Sec. 13a.12.03.03. Library Media Specialist

A. Definitions.

(1) In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(2) Terms Defined.

(a) "Library media specialist" means an individual who has developed knowledge, understanding of, and competency in the broad range of library media services, with particular emphasis on those competencies related to the development and administration of a comprehensive school library media program.

(b) "Library media" means a variety of communication and information formats and their accompanying technologies appropriate to learning and instruction.

B. Education and Experience.

(1) The applicant for certification as library media specialist shall meet the requirements of one of the two certification options provided in this section.

(2) Option I. The applicant shall have a master's degree from a program at an IHE that would lead to State certification as a library media specialist or a comparable position as determined by the State Department of Education.

(3) Option II.

(a) The applicant shall have a bachelor's or higher degree from an IHE, satisfactory experience as set forth in §B(3)(e) of this regulation, and satisfactorily completed a program of 36 semester hours of post-baccalaureate or graduate credits with 15 semester hours completed at one institution. A minimum of 24 semester hours of the post-baccalaureate credits shall be met by graduate credits in the content course work listed in §B(3)(c) of this regulation. The professional education course work listed in §B(3)(b) of this regulation may be met by course credits earned in addition to, or as part of, the undergraduate degree program.

(b) Professional education course work for certification as a library media specialist shall include:

(i) History and philosophy of education;

(ii) Student developmental levels, learning theory, and strategies for identifying student information and learning needs;

(iii) Theory, principles, and methods of instructional design and delivery; and

(iv) Inclusion of special needs student populations.

(c) Content course work for certification as a library media specialist shall include:

(i) Administration of library media programs, including an understanding of State and national library media standards and technology standards;

(ii) Materials for children in all formats, including concepts related to the teaching and learning of reading;

(iii) Materials for young adults in all formats, including concepts related to the teaching and learning of reading;

(iv) Selection, evaluation, and use of materials in all formats to meet student curriculum and instructional needs;

(v) Access and delivery of information, including reference and bibliographic systems in all formats;

(vi) Organization of knowledge, including cataloging and classification, and information retrieval in all formats;

(vii) Principles of communication, including dissemination and use of information in all formats; and

(viii) The design, creation, and implementation of library media in all formats for instructional use.

(d) The total number of post-baccalaureate credits needed for certification will not be reduced for course requirements that are met in the applicant's bachelor's degree program. Additional post-baccalaureate or graduate courses may be substituted if some of the course work described in §B(3)(b) of this regulation has been acquired as a part of the undergraduate degree program.

(e) An applicant shall satisfactorily complete a school library media practicum, 1 year of full-time teaching experience, or 1 year of full-time school library media-related experience.

C. Certificate Renewal. In addition to meeting the requirements of COMAR 13A.12.01.11B, a library media specialist or a holder of a valid certificate for an educational media associate (Level I), education media generalist (Level II), or an educational media specialist in a specific area (Level II) shall satisfy the required reading course work contained in COMAR 13A.12.01.11A(5)(b) to renew the certificate.