Personal+Philosophy


 * Personal Philosophy of Library Services **

The media center should not only be at the center of all learning, it should represent the heart of the school, an inviting, warm, and stimulating place in which all parts of the community (i.e. students, parents, and staff) come together in their search for information as well as educational and recreational reading materials. The physical environment and the collection should be in accordance with the school’s mission statement as well as with the aims and beliefs of the library program as stated in the library’s policies and procedures manual. At the same time, the media center should allow patrons of all cultural, religious, political and social backgrounds to find themselves and their views represented, providing at the same time a window into the world. The media specialist should be more than a mere manager of the library’s collection. She should demonstrate leadership, especially in the evaluation and introduction of emerging technologies, in keeping fellow educators and administrators informed about developments in educational theories and practices, in protecting and upholding the rights of every library user as stated in ALA’s //Library Bill of Rights//, //Freedom to Read Statement// and //Freedom to View Statement//. At the same time, the media specialist should make use of every opportunity to teach information literacy skills, and to instill a passion for life-long learning and reading in patrons. She should be a role model in the ethical use of information, insuring that copyright regulations are observed and any form of censorship is discouraged. Media specialists should not avoid emerging technologies such as Web 2.0 tools and electronic reading devices that some consider a threat to the survival of traditional print materials and libraries in general, but rather embrace them and make use of their potential in the promotion of the media center and its program as well as in the improvement of services provided. Media specialists should therefore aim at bringing the concept of Library 2.0, which focuses on the user, into their libraries. Steps should be taken to allow patrons to have a say in the choice of materials and services provided and to make them an integral, actively involved part. This requires the media specialist to be a highly reflective practitioner who constantly evaluates resources and services, selecting the most appropriate for her particular patrons. Further, media centers should have a strong e-presence - while not ignoring other means of communication - to promote and provide access to their resources and services beyond regular working hours. At the same time it should connect people within the school’s community and beyond. In order to achieve all this, media specialists will constantly need to grow professionally, acquire knowledge and skills in the field of education and libraries and in the use of new technologies while remaining flexible and open to change. Lastly, the media specialist needs to be aware how much her personality and leadership skills determine the failure or success of the program. In order to make the media center truly the heart of the school, linking students and teachers, teachers and parents, parents and administrators, and the school community at large with other communities around the world she needs to be outgoing, caring, welcoming, service-oriented and on good terms with all members of the school community and beyond.