The perceptions of the role of the library media program and the library media specialist in selected National Blue Ribbon Schools in Florida

The study investigated perceptions of principals and library media specialists of the role of library media programs and library media specialists as recommended by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association of Educational Communications and Technology in Information Power: Building Partners for Learning (1998). The study provided a description analysis of library media programs and library media specialists in 67 public, private, and parochial schools named as 1990–1998 National Blue Ribbon Schools in Florida.; The researcher designed a survey instrument, Library Media Programs : A Survey of Blue Ribbon Schools in Florida, with 64 questions to validate the roles of the library media program and library media specialist in program administration, information access and delivery, and learning and teaching. The researcher visited nine of the program sites, conducted interviews, and profiled each library media program using written detailed descriptions. Blue Ribbon applications added additional descriptions of library media programs for the study.; The most important finding noted was the overall favorable perceptions of principals and library media specialists in their schools. Based on the reported perceptions they affirm the philosophy and operations guidelines for school library media programs as described in Information Power : Building Partnerships for Learning. Principals and library media specialists affirm the roles and functions of library media specialists as described in the national guidelines.; Based on the perceptions it is not possible to confirm specifically how school library media programs have positively influenced the elements that are required for a school to become a National Blue Ribbon School. However, with such overall positive affirmations of roles and functions, it may be concluded school library media programs are important in these schools.; Educators of library media specialists need to provide instruction in learning theories, teaching strategies, and instructional design to enhance the role of library media specialists in teaching. A similar study should be conducted with National Blue Ribbon Schools to determine the extent to which the library media program and library media specialists have contributed to helping the school meet the criteria for being selected as a National Blue Ribbon School.