Introduction to Portfolio The conceptual map in this portfolio demonstrates the many leadership roles of the library media

specialist and the library program in todays schools. This graphic organizer further conveys the interconnectedness of the roles of the LMS and how integral the LMS is to the success of the schools staff and students. Gone are the days during which the school librarian simply checked out books for students and shushed their patrons. Today, the library is an interactive environment in which patrons and the LMS collaborate to locate, evaluate, and create sources of information and literacy in multimedia formats. Today, the library program even extends beyond its physical environment to reach patrons through online sources and creates access to all by overcoming any barriers that todays society may bring on the educational field. The LMS is now a teacher, an instructional partner, an information specialist, and a program administrator. The work that I have completed throughout the Towson University School Library Program aligns directly with the American Association of School Librarians standards for LMS training and demonstrates that I have mastered these standards and therefore am equipped to effectively execute the leadership roles expected of a school LMS. As a teacher, the LMS is responsible for teaching literacy and 21st century skills to the school staff and students within their library program and beyond. Another main goal of the LMS should be to create a love for reading and inquiry throughout the school. The artifacts that I have created and included in my portfolio emphasize building 21st century skills, informational literacy skills through inquiry and student based learning, and are differentiated instruction to provide access to all students. These lessons and activities engage students since they are rigorous and motivating and help them to gain critical thinking skills. The lessons that the LMS teaches in the media center and throughout the school help students to apply research and technology skills to all aspects of their school and personal learning. Also, included are activities that convey my love of reading and promote this passion so that it is contagious to others. The role of the LMS as a teacher closely correlates with their role as an instructional partner. It is crucial that the staff and students are comfortable with the LMS and see them as a welcoming person that evokes collaboration for the purpose of meeting the schools goals. Related to the instructional partner role, my portfolio artifacts include additions to School

Improvement Plans that assert areas in which the LMS can support the goals of the school. Developing a library vision and mission statement that aligns with that of the school, professional development programs, and lessons that include collaboration among the LMS, the teachers, and the students are also evident in my portfolio. In order to accomplish this goal, the LMS must also be knowledgeable of the other content areas curricula and how to best support their needs. I have also included advocacy artifacts that promote this collaboration by advertising how the LMS can be a supportive instructional partner and can expand other teachers and students knowledge so they are up to date with the 21st century skills that they need to be successful in our world. Considering that the vast amount of print and nonprint information that is available today is measured in exabytes, another essential role of the LMS is that of lead informational specialist in the school. The LMS must be knowledgeable of how to effectively locate/access, evaluate, and incorporate this multitude of information and must be able to teach students, teachers, and administrators how to do the same. My portfolio contains examples of these skills through such artifacts as my information literacy process models PowerPoint, digital database presentations, 6th grade research project lesson plans, online research models, slam dunks, instructional design project, and research proposal. I also created various wikis, brochures, videos, and websites that guide teachers and students through the processes that lead to informational literacy. Finally, the LMS must be an effective program administrator in order for the library program to be successful. During this graduate program, I developed a floor plan for a library to demonstrate my ability to create a welcoming and efficient facility, ordered beneficial materials for the library through Titlewave using a given budget, created advocacy pieces to promote the library program, established a vision and mission for the library, conducted field studies during which I learned from current LMS and examined effective library facilities, and modeled professional ethics by creating lessons that involved citing sources and avoiding such unethical procedures as cyber bullying. Creating this portfolio was a beneficial way for me to reflect on how meaningful my assignments throughout the library cohort have been in helping me to develop the essential leadership skills of a school library media specialist. I feel that my artifacts demonstrate my

success is developing the skills to be an effective teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator. Therefore, I am very equipped to execute these roles of a library media specialist and would be an asset to the students and staff of any school when they hire me as their LMS.