Welcome School Librarians!

___After teaching both 4th & 5th grade for nine years, I left the self-contained elementary classroom in June 2006 to accept the position as the Beebe Elementary Learning Resource Center (LRC) Director. While part of me wrestled with the change in position and focus, I’ve embraced my new role and I truly love what I do!
___Currently I am beginning my second year in Aurora University’s Educational Doctorate of Curriculum & Instruction program. My focus is on iPods in education. In conjunction with this focus, I co-wrote and was approved for a local grant, iPodject, promoting iPods in our elementary school.
___I began taking courses for my LIS endorsement back in 2005, but decided that now was the time to pursue my doctorate. I’ve elected to integrate some of my endorsement classes into my doctoral electives, but I will most likely conclude that certification after I achieve my “Ed. D”.
___Like many school librarians across our fine state, I am not yet ALA accredited, but I do know quite a bit of practical knowledge and application in my field. I hope you enjoy and utilize the resources and experiences I’ve made available on my School Librarian page.

Josh Mika

LMC vs. LRC

___The difference is in the degree. The ALA Policy Manual states, repeated in Information Power (1998), “School library media program staff include at least one full-time library media specialist who holds a ‘masters degree in librarianship from a program accredited by the American Library Association or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for accreditation of Teacher Education’” (AASL & AECT, 1998, p. 103).
___So if you’re interested in running a Library Media Center (LMC) in Illinois, you need a Library Information Specialist (LIS) endorsement or certification. ALA has a list of accredited schools their web site. ISBE has given the following criteria, a matrix from 2002, and a study guide to qualify and pass certification under the Part 27: Supplement for Certification in Specific Teaching Fields.
___In early 2007, the ALA was lobbying congress to include this in the next reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. Even without state or federal mandate, school districts are raising the bar and holding their school librarians accountable to the ALA’s standards. Check for more updates on ISLMA!

Updated July 20, 2007

The Other Half of Our Job...

___The school librarian’s role in schools has changed. No longer does our job rely on the resources we contain within our four walls. While I believe this is a good thing, we need to consider the other half of our job. Use the resources below to help you teach the four literacies defined on my home page under the “literacies” tab.

The Fun Part!

___In the ALA published book, Information Power, the authors describe the librarian as a “primary leader in the school’s use of all kinds of technologies” as well as his/her knowledge about how to use these technologies to structure and present information. (AASL and AECT, 1998, p. 54)
“The library media specialist draws upon that unique expertise to play a leading role in collaborating with the learning community to plan, design, implement, and continually refine an effective, student-centered technology plan. Such a plan focuses on helping students and others become independent, lifelong learners who use information and information technology profitably, responsibly, and ethically.” (AASL and AECT, 1998, p. 55)

Where can I find good literature?

___It would be short sighted of me to say that the tangible, printed book will never disappear when we live in an age where you can get ebooks on your phone and tablet computer technology has replaced the pencil and paper. At the same time, however, I do not foresee this anytime soon.
___Who likes staring at a computer screen all day? Can you find an electrical outlet while you’re relaxing on the beach? Batteries only last so long and the machines that use them get pretty hot! As you’ve probably guessed, for me there’s nothing like a book in my hand.

Two Great Booksellers

	Anderson's Book Sellers	This amazing local book store discovers great literature, regularly brings in famous authors, and has an accompanying book fair company available to the Chicagoland area.
	Follett	If I had to mention one other leader in school librarian ordering, diagnosis of collection, and innovation, it would have to be Follett!

The New Web

___Web 2.0 has been the buzzword for the past few years, redefining how users interact and publish via the Internet. For educators this offers a variety of interactive learning opportunities for your classrooms…if your district and/or school don’t block them.
___ In my pursuit of Web 2.0 applications for Beebe’s LRC Online, I have redesigned the Web site to incorporate some of these tools. Thanks to the guidance of David Jakes and Linda O’Connor, our student population will be more educated in the use, ethics, and application of these interactive Web technologies.

*Think you’re on top of it? Innovators have been discussing what Web 3.0 might look like since 2006!

So Many Resources

___There are just too many resources to list in this meager space, however, I have listed those who rise to the top. I hope to add and revise this continually, but look for more practical connections in my “Lesson Links” article at the bottom of the page.