This site created by
Linda M. Piscione.
LMPiscione@aol.com

Who wants to be a
Media Specialist
in the 21st Century?

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Becoming a Media Specialist
The requirements for certification in New Jersey include:

The School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Rutgers University offers an approved program consisting of eleven required courses and one elective.
a standard teaching certificate
a Masters Degree in Library Science from a college accredited by the American Library Association (ALA)
Because of the shortage of certified media specialists, the state may grant emergency certification to teachers working as librarians while enrolled in an approved MLS program. Faculty in the Library and Information Science Department of SCILS are some of the top researchers in the field. One of the leaders in school library research is Carol C. Kuhlthau.
Networking & Continuing Education
Professional organizations you should join:
American Association of School Librarians (AASL) -- division of ALA
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) -- division of ALA
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) -- division of ALA
Educational Media Association of NJ (EMAnj)
Periodicals you should subscribe to (most available online):
School Library Journal Booklist
School Library Media Research The Horn Book
Teacher Librarian Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia
Voice of Youth Advocates
Join a discussion group: LM_NET on the World Wide Web