Library Media Specialists

Your role as the school library media specialist is an especially important one. As the gatekeeper of the media, and the person who frequently has a budget for materials acquisition, the library media specialist is an especially important "media educator," even though you may not think of yourself in that way.

The duties and responsibilities of the library media specialist have evolved over time. Most changes involve the integration of technology into library media centers and ensuring the proper use of such technology by staff and students. The internet, a form of new media, serves as the largest repository of information in the world, and thus acts as the perfect segue between the skills of information literacy and media literacy.

If you're new to media literacy, take our introductory tour for teachers. The Media Awareness Network site provides excellent examples of the varying definitions of media literacy.

How does media literacy differ from information literacy?

Information (in this present context) typically refers to the resources students might find in a school library/media center: Internet, online databases, books, magazines, microfiche, encyclopedias, and other print resources. Information literacy is the set of skills and knowledge needed to be able to access these resources and assess their accuracy, reliability, credibility, etc.

Media literacy covers both print and non-print sources (television, radio, movies, etc.) and is a set of skills, knowledge and abilities surrounding these areas:

• Awareness of one's own media habits and usage
• Understanding of the structure of the media system in the U.S. (i.e., corporate media ownership, mergers, FCC, etc)
• Understanding of how media messages influence and persuade (i.e., advertising; the language of television and film; understanding subtexts of messages)
• The abilities to critically question/critically view media messages
• The ability to create and produce media messages in all media formats, both print and electronic, using visuals as well as text

What are the core concepts and key questions of media literacy education?

The core concepts of media literacy differ according to who developed them. I like the original eight Key Concepts developed by Canadian educators. In America, most educators refer to the five core concepts (consolidated from the original Canadian eight) espoused by the Center for Media Literacy, from which are derived what they call the five Key Questions to ask when evaluating a media text. The Center's excellent CML MediaLit Kit™ is a free download with excellent handouts and materials for learning and teaching the fundamental concepts, including the Core Concepts and Key Questions.

How can you locate media literacy in your state's teaching standards?

Media literacy consultant Frank Baker has built a matrix showing where all 50 state's curriculum standards incorporate media literacy education into standards for English/Language Arts, Social Studies or history, health education/life skills, or media studies curriculum. For California educators, here's a printer-friendly, two-sided document listing all the California state curriculum standards that incorporate teaching media literacy.

What have school library publications written about media literacy?

• Keeping Current : Media Literacy, School Library Media Activities Monthly, September 2004
• Media Madness, School Library Journal, August 2004
• "The Media and the Message- How Librarians Can Bring Them Into Focus," School Library Journal, January 1994, pp.24-28. (Not available online)
  Discusses the emerging interest in media education, or media literacy, and its impact on the role of the school library media specialist. Highlights include the school reform and restructuring movement; the impact of technology on literacy; the role in civic education and in health education; and media education support organizations.

Are there any recommended student books related to media & media literacy?

• The Media Literacy Clearinghouse offers a very good list of Recommended Books/Resources For Librarians and Media Specialists
• The Center for Media Literacy has a comprehensive catalog of excellent K-12 teaching resources

How about recommendations for professional development books related to media & media literacy?

• Check out the Professional Development page at the Center for Media Literacy. In addition to the linked articles there, use the Media Issues/Topics search box in the upper right corner to find books. Search on How to Teach Media Literacy; Research and Theory (Media Literacy); and Assessment & Evaluation.

Are there recommended student videos/DVDs related to media & media literacy?

• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a list of Recommended Videos & DVDs for Teaching Media Literacy grouped by topic/subject matter.
• Media Awareness Network offers their list of Recommended Videos for use in the classroom, as well as for teacher training, parent workshops and public meetings. Most would probably be appropriate for use in the U.S. -- you could contact Jane Tallim using the webpage link to inquire.

Are there magazines devoted to media literacy/media education?

• There is one American professional journal --Telemedium, The Journal of Media Literacy --published by the National Telemedia Council. It is well worth joining the NTC to get a subscription.
• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a huge listing of links to media-related magazines, grouped by these categories:
  • Advertising/Marketing/ Commercialism
  • News/Journalism/ Criticism/Publishing
  • Media Education
  • Educational Publications (with occasional articles on media & media literacy)
  • Media Arts/ Media Production
  • Television (General)
  • Film (General/Academic)

  • Media /Media Studies/Culture  (General/Academic) including Rhetoric/Communication Journal Links

  • Radio/Music/Sound
  • Visual Literacy/Photography

What are the best overall media education websites, and how can I most easily find information on them?

The advanced search function on this website allows you to search what we consider to be the top media literacy sites on the web. Just enter your search term(s) and you'll get results from the best on the web.

How can I locate a media education speaker for a workshop or conference?

That one's easy! Visit our Media Literacy Speakers Bureau™ here on this website.

Are there organizations and professional development opportunities to help me with my media literacy teaching?

Yes. Check  out our Community page, and review our Calendar of conferences & events.

Is there a media literacy list serve or discussion group I can join to network with others like me?

Yes, our Community page has that information.