Study Guide
Field 138: Library-Media Specialist
Test Design and Framework
Recommendation for individuals using a screenreader: please set your punctuation settings to "most."
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
*Does not include 15-minute C B T tutorial
Test Framework
Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.
subarea roman numeral 1–The Professional Library-Media Specialist
Competency 0001–Apply knowledge of the professional roles and responsibilities of the library-media specialist, including how to demonstrate leadership and advocate for equitable intellectual access to information for all members of the school community.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Apply knowledge of the teacher role of the library-media specialist and the responsibilities associated with this role, such as using a variety of effective instructional strategies and technologies and developing curriculum that is aligned with state and national standards.
- Apply knowledge of the instructional partner role of the library-media specialist and the responsibilities associated with this role, such as collaborating in the planning and implementation of instruction and assessment that promotes interdisciplinary learning and development of information literacy and inquiry skills.
- Apply knowledge of the information specialist role of the library-media specialist and the responsibilities associated with this role, such as providing relevant resources in response to information needs, recommending resources to support the curriculum, and providing expertise in the effective and creative use of information and technology.
- Apply knowledge of the program manager role of the library-media specialist and the responsibilities associated with this role, such as overseeing and coordinating the library program and learner activities in the library media center.
- Apply knowledge of the leader and advocate roles of the library-media specialist and the responsibilities associated with these roles, such as serving as a resource for the school community and promoting open and equitable access to information and ideas for all members of the school community to enact positive change.
Competency 0002–Apply knowledge of professional standards for the library-media specialist and how to engage in ongoing professional development.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Apply knowledge of professional standards for library-media specialists and how to apply these standards in various contexts.
- Apply knowledge of legal and ethical issues associated with library programs, the implications of these issues for library-media specialists, and how to respond appropriately to legal and ethical issues in various contexts.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for engaging in relevant professional development and maintaining current research-based knowledge about literature and informational resources and technologies.
- Apply knowledge of how to use reflection and self-assessment to improve professional practice and learner outcomes.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for networking and collaborating with other education professionals to share ideas and information.
- Apply knowledge of how to plan, implement, and lead professional development to meet the diverse needs of all members of the school community.
Competency 0003–Apply knowledge of strategies for communicating and collaborating with members of the school community to promote information access and learner success.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Apply knowledge of skills and strategies that promote effective communication.
- Analyze strategies for initiating and maintaining communication between the school library program and learners, teachers, staff, administrators, families/caregivers, and the community.
- Apply knowledge of the collaborative process and factors that promote or present barriers to collaboration in various educational contexts.
- Apply knowledge of techniques for collaborative planning and teaching to promote the development of information literacy and inquiry skills among members of the school community.
- Identify strategies for interacting effectively and appropriately with learners, teachers, staff, families/caregivers, and members of the school community regarding their information needs and interests.
- Analyze strategies for eliciting information from library users regarding their needs and interests.
subarea roman numeral 2–Learner-Centered Practices, Resources, and Environments
Competency 0004–Apply knowledge of principles and practices of developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote learners' acquisition of information literacy and inquiry skills.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Apply knowledge of basic principles of child development and how development affects learners' information needs and interests.
- Apply knowledge of learning theory and instructional design, including the principles of differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning (U D L), to identify appropriate resources, approaches, and technologies for promoting the development of information literacy and inquiry skills in various contexts.
- Analyze advantages and limitations of different instructional methodologies, classroom management strategies, assessments, and materials in achieving given goals and objectives.
- Apply knowledge of curriculum development as it relates to information literacy and inquiry skills and strategies for integrating information literacy and inquiry skills into the school curriculum.
- Analyze strategies for integrating literature into the curriculum and for providing guidance to learners in reading, listening, and viewing for understanding and enjoyment.
- Apply knowledge of methods for providing resources and services that are responsive to the diverse characteristics, abilities, interests, and needs of all learners.
Competency 0005–Analyze the characteristics of and strategies for creating equitable physical and virtual learner-centered environments.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Apply knowledge of strategies for creating a positive, inviting, and accessible school library environment that responds to the needs of the learning community, promotes learners' pursuit of knowledge for personal interest and self-improvement, and encourages learners to take responsibility for their own learning.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for creating a school library environment that fosters sharing of diverse viewpoints and ideas and recognizes the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
- Analyze methods for supporting and encouraging learners' curiosity, exploration, and engagement with information and literature and for encouraging learners to read widely and deeply.
- Analyze strategies for creating a school library environment that supports multiple uses and that provides individuals, small groups, and classes with open access to resources at time and point of need.
- Analyze advantages and limitations of various options for scheduling library program resources, equipment, and space that promote equitable access for all members of the learning community.
- Apply knowledge of methods for providing all members of the school community with training and support to facilitate their use of resources and technology.
Competency 0006–Analyze strategies and methods for promoting the development of independent and collaborative information literacy, inquiry, and critical thinking skills as well as promoting social responsibility and effective and ethical use of information.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Analyze strategies for identifying informational needs, evaluating potential resources, and selecting appropriate resources for specific information needs as well as methods and materials for supporting learners' development and application of these skills.
- Analyze strategies for formulating research questions and conducting searches, assessing the progress of a search, and adjusting search strategies as needed as well as methods and materials for supporting learners' development and application of these skills.
- Analyze techniques for evaluating information from various resources as well as methods and materials for supporting learners' development and application of these skills.
- Analyze techniques for summarizing, organizing, representing, and synthesizing information from multiple sources as well as methods and materials for supporting learners' development and application of these skills.
- Analyze techniques for communicating and presenting information and inquiry outcomes accurately, ethically, and creatively to various audiences as well as methods and materials for supporting learners' development and application of these skills.
- Apply knowledge of strategies that foster individual and group inquiry; facilitate learners' ability to participate effectively in groups, including providing and responding to constructive feedback; and promote learners' ability to use information and technology to solve problems and pursue knowledge.
- Apply knowledge of considerations related to the safe, ethical, and responsible use of information and strategies for modeling and promoting digital citizenship, free expression, respect for others' ideas, and consideration of diverse and global perspectives.
subarea roman numeral 3–Library Program Administration
Competency 0007–Apply knowledge of the foundations and characteristics of an effective library program and its relationship to the total school program and to information resources and services beyond the school.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Demonstrate knowledge of the goals, characteristics, and functions of an effective library program; and its role in promoting intellectual freedom and providing equitable access to information.
- Analyze methods for developing a program of information literacy that aligns with school and district goals, state and national guidelines, and current research; emphasizes the research process; and plays an integral role in all curricular areas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how to advocate for the library program's role in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom and in reinforcing the importance of information in a democratic society.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for advocating ways the school library program can enhance school improvement efforts and be integrated into school improvement processes.
- Demonstrate understanding of the roles, interrelationships, and interdependency of all types of libraries and information agencies; strategies for establishing connections to other libraries; and techniques for initiating and implementing agreements for resource sharing.
- Apply knowledge of information resources and services beyond the school and of methods for helping the school community locate, access, evaluate, and use information resources beyond the school library.
Competency 0008–Apply knowledge of principles, policies, and procedures related to the development and management of the school library program collection.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Demonstrate knowledge of types, characteristics, and uses of various information resources and formats as well as the advantages and limitations of various resources and technologies with regard to specific informational needs.
- Apply knowledge of genres and characteristics of literature for children and young adults; considerations related to the selection and recommendation of literature; strategies for assisting learners in choosing reading materials that are responsive to their reading needs and interests; and strategies for promoting motivation to read, supporting the reading process, and fostering the habit of lifelong reading.
- Apply knowledge of the principles and procedures for developing a current and comprehensive school library collection that responds to the diverse developmental, cultural, social, and linguistic needs of the learning community and supports the school's curriculum, goals, and objectives.
- Apply knowledge of appropriate methods and policies, including the use of various data, for selecting, evaluating, deselecting, and reconsidering (i.e., addressing challenged materials) library media resources, including strategies for involving the school community in these activities.
- Apply knowledge of procedures for processing, organizing, inventorying, analyzing, and maintaining library media resources and equipment and for establishing and implementing policies that promote equitable access.
- Apply knowledge of strategies for creating and communicating library media policies that reflect the legal guidelines and professional ethics of librarianship and promote responsible use of information and technology.
Competency 0009–Apply knowledge of considerations, procedures, and practices related to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the library program.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Analyze procedures and practices for assessing the informational and instructional needs of learners, teachers, administrators, and staff.
- Apply knowledge of strategies and procedures for establishing short- and long-term goals for the school library program based on identified needs, goals, and objectives of the school as well as state and national standards.
- Analyze strategies for ongoing data collection and analysis to make modifications to the school library program, and for applying research findings to improve the school library program.
- Analyze techniques for evaluating the school library program using established goals and standards and for including members of the school community in this process.
- Apply knowledge of principles involved in preparing and administering a budget, using appropriate record-keeping and reporting techniques, and communicating the financial status and needs of the school library program.
- Apply knowledge of the roles of support staff, volunteers, and learner helpers in the school library program; methods for identifying personnel needs; and principles related to training, supervising, and evaluating support staff, volunteers, and learner helpers in the school library program.
- Apply knowledge of procedures and practices related to the development and implementation of strategies to communicate the school library program's goals, needs, and accomplishments.
subarea roman numeral 4–Constructed-Response Assignment
Competency 0010–Analyze data and other relevant information to plan instruction to address an identified information literacy or inquiry skills need for a group of learners in a given instructional context.
start italics The following topics are examples of content that may be covered under this competency. end italics
- Analyze various forms of learner data to identify an information literacy or inquiry skills need.
- Apply knowledge of standards-based learning goals related to information literacy and inquiry skills in various educational contexts.
- Apply knowledge of how to design and implement developmentally appropriate information literacy and inquiry skills instruction.
- Apply knowledge of evidence-based strategies for differentiating instructional methods and materials to support all learners in developing effective information literacy and inquiry skills.
- Apply knowledge of methods for assessing learners' achievement of targeted information literacy or inquiry skills objectives.