Study Guide
Library Media Specialist
Test Design and Framework
The test design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.
Test Design
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time* | 2 hours |
| Passing Score | 220 |
*Does not include 15-minute tutorial
Test Framework
| Content Domain | Range of Competencies | Approximate Percentage of Test Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. | The School Library Program | 0001–0003 | 30% |
| II. | Information Literacy Skills | 0004–0007 | 40% |
| III. | Program Administration | 0008–0010 | 30% |
Domain I–The School Library Program
Competency 0001–Apply knowledge of the role of the school library program in relation to the school's overall educational program and the relationship of the school library program to information resources and services beyond the school.
For example:
- Apply knowledge of strategies for developing, communicating, and implementing a vision and goals for the school library program that are aligned with the vision and goals of the school and the district and for using the vision to guide decision making in the library program.
- Demonstrate understanding of the goals, characteristics, and functions shared by effective school library programs and the library program's role in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom, equitable access to information, and digital citizenship.
- Apply knowledge of the school library program's role as an integral, active, and collaborative participant in all curricular areas and strategies for managing the library program to support the school curriculum and promote student achievement.
- Apply knowledge of the types of information resources and services available beyond the school and strategies for supporting the school community in locating, accessing, and evaluating these resources and services.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for establishing and maintaining connections between the school library program and information resources and services beyond the school and techniques for interacting and networking with other library professionals.
Competency 0002–Apply knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the library media specialist, including strategies and resources for ongoing professional development.
For example:
- Apply knowledge of the library media specialist's role as a partner with regard to curriculum, instruction, and assessment and responsibilities associated with this role (e.g., collaborative planning, implementation, and assessment of instruction; supporting interdisciplinary learning; integration of information literacy skills into content curricula).
- Apply knowledge of the library media specialist's role as an instructional leader and expert in the responsible and effective use of information and technology and responsibilities associated with this role (e.g., providing professional development, serving as a resource person, recommending professional materials, offering training and support in the use of information and technology resources).
- Apply knowledge of the library media specialist's role as an advocate for the library program and the responsibilities associated with this role (e.g., identifying stakeholders to promote the program, promoting the library program within and outside of the school community, promoting twenty-first-century literacy skills, securing administrator support for the library program).
- Apply knowledge of the library media specialist's role as a program manager and the responsibilities associated with this role (e.g., overseeing operations, coordinating services and schedules).
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources for ongoing professional development (e.g., reflection, self-assessment, action research, workshops, conferences); techniques for maintaining knowledge of current research related to school library programs; and legal and ethical issues associated with school library programs (e.g., copyright, licensing, intellectual property), as well as the implications of these issues for school librarians.
Competency 0003–Apply knowledge of skills and strategies for communicating and collaborating with various school stakeholder groups to promote information literacy.
For example:
- Apply knowledge of skills and strategies for communicating effectively with various stakeholder groups (e.g., students, families, teachers, administrators, community partners).
- Apply knowledge of strategies for establishing and maintaining communication between the school library program and members of the school and broader community.
- Apply knowledge of techniques for gathering information from school library users regarding their information needs and interests and strategies for interacting effectively and appropriately with library users with regard to their needs and interests.
- Apply knowledge of the collaborative process, including factors that promote and impede collaboration.
- Apply knowledge of how to use collaborative planning and teaching to promote the development of information literacy among members of the school community.
Domain II–Information Literacy Skills
Competency 0004–Apply knowledge of child and adolescent development; principles and practices of curriculum development, instructional planning, delivery, and assessment; and strategies for providing information resources and services that are responsive to the needs of diverse students.
For example:
- Demonstrate understanding of child and adolescent development; how development affects the information needs of children and adolescents; and how to provide resources and services that are responsive to the characteristics, needs, and interests of diverse students.
- Apply knowledge of principles and practices of curriculum development and differentiated instruction as they relate to information literacy skills and how to integrate information literacy skills across curricular areas.
- Apply knowledge of learning theory and methods for designing learning experiences and identifying resources to promote the development of critical thinking and information literacy skills in various contexts.
- Apply knowledge of the advantages and limitations of various instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, assessments, and materials for achieving given goals and objectives.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for promoting student motivation and engagement, fostering individual and group inquiry, facilitating students' ability to participate effectively and productively in groups, and promoting students' ability to use information and technology to solve problems and pursue knowledge.
Competency 0005–Apply knowledge of strategies for creating an inclusive, student-centered learning environment in the school library that facilitates intellectual and physical access to information, literature, and ideas and promotes inquiry and lifelong learning.
For example:
- Demonstrate understanding of strategies for creating a positive, inviting, and inclusive learning environment in the school library.
- Apply knowledge of methods for establishing and maintaining a responsive learning environment in the school library that supports and encourages the pursuit of knowledge, encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning, and fosters individual and collaborative inquiry.
- Demonstrate understanding of how to provide a learning environment in the school library that supports multiple uses and provides open access to resources, equipment, and space by individuals, small groups, and classes of students at time and point of need.
- Apply knowledge of various scheduling options; their advantages and limitations; and techniques for scheduling library resources, equipment, and space to provide equitable access for all members of the school community.
- Apply knowledge of methods for evaluating the learning environment in the school library and making adjustments to the learning environment as needed.
Competency 0006–Apply knowledge of characteristics and uses of various information and technology resources, the types and characteristics of literature and informational texts for children and adolescents, and strategies and skills for promoting literacy.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the types, characteristics, and uses of a wide range of information and technology resources.
- Apply knowledge of the advantages and limitations of various resources, formats, services, and technologies for specific information needs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the genres and characteristics of literature for children and adolescents, the types and characteristics of informational texts, and issues related to selection and recommendation of literature and informational texts.
- Apply knowledge of techniques for assisting students in the selection of reading materials that are appropriate for their personal and information needs and reading levels and that facilitate the reading process.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for integrating literature and informational texts into the curriculum; promoting literature appreciation; and providing guidance in reading, listening, and viewing for understanding and enjoyment.
Competency 0007–Apply knowledge of the full range of information, media, and digital literacy skills and methods and materials for promoting the development and application of these skills.
For example:
- Apply knowledge of how to identify information needs, locate information efficiently, and select appropriate resources for a given need as well as methods and materials for promoting students' development of and ability to apply these skills.
- Apply knowledge of how to formulate research questions, conduct information searches, assess the progress of searches, and adjust search strategies as well as methods and materials for promoting students' development of and ability to apply these skills.
- Apply knowledge of how to organize, synthesize, and summarize information from various sources as well as methods and materials for promoting students' development of and ability to apply these skills.
- Apply knowledge of how to analyze and critically evaluate information and resources as well as methods and materials for promoting students' development of and ability to apply these skills.
- Apply knowledge of how to collaborate with others in person and at a distance to share information and solve problems as well as methods and materials for promoting students' development of and ability to apply these skills.
- Apply knowledge of how to communicate information obtained through searches accurately, ethically, and creatively as well as methods and materials for promoting students' development of and ability to apply these skills.
- Apply knowledge of methods and materials for promoting students' development of and ability to apply self-assessment skills related to the inquiry process, the quality and effectiveness of learning products, and the ability to work with others.
Domain III–Program Administration
Competency 0008–Apply knowledge of the principles of collection development and procedures for developing, managing, and organizing the school library collection.
For example:
- Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for developing a school library collection that is responsive to the diverse needs of the school community and supports the curriculum, goals, and objectives of the school.
- Apply knowledge of strategies and criteria for evaluating, selecting, weeding, and reconsidering school library resources as well as methods for involving the school community in these activities.
- Demonstrate understanding of procedures for creating school library program policies that reflect legal guidelines, professional ethics, and responsible use of information and technology and strategies for communicating these policies to members of the school community.
- Apply knowledge of systems and methods for classifying and cataloging school library resources and equipment and factors to consider when establishing circulation policies.
- Apply knowledge of systems, tools, and technologies for managing the school library collection efficiently and effectively.
Competency 0009–Demonstrate understanding of the principles, policies, and procedures for managing human, financial, and physical resources of the school library program.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of roles of various school library staff positions and considerations related to the selection and training of library staff.
- Demonstrate understanding of effective and appropriate strategies for supervising and evaluating school library staff and addressing personnel issues in various contexts.
- Demonstrate understanding of the budgeting process, record keeping, and reporting for the school library program and methods for operating the library program in a cost-effective and financially sound manner.
- Demonstrate knowledge of various funding sources for school library programs within and beyond the school and methods for acquiring funding from these sources.
- Demonstrate understanding of how to organize the physical space of the school library for efficiency and accessibility.
Competency 0010–Apply knowledge of techniques and procedures for comprehensive and collaborative planning, assessment, and evaluation of the school library program.
For example:
- Apply knowledge of methods for learning about the information and recreation needs of the school community and how to use that information to define goals and make decisions with regard to library resources and services.
- Apply knowledge of methods for collaborating with various stakeholder groups in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the school library program.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for aligning the school library program with national information literacy and technology standards, Missouri Learning Standards, and the goals and objectives of the district and the school.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the school library program, reporting evaluation results to school stakeholders, and using evaluation results to modify the library program as indicated in evaluation results.
- Apply knowledge of research on the role of school library programs in student learning and achievement and strategies for integrating the library program into strategic planning and school reform efforts.