The mission of the Library Media Program at Valley High School is to empower students and staff to be effective users of information and to be able to appreciate and enjoy literature and other creative expressions of ideas.

Philosophy

We believe

• that independent, life-long learning is the ultimate goal of schools in our society, and that the library media program is vital to creating independent learners
  
• that promoting reading for enjoyment and information is a key element of the library media program
  
• that all children have the right to equal access to literature, information and information technologies
  
• that educational goals are best achieved through the collaboration of an instructional team which includes a library media specialist
  
• that the library media specialist is an instructional leader in the building with expertise in literature, resources and technology
  
• that the Information Literacy Curriculum must be integrated with other curricular areas
  
• that a well-organized, centralized collection of materials in many formats is essential to resource-based instruction
  

Role of the Librarian

Learning and Teaching

• Location, use, evaluation and communication of information
  
• Use of technology
  
• Study and appreciation of literature
  
• Nurturing of readers
  
• Critical reading, listening and viewing skills
  
• Planning with teachers
  
• Curriculum development
  
• Professional development

Information Access & Delivery

• Securing and organizing resources
  
• Helping staff and students locate and use resources
  
• Technology planning
  
• Reader guidance and book selection
  
• Providing a positive climate
  
• Communicating with staff, administrators, parents

Administration of the Library Media Center

• Collection development and maintenance
  
• Training and supervision of library staff, student aides and volunteers
  
• Maintaining and scheduling the facility during school hours
  
• Budgeting
  
• Securing funds for materials
  
• Developing management systems, procedures and polices
  
• Maintaining instructional equipment
  

Collaborative Planning

Collaborative planning is a concept that involves the entire school in a cooperative, integrated process. This is achieved by effectively integrating library activities and resources with classroom learning experiences.

Research and best practices today indicate that integration of information literacy skills, collaboration with classroom teachers, and flexible scheduling in the library program are critical components in the effective delivery of the information literacy curriculum. Collaboration and the integration of information problem solving skills is most productive when flexible scheduling is in place and when time is provided for teachers and the librarian to mutually plan.

The teacher brings to the planning process a knowledge of subject content and student needs. The librarian contributes a broad knowledge of resources and technology, and is responsible for developing a collection of resources and services appropriate to meet the needs of the students. Together they share an understanding of teaching methods and a wide range of strategies. When this process of collaborative planning is employed, information literacy skills--accessing, evaluating and communicating information -- can be effectively integrated into the classroom curriculum, and the classroom content can serve as a vehicle for the instruction of the information problem solving process.