Overview
The M.S. in School Librarianship program seeks to educate candidates who are outstanding teachers, instructional leaders and administrators of quality school libraries. As enthusiastic readers and technology users, SLM candidates model lifelong learning for their school communities.
The comprehensive program offers courses in literature for children and young adults, technology, information literacy skills, selecting quality materials that meet the needs of diverse learners, administrating a school library which provides access for all, and a significant practicum experience.
Candidates endorse the mission statement found in the 2009 American Association of School Librarians' Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs which states: “The mission of the school library media center is to ensure that staff and students are effective users of ideas and information. The school librarian empowers students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.”
Program Features
• AASL/NCATE nationally accredited and recognized program.
• Meets certification requirements of Maryland State Department of Education as a Library Media Specialist and is recognized by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education.
• Field assignments provide opportunities to apply theory in real-world settings.
• Fosters close working relationships with knowledgeable faculty.
• Empowers candidates to become lifelong learners and reflective practitioners.
Why McDaniel
• Offers convenient schedules to fit your busy schedule including online offerings and evening face-to-face.
• Accreditations ensure that the degree you earn is highly recognized and the content you receive aligns with rigorous standards.
• Balances full-time faculty with adjunct instructors who draw course content from best practices in the field.
• Small class size and individual attention promotes high levels of interaction between faculty and students and networking with peers and professionals.
• Highly competitive tuition.
Admissions Requirements
Initial Admission
• Completed application for graduate study
• Submit the non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts verifying completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Three letters of recommendation, advisor approved
• Acceptable test scores on Praxis I
• Copy of initial teaching certificate**
*Students not meeting this criterion may be admitted to the program on a conditional basis. Matriculation status will be reviewed upon completion of the three courses required for matriculation.
**Candidates not holding teaching certification must take a minimum of 12 hours in education at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Full Acceptance
• Meet all admission requirements.
• Complete first three courses in this order: SLM 503, SLM 509, and SLM 506 with a 3.0 GPA or better.
• Complete the matriculation self-assessment checklist and submit it to the SLM program coordinator.
Degree Requirements
• 37 semester hours
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Professional digital portfolio
• 110-hour internship in a school library
Courses
| SLM 501 | School Library Administration
This course explores the role of school librarians as stated in the AASL standards. Topics examine the roles of leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and proram administrator. Candidates complete a leadership analysis, a professional development plan, and a collaborative wiki on library policies and procedures. They create a school library wiki, reflect on their professional dispositions, and discuss course topics with a practicing shcool librarian. | 3 Credits |
| SLM 502 | Organization and Access
This course presents information on cataloging and classifying materials for access in a school library. Topics include descriptive cataloging, application of AACR2 rules, Dewey Decimal Classification, MARC21 records, FRBR model, Library of Congress and Sears subject headings, and online catalogs & processing sources. Candidates explore, discuss and practice cataloging. | 3 Credits |
| SLM 503 | Literature for Children
This course presents new and outstanding titles in literature for children in grades kindergarten through sixth. Topics include authors and illustrators, fiction and nonfiction, literature in other media formats, principles of selection, using literature in the classroom, and reading for pleasure and life-long learning. Candidates read books, discuss them in class, identify strategies for encouraging students to read, and create an annotated bibliography of books appropriate for elementary school students. | 3 Credits |
| SLM 504 | Literature for Young Adults
This course presents new and outstanding titles in literature for young adults in grades sixth through twelfth. Topics include authors, fiction and nonfiction, literature and other media formats, principles of selection, using literature in the classroom, and reading for pleasure and lifelong learning. Candidates read books, discuss them in class, identify strategies for encouraging students to read, create an annotated bibliography of books appropriate for middle and high school students and present book talks with teens. | 3 Credits |
| SLM 505 | Information Sources: Retrieval, Dissemination and Utilization
This course explores the wide variety of reference materials (books, software, and the Internet) that support the K-12 curricula. Topics include selecting and evaluating sources, using the sources to find information, integrating the sources into the curricula, helping students use the sources, and lesson planning. Candidates answer reference questions, design instructional activities, develop pathfinders, create an instructional research handbook, and produce a reference bibliography. | 3 Credits |
| SLM 506 | Collection Development
This course examines how to create a collection that supports the learning needs of the students and faculty. Topics include school curriculum, selection tools, policies, and the procedures for developing, maintaining, and evaluating the collection. Candidates complete a community and school analysis, create a school curriculum chart, prepare a materials order, and evaluate a portion of a library collection through collection mapping and other assessment techniques. | 3 Credits |
| SLM 508 | Learning Technologies
This course examines web-based technologies that support communication, collaboration, and production in the 21st century PreK-12 classroom and school library. These technologies include blogs, wikis, digital production services, and other social media. Topics include creating a web presence, producing digital content, collaborating, and planning instruction with Web 2.0 tools. Candidates identify current technologies, create digital content, and reflect on the instructional implications of technologies on teaching, learning, and professional development. | 3.0 Credits |
| SLM 550 | Professional Portfolio
Prerequisites SLM 501 and SLM 506
This course prepares candidates to create an electronic portfolio that proves that through their McDaniel coursework they have met the four standards for certification established by the American Association of School Librarians Standards for Initial Programs for SLM Specialist Preparation: (1) use of information and ideas, (2) teaching and learning, (3) collaboration and leadership, and (4) program administration. Topics include aligning artifacts with the AASL standards and objectives, composing reflection statements, collaborating with peers through the revision process, and managing a digital portfolio either as a web site or interactive PowerPoint. Through face-to-face and online instruction, candidates display the communication, technology, teaching, and administrative skills necessary to be an effective school librarian. | 3 Credits |
SLM 552
OR
SLM 553 | Practicum in School Librarianship
Note Students must be matriculated.
This course provides candidates the opportunity to gain practical experience in a school library media center under the supervision of a certified media specialist and a McDaniel College instructor. (The practicum is a minimum of 110 hours for certified teachers and 140 hours for those who are not certified.) Topics include services to students and staff, administrative procedures for operating the media center and assessment of the media center. Candidates create a project unique to their media center, collaborate with a classroom teacher to design an integrated lesson, assess the media center using state standards, visit and evaluate other media centers, and reflect on their experiences.
or
Practicum in School Librarianship, Advanced
Note Students must be matriculated.
This course provides candidates currently employed as a school librarians the opportunity to gain more experience by working under the supervision of a McDaniel College instructor. Topics include services to students and staff, assessment of the library and establishment of future program goals. Candidates create a project unique to their library, collaborate with a classroom teacher to design an integrated lesson, assess the library using state standards, write annual goals, visit and evaluate other libraries, and reflect on their experiences. | 4 Credits |
| RSM 541 | School Library Action Research
Prerequisites SLM 503, SLM 506, SLM 509
This course examines the concepts, practices, and importance of action research in the school library. Topics include the characteristics of action research, analysis of school-based projects, and the application of research in school libraries. Candidates will evaluate publish research projects, interview a school librarian, identify school library research problems, and develop a research proposal including a problem statement, research questions, literature review, and data collection tools. | 3 Credits |
- and one elective to be selected in consultation with the SLM program coordinator.
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Faculty
Dr. Mona Kerby, Coordinator, SLM
rkerby@mcdaniel.edu
410-857-2507
Career Opportunities for Graduates
Candidates currently fulfill positions as:
• School Library Media Specialists within K-12 public school settings
• School Library Media Specialists within K-12 private school settings
• Building Level Administrators
• Building Level Webmasters
• College Level Instructors
• Information Technology Specialists within K-12 public school settings
• District Library Media Supervisors
• Writers of professional books and articles
Important Dates
Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester – August 1
Spring Semester – December 15
Summer Sessions – May 1
FAQs
1. In what order should I take courses?
Although there is not a rigid course sequence, students are advised to take particular courses at certain times. Your first course should be SLM:503 Literature for Children, taught by the coordinator. Two other courses that are excellent for beginning students are: SLM:509 Instructional Collaboration and SLM:506 Selection & Use. Your last two courses should be SLM:550 Professional Portfolio and your internship.
2. What does the internship involve?
Your internship should be completed during your last semester. You will spend a minimum of 110 hours (3 weeks) in a school library. If you do not have successful teaching experience, you will spend additional time in the school library. You may request a particular school, but the final decision rests with the McDaniel College internship supervisor and the school district supervisor. If you work full time, it's a good idea to begin thinking now of ways that you can complete the three-week internship.
3. What is the Professional Portfolio?
SLM 550: Professional Portfolio is designed to showcase everything the candidate has learned throughout the SLM program. Candidates organize their portfolio according to the AASL four professional standards, selecting previous class assignments that best represent the standards.
