Date of Award
3-1-1987
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Education Specialist
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
Dr. Joan Horn
Keywords
beginning media specialists, guides, handbook development, interviews, library administration, library media services, library personnel, library policies and procedures, library services, librarians, media specialist orientation, orientation materials, professional orientation, school libraries, staff orientation, supervisor of library media services, surveys
Abstract
After a survey of media specialists in a rapidly growing school district and Interviews with 10 library media supervisors in other school districts. It was determined that an Information handbook would improve the professional orientation of beginning media specialists by increasing their understanding of district policies and procedures. Policies and procedures were excerpted from two district policy books, and guidelines were taken from standard works on library administration. The format and organization of the handbook was designed to allow for easy revision. Library Media services Information Handbook was presented to the target group of beginning media specialists during individual orientation sessions held at their schools. The face-to-face orientation session allowed the beginning media specialists to ask questions and give feedback. At the end of the orientation session, the beginning media specialists evaluated the handbook and the orientation session with a checklist to estimate their improved understanding of library media policies and procedures. The Supervisor of Library Media Services gave input and approval to the development of the handbook and also evaluated it with a checklist. The results indicated that a handbook and orientation session improved beginning media specialists’ understanding of policies and procedures.