School Library Media, CAS

(315) 443-2911

Overview:

Students who already possess a master’s degree in library and information science from Syracuse University, or another accredited institution, can be certified as school library media specialists after being accepted into the program and then by completing the following coursework. Students must first undergo a thorough review of their graduate library science degree transcript to determine if the core graduate course requirements and the undergraduate course requirements have been fulfilled. If all requirements have not been met, additional courses will be required.

School librarians provide active curriculum support services and library and information skills instruction in elementary and secondary school settings. School librarians serve as intermediaries between the information needs of students, faculty, administration, and community and the information systems and resources required to fulfill those needs. In this capacity, school librarians provide print and non-print media in support of the curriculum; collaborate with classroom teachers by teaching research/information literacy skills in the context of the general curriculum; guide students in selecting reading materials and provide literacy support; introduce and facilitate effective use and delivery of current and emerging technologies; and implement a range of 21st century skills-based programs and services.

The traditional role of school librarians has expanded to include:

designing, delivering, and assessing instruction that motivates students to acquire and use skills needed for learning in an information environment.
planning inquiry-based learning experiences.
selecting and using information resources and instructional technologies to facilitate student motivation and inquiry-based learning.
connecting instruction to national and state standards.
integrating instruction across the curriculum.
providing instructional leadership, collaboration, and support in the area of information and inquiry skills in schools and districts.
collection management based on a unified media concept.
teaching, support, and guidance in the use of information resources from a problem-solving perspective.
promotion of print, media, and digital literacy.
curriculum consultation and technology innovation.
information management beyond the walls of the centralized library facility; and program management.

The current educational focus on inquiry-based lifetime learning, critical thinking skills, and multiple literacies directly links overall educational goals to the services and resources of the school library program.

The nationally ranked (U.S. News & World Report) School Library Media Program at Syracuse University prepares students for the exciting and challenging role of the school librarian. The School of Information Studies has developed a competency-based academic program, based on the New York State Teaching Standards and School Librarian Competencies based on the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and leading to New York State certification as a school library media specialist.

The program is presented in a distance learning course format only.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Mission, Vision, and Core Values - Develop, advocate, and enact a shared mission, vision, and core values of high-quality education

2. Ethical Principles and Professional Norms - Act ethically and according to professional norms

3. Equity and Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness - Strive for equity and inclusivity of educational opportunity, and culturally and linguistically responsive practices

4. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment - Design, deliver and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction and assessment

5. Community of Care and Support for Students - Cultivate an inclusive caring and supportive school community

6. Professional Capacity of School Personnel - Develop their personal professional capacity and practice to best support other school personnel

7. Professional Community for Teachers and Staff - Foster development of a professional community of teachers and other professional staff

8. Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community - Engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways

9. Operations and Management - Manage resources and operations to promote each learner’s academic and/or professional success and well-being by creating an inviting environment, providing a flexible program, developing the collection, curating and organizing the resources, integrating digital and technology access, managing appropriate funding and encouraging critical thinking to create a community of lifelong learners

10. School Improvement - Act as agents of continuous improvement

11. Literacy and Reading - Promote reading for learning, personal growth, and enjoyment (and) are aware of major trends in children’s and young adult literature. They select reading materials in multiple formats to support reading for information, pleasure, and lifelong learning. They use a variety of strategies to reinforce classroom reading instruction to address the diverse needs and interests of all readers. Literacy takes many forms (EX: digital, information, cultural, etc.) that all rely on the foundational literacy of reading

12. Technology Competence - Integrate and effectively use current and emerging technologies for teaching and learning to support other school personnel

Curriculum:

The graduate certificate in school library media requires the completion of 21 total credits.

I. Core Courses (18 credits)

The following required courses provide a foundation in literature, media services instructional design, assessment and evaluation, teaching methods, reading support services, collaboration, information technologies in education, information literacy, and motivation.

IST 564 - Accessible Library & Information Services 3 credit(s)
IST 611 - Information Technologies in Educational Organizations 3 credit(s)
IST 612 - Youth Services in Libraries and Information Centers 3 credit(s)
IST 661 - Managing a School Library 3 credit(s)
IST 663 - Instructional Leadership for School Librarians 3 credit(s)
IST 668 - Literacy Through School Libraries 3 credit(s)

II. Fieldwork (100 hours, 50 hours on each level)

School library media students must complete a total of 100 (non-credit) hours of fieldwork in elementary and secondary school libraries before their first practicum experience. A minimum of 15 hours must be with students with disabilities.

III. Practicum (3 credits)

Students must complete a 3-credit, on-site, school-based supervised practica-one at the elementary level and one at the secondary level (120 hours each).

IST 972 - School Media Practicum

IV. Additional Requirements

Students must complete the school media competencies checklist at the beginning of the program, after their second fieldwork experience, after their first practicum experience, and after all coursework, fieldwork and practica have been completed. This instrument is used as a means for documenting student growth and as a guide for fieldwork and practicum placement.

Upon completion of the School Library Media Program, combined with New York State requirements including (1) completion of the New York State child abuse, substance abuse, and violence prevention workshops; (2) the Child Health and Life Safety Prevention workshop (fire and arson prevention; highway safety and traffic regulations and school safety patrols; child abduction prevention; and prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse)*; (3) fingerprinting; (4) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop*; and (5) successful completion of the appropriate New York State certification exams and edTPA, students will have fulfilled all the necessary requirements for certification as a school library media specialist in an elementary or secondary school in New York State. The School of Education, with approval from the School of Information Studies, will recommend a student for a New York State School Media Specialist initial certificate, preK-12, necessary for employment for New York State public schools and accepted for employment by most other states. Students from other states must verify the certification requirements of their own state.

*graduation requirement