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SCHOOL LIBRARIAN SUMMIT IN SOUTH AFRICA ON 2-5 JUNE AT SAINTGEORGE’S HOTEL, PRETORIA.
TOPIC PRESENTED
THE CHANGING ROLE OF SCHOOLLIBRARIANS IN THE MIDST OF THEPREVAILING INFORMATION REVOLUTION.
MR.THABANI MTHOMBENINDLOVU
B.Sc.(Hons),Certified CiscoAssociate,IFLA
Designation
: C.E.O of Virtual SoftInternational (Pvt) Ltd-SA Branch.
 
Introduction
In modern times importance of library is well known library has proved as a powerhouse for information. The thirst for knowledge is increasing everyday at various levels and on varioussubjects .In the modern age recorded or communication knowledge is considered information. Ithas been growing at a very faster rate .In almost every fields of human activity to handleenormous amount of information library has to continuously search faster use more efficient andaccurate device or tools for processing it. Access rather than ownership has become virtually themotto of library and information centres. Libraries must be active not passive in emphasizing thedelivery of information rather than its storage. Libraries are now evaluated interms of what theyoffer than what they have. The need to transform the Library from a fortress into an information pipeline is growing and libraries must take a lead role in providing information otherwise its rolewill be usurped by other bodies like internet Cafes.School libraries as organizers of informationcannot afford to ignore computers or approach them in a piecemeal fashion to do places thelibrary at risk of becoming less valuable and less supportive of the school curriculum.The library media specialist is an essential link in a new educational learning community whichincludes students, teachers, administrators, and parents as well as local, regional, state, national,and international communities. The new learning community is not limited by time, place, age,occupation, or disciplinary borders but instead is linked by interests, needs, and a growing arrayof telecommunications technologies.
As a teacher,
the library media specialists works withstudents and other members of the learning community toanalyze learning and information needs, to locate and useresources that will meet those needs, and to understandand communicate the information the resource provides.The library media specialist is knowledgeable aboutcurrent research on teaching and learning and skilled inapplying its findings to a variety of situations - particularly those that call upon students to access,evaluate, and use information from multiple sources inorder to learn, to think, and to create and to applyknowledge. In short, the library media specialist teachesstudents to use information for critical thinking and problem solving using the
 Information LiteracyStandards for Student Learning 
set forth in
 Information Power 
, the national standards for school library media programs (ALA, 1998).
 
 
As an instructional partner
, the library mediaspecialist joins with teachers and others toidentify links with curricular content, learningoutcomes, student information needs, andinformation resources. Working with the entireschool community, the library media specialisttakes a leadership role in developing policies, practices, and curricula that guide students todevelop the full range of information literacyskills. The library media specialist worksclosely with individual teachers in the criticalarea of designing authentic learning tasks andassessments and integrating the informationand communication abilities required to meetsubject matter standards. 
As an information specialist
, the librarymedia specialist provides expertise in acquiring andevaluating information resources in all formats; in bringing an awareness of information issues to teachers,administrators, students, and others; and modeling for students and others strategies for locating, access, andevaluating information within and beyond the librarymedia center. Working in an environment that has been profoundly affected by technology, the library mediaspecialist both masters sophisticated electronic resourcesand maintains a constant focus on the nature, quality,and ethical uses of information available in these and inmore traditional tools. 
As a program administrator
, the librarymedia specialist guides and directs all theactivities related to the library media program.Confident of the importance of the effectiveuse of information to students' personal andeconomic success in their future lives, thelibrary media specialist is an advocate for thelibrary media program and provides theknowledge, vision, and leadership to steer itcreatively and energetically in the 21st century.Proficient in the management of staff, budgets,equipment, and facilities, the library mediaspecialist plans, executes, and evaluates the program to ensure its quality and relevance inthe learning community.
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