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For Library Media Specialists

Your role as the school library media specialist is an especially important one. As the gatekeeper of the media, and the person who frequently has a budget for materials acquisition, the library media specialist is an especially important "media educator," even though you may not think of yourself in that way.

The duties and responsibilities of the library media specialist have evolved over time. Most changes involve the integration of technology into library media centers and ensuring the proper use of such technology by staff and students. The internet, a form of new media, serves as the largest repository of information in the world, and thus acts as the perfect segue between the skills of information literacy and media literacy.

If you're new to media literacy, the Media Awareness Network site provides excellent examples of the varying definitions of media literacy.

How does media literacy differ from information literacy?

Information (in this present context) typically refers to the resources students might find in a school library/media center: Internet, online databases, books, magazines, microfiche, encyclopedias, and other print resources. Information literacy is the set of skills and knowledge needed to be able to access these resources and assess their accuracy, reliability, credibility, etc.

Media literacy covers both print and non-print sources (television, radio, movies, etc.) and is a set of skills, knowledge and abilities surrounding these areas:

• Awareness of one's own media habits and usage
• Understanding of the structure of the media system in the U.S. (i.e., corporate media ownership, mergers, FCC, etc)
• Understanding of how media messages influence and persuade (i.e., advertising; the language of television and film; understanding subtexts of messages)
• The abilities to critically question/critically view media messages
• The ability to create and produce media messages in all media formats, both print and electronic, using visuals as well as text

What are the core concepts and key questions of media literacy education?

The core concepts of media literacy differ according to who developed them. I like the original eight Key Concepts developed by Canadian educators. In America, the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) has developed its Core Principles of Media Literacy Education (links to 1-page PDF summary, full 8-page document here), and Core Principles Key Questions.

How can you locate media literacy in your state's teaching standards?

Media educator Frank Baker has built a matrix showing where all 50 states have at least one reference to media studies in the ELA curriculum. Ready-to-use summaries for California, Missouri and Michigan (locations of previous NAMLE conferences) are here as printer-friendly PDFs: California state curriculum standards that incorporate teaching media literacy; Missouri Grade Level Expectations incorporating media literacy skills; and standards for Michigan K-8 Social Studies, Michigan High School Social Studies, Michigan K-8 English/Language Arts, Michigan High School English/Language Arts, and Michigan K-8 Health.

What have school library publications written about media literacy?

• Keeping Current : Media Literacy, School Library Media Activities Monthly, September 2004
• Media Madness, School Library Journal, August 2004
• "The Media and the Message- How Librarians Can Bring Them Into Focus," School Library Journal, January 1994, pp.24-28. (Not available online)
  Discusses the emerging interest in media education, or media literacy, and its impact on the role of the school library media specialist. Highlights include the school reform and restructuring movement; the impact of technology on literacy; the role in civic education and in health education; and media education support organizations.

Are there any recommended student books, DVDs or other materials related to media & media literacy?

Yes, many. For the best books and teaching materials selected and reviewed by members of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, visit TeachMediaLiteracy.org and use the pull-down menus at the top of the page to select a grade level and Topic or Curriculum area, then hit the GO button.

TeachMediaLiteracy.org also has many resources for professional development.

Are there magazines devoted to media literacy/media education?

• NAMLE sponsors an online peer-reviewed academic journal, The Journal of Media Literacy Education.
• There is one American magazine-style journal -- The Journal of Media Literacy --published by the National Telemedia Council. It is well worth joining the NTC to get a subscription.
• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a huge listing of links to media-related magazines, grouped by these categories:
  • Advertising/Marketing/ Commercialism
  • News/Journalism/ Criticism/Publishing
  • Media Education
  • Educational Publications (with occasional articles on media & media literacy)
  • Media Arts/ Media Production
  • Television (General)
  • Film (General/Academic)

  • Media /Media Studies/Culture  (General/Academic) including Rhetoric/Communication Journal Links

  • Radio/Music/Sound
  • Visual Literacy/Photography

What are the best overall media education websites, and how can I most easily find information on them?

Use the search box in the upper left corner of this page to search what we consider to be the top media literacy sites on the web. Just enter your search term(s) and you'll get results from the best on the web.

Are there organizations and professional development opportunities to help me with my media literacy teaching?

Yes. Check  out our Community page, and review our Calendar of conferences & events.

Is there a media literacy list serve or discussion group I can join to network with others like me?

Yes, our Community page has that information.