Sound+Off!

Part of my analysis of the state of the library media profession in the 21st century included a look at the future of our library media training programs. Here are two responses and opinions of library media specialist veterans from Atlanta Public Schools:



Think on your various roles as teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, technologist, and program administrator. In terms of carrying out these roles with the 21st century learner, what is the one specific LMS role that you feel current LMS training programs need to emphasize/concentrate on?

“I feel that current LMS training programs need to emphasize the importance of LMS becoming innovative educators by providing and including technology as they collaborate with teachers and to help students become more self directed independent learners. I feel LMS should be trained to move away from the way they were taught and include with their strategies, tools and techniques to teach and support research, gathering and processing information, even for leisure reading. To address the needs of the 21st century learner, we as educators and as LMS need to be trained and armed with resources to connect our students to the world, as it continues to evolve, so they can learn effectively and be prepared to become functional and productive citizens.”

Sheila Howard



Think on your various roles as teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, technologist, and program administrator. In terms of carrying out these roles with the 21st century learner, what is the one specific LMS role that you feel current LMS training programs need to emphasize/concentrate on?

Back in the day Media specialists were trained as teacher librarians. They received training in a bachelor’s program then later earned a master’s degree in library media graduate school. Teacher librarians received a balanced training program. Training programs emphasized media program administration, the school curriculum, methodology, literature, and AV education (now technology integration). This was and still is important because the role of the media specialist is to train teachers and students as well as support the curriculum. I feel that today’s programs train media specialists as generalists and not as specialists. Media specialists are not grounded in anything. An add-on program with a certain number of hours in a master’s program does not prepare a media specialist for her role. Many media specialists today are entering their careers not knowing what to expect. A full and balanced program similar to what teachers receive should be the norm and expectation. An undergraduate program coupled with a full master’s training program will prepare the media specialists for all of her roles especially in technology and 21st century skills. Once this type of training occurs then the media specialist role as a 21st Century trainer will be guaranteed. Priscilla M. GipsonWhen wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you... Proverbs 2: 10, 11

Priscilla Gipson Learning Technology Specialist / Former Library Media Specialist, APS