Library Media Specialist Recruitment and Training

Many school districts in Kentucky do not have credentialed library media specialists to fill anticipated LMS vacancies within the next five years. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that most teachers attend library school part-time while working as full-time teachers. For this reason teachers seeking the library media certification require a minimum of three years to complete the MSLS degree and the P-12library media certificate. This proposal from Jefferson County Schools and the University of Kentucky School of Library and Information Science will alleviate some of the demands for qualified school media personnel for library media vacancies in the Jefferson County School District. This project can easily be expanded to other school districts in Kentucky and replicated throughout the United States. Six certified teachers employed by Jefferson County Schools will job share in three school media centers while completing the MSLS and school media certification at the University of Kentucky School of Library and Information Science. This project will filter university research through real world experience for stronger programs in both P- 12 and higher education.