Supervising+Librarian

=** Criteria for Practicum Sites and Supervising Library Media Specialist **= Practicum placement must be under the direct supervision and mentorship of a qualified and certified school library media specialist. Therefore,
 * The school library media specialist must hold a **master’s degree** in library science or a related discipline (for example, Education) **or have at least ten years experience** as a practicing library media specialist, and
 * The school library media specialist supervisor/mentor must have a **minimum of three years of experience** in a school library media center, at least one year of which is at the site for the practicum.

=** Responsibilities of the Supervising Librarian **=

1. Serve as a mentor and orient the student to the policies and procedures of the school and the policies and procedures of the library media center. 2. Assist in orienting the practicum student to the profession and suggest opportunities for participation in professional activities and for professional development. 3. Assist the student in developing a practicum plan as well as in making decisions about the elements of the Practicum Checklist that will be accomplished during the practicum. 4. Provide the student with any necessary materials such as school or district handbook, building diagrams, school schedule, faculty manual, and policies and procedures for the school and the library media center. 5. Provide the student with the opportunity to assume increasing responsibility for both administrative and instructional activities in the library media center. 6. Complete the evaluation checklist and return it to the practicum director. 7. Notify the practicum director if the practicum student is not making adequate progress, the practicum student fails to report to the assignment, or the practicum student is chronically late or absent. 8. Note: The supervising library media specialist is responsible for the health, safety, and general well-being of the students under her/his supervision.

The exercise of good judgment at all times is essential. If the supervising library media specialist leaves the practicum student in charge of the students, the supervising library media specialist may still be held responsible for the students. If any harm should come to any student through malice, negligence, or poor judgment on the part of the practicum student, it can be expected that both the practicum student and the mentoring library media specialist could be held responsible.

Legally, practicum students cannot be utilized as substitutes for the library media specialist even if they are not being paid. The school is responsible for securing a substitute library media specialist on days when the mentoring library media specialist is absent. The practicum experience is a supervised experience, which means that a certified supervising library media specialist must be available at all times.

MS Word Version of the Responsibilities of the Supervising Librarian