Department website: https://www.atu.edu/tel

Program Overview

In an era where media is abundant and technology is ever-evolving, school librarians play a crucial role in guiding learners through the information age. The Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology Library Media Specialist K-12 is designed for educators who already hold an education-based master's degree and seek to enhance their expertise in school librarianship.

This 21-hour, fully online certificate program provides the flexibility needed for busy educators, allowing you to balance your studies with your current teaching responsibilities. Grounded in the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards, the program emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and essential technology skills necessary to implement an effective school library media program that serves diverse learning communities. 

This program is an approved pathway for the Arkansas Library Media Specialist licensure endorsement. Out-of-state candidates are welcome to enter and complete the program for a graduate certificate; however, it is your responsibility to check with your state’s Department of Education to determine if the license or endorsement requirements are met through this program of study.  

Hands-On Experience

The program offers ample opportunities to gain practical experience in school libraries, including:

• Interviews with School Librarians: Connect with experienced professionals to gain insights into best practices and the daily realities of school librarianship.
• Teaching in the School Library: Participate in teaching opportunities that allow you to apply your skills in real-world settings, fostering an interactive learning environment.
• Creating Artifacts: Develop a portfolio of professional artifacts, including:
  • Readers' advisory graphics
  • Professional learning session materials
  • Engaging book talks and displays
  • Evidence-based collection development
  • Leadership SMART growth plan

These hands-on projects not only enhance your learning experience but also prepare you to create impactful resources for your future library media program.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of this certificate program will be well-equipped as dynamic school librarians, capable of fostering a love of reading, enhancing digital literacy, and promoting equitable access to information within their school communities.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EDMD 6233	Administration of Media Programs	3
EDMD 6433	Practicum in Educational Media	3
LBMD 6003	Collection Development and Management	3
LBMD 6023	Classification and Cataloging	3
LBMD 6033	The Instructional Role of the Library Media Specialist	3
LBMD 6403	Literature for Children and Young Adults	3
LBMD 6503	School Librarian: Leadership and Collaboration	3
Total Hours		21

Students who complete the program will be able to:

• Cultivate the educational and personal development of all members of a learning community, including those with diverse intellectual abilities, learning modalities, and physical variabilities.

• Demonstrate knowledge of children’s and young adult literature, evaluation criteria, and selection tools to develop, curate, organize, and manage a print and digital collection designed to meet the diverse curricular and personal needs of the learning community.

• Collaborate with members of the learning community to design developmentally and culturally responsive resource-based learning experiences that support content-based instruction, use multiple methods of assessment, and promote critical thinking and the inquiry process. 

• Design and deliver instruction, including professional learning, digital citizenship, and multiple literacies that integrate the AASL National School Library Standards, considering learner development, diversity, and differences. 

• Articulate and model the ethical practices of librarianship, as expressed in the foundational documents of the library profession, including the American Library Association Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights.

For program assessment visit: https://www.atu.edu/assessment/program_assessment.php