Standard 4: Program Administration
School library media candidates administer the library media program in order to support the mission of the school, and according to the principles of best practice in library science and program administration.
Reflection
Learning about library science has been a great experience. I have to admit that before starting the program I was unaware of many of the practices involved in library science. I understood the basics of the Dewey decimal system but didn’t understand the large role that it played in a media center’s collection development.
Working on the Collection Development plan for the media center at my school opened my eyes to the larger role that collection development plays in administering a library program. Going through the collection development plan helped me learn about the important evaluation tools available to media specialists. This assessment also helped me become comfortable using Safari and the ins and outs of the software that includes powerful analytic tools. I was able to determine areas of the collection that needed weeding. I was also able to find new resources to add to the collection that helped bolster areas that needed much help.
The Facilities Plan also helped me understand the many facets of administering a media program. I distinctly remember having a visceral reaction to certain procedures and practices in place in my current library. It was very humbling experience to fully understand why the media center had been setup the way it was and why certain procedures were in place. I was able to work with the media specialist and stakeholders to develop a plan for the media center. This helped me to understand the ins and outs of becoming a great administrator of media resources and programs in the school.
My personal learning network grew tremendously during the course of these two major projects. I was able to find vast resources and helpful links to establish best practices. I was able to use these links to share with my current media specialist and even saw the development of new policies as a result of my recommendations and resources highlighted through my professional learning network.
Working on the Collection Development plan for the media center at my school opened my eyes to the larger role that collection development plays in administering a library program. Going through the collection development plan helped me learn about the important evaluation tools available to media specialists. This assessment also helped me become comfortable using Safari and the ins and outs of the software that includes powerful analytic tools. I was able to determine areas of the collection that needed weeding. I was also able to find new resources to add to the collection that helped bolster areas that needed much help.
The Facilities Plan also helped me understand the many facets of administering a media program. I distinctly remember having a visceral reaction to certain procedures and practices in place in my current library. It was very humbling experience to fully understand why the media center had been setup the way it was and why certain procedures were in place. I was able to work with the media specialist and stakeholders to develop a plan for the media center. This helped me to understand the ins and outs of becoming a great administrator of media resources and programs in the school.
My personal learning network grew tremendously during the course of these two major projects. I was able to find vast resources and helpful links to establish best practices. I was able to use these links to share with my current media specialist and even saw the development of new policies as a result of my recommendations and resources highlighted through my professional learning network.