in the Lewistown Public Schools, as per Board Policy #5226.  Employees of Lewistown Public Schools must submit to a fingerprint criminal background check.  Any appointment will be contingent upon the results of the criminal background report received from the Department of Justice, which must be acceptable to the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion.

EVALUATION - Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Non-Administrative Staff.