Act 1786 of 2003 describes the library media specialist’s job to be divided into three important parts: information specialist, instructional consultant, and teacher of information and technology skills. The law outlines the duties under each of these areas.
Act 1786 requires that not less than one-third (1/3) of the elementary library media specialist’s time be used for information specialist duties. In addition, a school must allow time for administrative tasks such as ordering of books and materials, processing items for usage, financial planning and accountability, organizing, directing and evaluating the library media program and other management duties. One-third (1/3) of the time is equal to two (2) hours based on the average required six (6) hours per day of instruction. This time must be in a block during the student instructional day. Time between classes and/or before or after school is not allowed to count toward fulfilling this requirement.
Library media specialists should be on duty in the library media center. Library media specialists should be in the library before and after school as well as during the lunch hour to provide services to students and teachers as needed. Duties may not be assigned outside the library media center.
Act 1786 also requires that library media centers have a “Selection Policy” establishing guidelines for the selection, removal, and retention of materials and a “Challenged Material Policy” for addressing the process in the event of a challenge to materials in the school. It is important that the policies are approved by the local district school board.
Act 462 of 2003 provides that a school district shall provide a minimum of two hundred (200) minutes each week for each teacher to schedule time for conferences, instructional planning and preparation for all classroom teachers employed by the district. The planning time should be in increments of no less than forty (40) minutes. Please note that librarians are certified as classroom teachers and therefore the school should take this into consideration in determining compliance with Act 462 of 2003.