5.1 Collections

Candidates evaluate and select print, non-print, and digital resources using professional selection tools and evaluation criteria to develop and manage a quality collection designed to meet the diverse curricular, personal, and professional needs of students, teachers, and administrators.
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Description
I used a wide variety of selection sources to compile this materials order. It includes recently published, high quality titles in both print and digital formats. Each item I selected for this order has a summary, rationale, awards, and list of reviews. 

Analysis
This was a labor of love that resulted in a comprehensive list of picture books, chapter books, nonfiction books, audiobooks, music, websites, and apps. I used several different review sources, which helped me to find a wide variety of excellent materials. The inclusion of a rationale adds strength to this artifact, because it highlights the importance of each item that was chosen.  As a media specialist it is too easy to become focused on the print materials, and to forget about the other options such as audiobooks and apps. This list could be even better if it included databases and videos. ​
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​Reflection
In the process of completing this assignment, I found many books and other items that have become my all-time favorites. Even though some of the items are a few years old, I made sure to include them in my first order as a media specialist. I have learned that a media specialist does not usually have time to type up such a comprehensive summary for each item she orders. However, I do always make sure that I have a solid rationale for each item I order, that I choose a variety of materials, and that each item has at least two positive reviews. Several positive reviews and awards from notable sources help to ensure you are getting the highest quality materials. ​

​5.2 Professional Ethics

Candidates practice the ethical principles of their profession, advocate for intellectual freedom and privacy, and promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility.
PicturePage 1 of my Voice Thread
Description
I promoted and modeled digital citizenship and responsibility in this Voice Thread on cyberbullying. It covered current statistics as well as the impact of cyberbullying on students. I also shared ways that media specialists can educate their staff and students about this topic. 

Analysis
Media specialists have a responsibility to help deter cyberbullying.  The resources shared on this Voice Thread are invaluable tools to help all media specialists from elementary to high school. AASL Standards dictate that we must address internet safety and digital citizenship in elementary school, but the resources are not always readily available. This Voice Thread compiles a lot of resources that a typical media specialist would not have the time to find herself. It also includes ideas for how a busy librarian can integrate digital citizenship lessons into other curriculum areas. The one weakness of a Voice Thread is that links cannot be shared within it, and so any links for resources would have to be shared separately. ​
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​Reflection
I learned a lot about cyberbullying and the enormous responsibility that we, as media specialists, have in the fight against it. It is my job to start by educating the teachers in my building about the effects that this can have on their students. I also need to ensure that they have access to the resources that are available to help them, in turn, educate their students. With increased access to technology, children must learn how to use it safely and responsibly. As a result of this research, I have found ways to integrate regular mini-lessons about good digital citizenship in all of my classes. Even kindergartners can learn the basics of how to use technology responsibly.​ ​

5.3 Personnel, Funding, & Facilities

Candidates apply best practices related to planning, budgeting, and evaluating human, information, and physical resources. Candidates develop, implement, and evaluate policies and procedures that support teaching and learning in school libraries.
PictureHomepage of my Policies and Procedures webstie
​Description
All my policies and procedures can be found on this website. Library patrons can find information on the library hours of operation, circulation procedures, budgeting, selection policy, ethical use, and volunteers.

Analysis
Students, parents, and other library stakeholders can access this website from anywhere to find anything they might want to know about my library policies and procedures. It answers questions patrons might have about how I plan, budget, and evaluate resources. If a substitute needs to know how to charge for a lost book, she can look here. Similarly, parents can find out how to challenge a book, administrators can find my selection criteria, and teachers can learn about copyright rules. It’s all here in this one neat and organized package. ​
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​Reflection
This website demonstrates the importance of having clear policies and procedures that everyone in my school community can access. It was another assignment that opened my eyes to the enormity of a media specialist’s responsibilities. I am glad it is something that I spent a lot of time on, and that it is applicable to my new school library position. I plan to update this site, so that I can make it relevant to my current library patrons.​

​5.4 Strategic Planning & Assessment

Candidates communicate and collaborate with students, teachers, administrators, and community members to develop a library program that aligns resources, services, and standards with the school's mission. Candidates make effective use of data and information to assess how the library program addresses the needs of their diverse communities.
PictureStaff survey to help create program goals
​Description
Through a series of interviews and surveys, I discovered that our teachers rarely worked collaboratively with the media specialist. I determined that the media specialist needed to work more closely with teachers to develop lessons that support our students’ learning and suggested specific ways in which this could be accomplished.​

Analysis
The tools that I used to collect data were effective in highlighting a significant area of need at our school. Most teachers who answered the survey admitted to collaborating with the media specialist only rarely. I also found through my interview with the media specialist, that students weren’t applying the note-taking skills she taught them. If the media specialist could work more closely with teachers to streamline the note-taking process, this would increase collaboration and have a significant impact on student learning. The weakness of the online survey that I used is that only a small percentage of teachers took the time to respond to it. In the future, I plan to gather information by handing out paper copies of surveys at staff meetings and asking that they get filled out before teachers leave. This will ensure a greater rate of participation and a much larger sample size to help me make program decisions.
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​Reflection
Streamlining the note-taking process has been a crusade of mine since taking this position as a media specialist. After reviewing the data, it was apparent that we needed to work together to find one note-taking method that we use with the students consistently across every subject. My first goal is to present the data to my administrator and try to obtain her support in streamlining our teaching methods. Then, I plan to gather a team of teachers from each grade level, as well as the media specialist from our local middle school, to find a note-taking method that will work for all of us. Including the media specialist will help us make decisions that will prepare our students for the demands of middle school note-taking.​