Library Information Services ...Helping students become Independent, Information - literate, Lifelong Learners! Department Staff

Spring Branch Independent School District Dr. Barry M. Bishop 9016 Westview Houston, TX, 713-365-5616

General Provisions

 Because the school librarian plays a critical role in campus effectiveness and student achievement, the State Board for Educator Certification adopts the following requirements for the school librarian certificate.

Admissions requirements to a School Librarian Program
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning; and
 - Fulfill  requirements for admission to an educator preparation program under Chapter 227 of this title 

Preparation Requirements

 Training must include actual library experiences with diverse types of students, grade levels, and campuses.
Experience and/or  professional training may be substituted for preparation coursework or other program requirements.

Standards for School Librarian Certificate

 Standard I.   Learner-Centered Teaching and Learning:
 The certified school librarian plays a vital role in enabling students to become lifelong learners.  The school librarian should be directly involved in planning and promoting:
 (1) curriculum development at both the campus and district levels;
 (2) a shared campus vision that focuses on reading, teaching, and learning;
 (3) collaborative planning, cooperative teaching, and direct instruction as determined by learners' needs
      and state curriculum standards;
 (4 ethical use of information resources;
 (5) independent learning;
 (6) diverse learning needs of the student population;
 (7 staff development for the learning community and students   (integration of information technology,      information literacy, and literature appreciation);
 (8) variety of fiction and nonfiction resources for personal and informational needs;
 (9) national, state, and local reading initiatives;
 (10) library access through open, flexible scheduling.

Standard II.   Learner-Centered Library Program Leadership and Management: and

The certified school librarian should:
 (1)  develop and maintain an exemplary library program;
 (2) design policies and procedures that comply with local, state, and federal laws policies
 (3) establish partnerships within the learning community; 
(5) demonstrate effective leadership strategies while working within campus and district administrative  structures to promote achievement of library program goals; 
(6) display effective interpersonal communication skills;
(7)  display effective management techniques for budgeting,  purchasing, scheduling,facilities and resources, supervising adults and children; reporting; grant writing; circulation and inventory; 
(8) collaborate with faculty  in evaluating and selecting library resources curriculum; 
(9) Monitor emerging technologies for acceptable use policy and management applications; 
(10) use effective management techniques to attain district and campus goals library

  Standard III. -- Learner-Centered Technology and Information Access:

 The certified school librarian facilitates the use and integration of technology, telecommunications, and information systems to enrich the curriculum and enhance learning.

  The certified school librarian must be able to:

  (1) provide and continuously monitor quality library resources that are sufficient to meet students' needs;

  (2) model and promote the highest standard of conduct, ethics, and integrity in the use of the Internet and other print and electronic resources;

  (3) Promote use of technology in instruction;

 (4) promote interlibrary loan policy to facilitate information access beyond the campus;

  (5) model information problem-solving processes in providing instruction about reference and research   techniques; and

  (6) participate in state and national technology initiatives.

  Standard IV. -- Learner-Centered Library Environment

 The certified school librarian should:

 (1) understand effective, functional  library design

 (2) In compliance with national and state standards, develop  a library facility that is functional, barrier-free, and safe;

  Standard V. -- Learner-Centered Connections to the Community: 

 The school librarian should collaborate with the  learning community  by

 (1) promoting diversity in the learning community;

  (2) exhibiting effective communications and  positive relations;

  (3) establishing partnerships with businesses, learning institutions, global communities, and other libraries

  (4) Involving community and families in LMC beyond school hours;

  (g) Standard VI. Learner-Centered Information Science and Librarianship

The certified school librarian must be learner centered and professionally competent:

  (1) Support an integrated learning environment;

  (2) Stress the school library media program as a central element;

  (3) Display competence in technical and public skills.

  (4) Support technology in the library

  (5) communicate and work effectively with patrons and peers;  

  (6) understand and model principles of intellectual freedom, information access, privacy, and proprietary rights;

   (7) develop independent readers;

  (8) Seek professional growth;

  (9) demonstrate ethical behavior in all professional contexts; 

 Requirements for Issuance of  the Standard Library Certificate

 To be eligible to receive the standard school librarian certificate under this subchapter, the individual must:

  (1) successfully complete a school librarian preparation program that meets the requirements of §239.50 of this title (relating to Preparation Requirements) and

 §239.55 of this title (relating to Standards for the School Librarian Certificate) of this subchapter;

  (2) successfully complete the assessments required under this title; and

  (3) hold a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education;

  (4) have two school years of classroom teaching experience from a public or accredited private school.

Requirements to Renew Standard Library Certificate

  (a) Each individual issued a standard librarian certificate from September 1, 1999, to August 31, 2000, is subject to Chapter 232, Subchapter R of this title (relating to Certificate Renewal and Continuing Professional Education Requirements, including those for holders of a standard learning resources specialist certificate), except that only 150 hours of continuing professional education must be completed during the first five-year renewal period. During subsequent renewal periods, the holder of such an active standard librarian certificate must satisfy the most current requirements for renewal.

  (b) Each individual issued a standard school librarian certificate on or after September 1, 2000, is subject to Chapter 232, Subchapter R of this title (relating to Certificate Renewal and Continuing Professional Education Requirements).

  (c) An individual who holds a valid Texas school librarian certificate or endorsement issued prior to September 1, 1999, may voluntarily comply with the requirements of this section under procedures adopted by the executive director under §232.810 of this title (relating to Voluntary Renewal of Current Texas Educators). 

Transition and Implementation Dates

(a) Section 239.60 of this title (relating to Requirements for Issuance of the Standard School Librarian Certificate), shall be implemented and shall supersede all conflicting provisions in this title on September 1, 2002. All other sections of this subchapter shall take effect pursuant to Texas Government Code, § 2001.036, relating to Effective Date of Rules.

 (b) The following provisions of this title shall expire on September 1, 2002:

  (1) Chapter 230, Subchapter G, §230.199(d)(2) of this title (relating to Endorsements); and

 (2) Chapter 230, Subchapter J, §230.311(a)-(d) of this title (relating to Learning Resources Specialist).

  (c) Not later than September 1, 2002, the following provisions of this title shall no longer apply to the school librarian certificate:

  (1) Chapter 230, Subchapter O, §230.462(b)(2) of this title (relating to Requirements for Texas Certificates Based on Certification from Other States or Territories of the United States) as it existed on May 5, 2000;

 (2) Chapter 245, §245.5(a)(2) of this title (relating to Requirements for Texas Certificates Based on Certification from Another Country) as it existed on May 5, 2000; and

  (3) the "teaching practicum" requirement of Chapter 245, §245.10(a)(2)(B) of this title (relating to Application Procedures (for Texas certificates based on certification from another country)) as it existed on May 5, 2000.