The Ideal Candidate for School Library Media Specialist: Views from School Administrators, Library School Faculty, and MLS Students

Abstract

Preferred characteristics in applicants for school library media specialist (SLMS) positions are studied in this article from three perspectives, that of the library school faculty, the library school student, and the school administrator. Surveys were sent to public high school administrators in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho; faculties of American Library Association (ALA)-accredited master of library science (MLS) programs; and students enrolled in ALA-accredited programs. Using a five-point scale, participants rated twenty-six qualities organized into five general groupings: education, experience, recommendations, involvement, and compatibilities. Faculty (n=27), students (n=142), and administrators (n=26) agreed that the most valued SLMS job candidate would have the ability to work well with others and possess excellent managerial and technical skills. Differences in the three groups' perspectives suggest a lack of common perception of the role of the SLMS among school administrators, MLS students, and library and information science faculty and a need to align visions with national guidelines for the role of school library media programs in the educational mission of the school. (Contains 1 table.)