Purcells+article

In the article Purcell states " If the library media specialist is doing their job well, they are making a difference in the ways teachers teach and in the ways students learn."

(page 30) paragraph one

She states that on any given day a librarian could be performing many different tasks.

She also states that the perception of what the librarian does is limited it is due to this that the school community does not value what the librarian does in relation to student learning.

Librarian needs to prove that what is occurring in the library is affecting student achievement.

Thus the librarian is ..... "leader,instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and program administrator." (page 30) paragraph 2

"accomplished media specialists engage in reflective practice to increase their effectiveness."

Under the heading the role of the media specialist Purcell quotes Osler stating librarians are useful and not just buffers between the books and the users

OMG moment it was the 1970's (I was born in 1970) that the idea of a librarian being a media specialist arose this was due to the print material. ( why then is the perception still that the libraryis about print only)

I like this part of the role best "school library media specialists assist teachers and students in functioning in an increasingly complex world" ( page 31 paragraph 4)

As I stated above Purcell sagrees that still users of the library are unsure of the role of the librarian.

LEadeR " the leadership role can be displayed through the organization and planning of staff development, active committee and organization involvement, and professional advocacy"

INstructional PArTnEr Under this heading Purcell describes the role of librarian as collaborator to improve student learning Things like co-teaching a hole unit Purcell again describes some of the related activities that go under this heading page 32 paragraph 3&4

INfOrMation SPCIAlist

Is responsible for helping the school community gather information in all formats

" the goal for every media program should be to ensure that their students are information literate." (p23) Purcell discribes what the librarian does as a leader. Page 31 paragraph 6

Teacher "... empowers students to become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information."

"Students need direct instruction on21st century skills and opportunities to practice and apply those skills."

Program Administratiors

"...library media specialists manages all the activities related to the library media program."

"School library media specialists are responsible for the acquisition, organisation, storage, distribution, retrieval, maintenance, administration, and evaluation of large quantity of materials and equipment."

"School library media specialists have the responsibility of being knowledgeable about all members of their community to provide resources and services to meet all of their needs."