Discussion of Standards

The following will be a comparison and contrast of four different sets of standards for library and information work. I will be looking at the standards: ALA Standards for Accreditation ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians (2010) NC School Library Media Coordinators Standards (2012) (NCSLMC) ACRL Standards for Libraries in Higher Education (2011)
Originally, I assumed that the standards would be the same. However, I came to the conclusion that each one is similar, but also very different. I found that ALA standard 1, ALA/AASL standard 4, and ACRL standard 1 were similar. They each were referring to developing an effective program within the library. I thought that standard II of ALA and standard 4 of NCSLMC were similar when they discussed responding to the needs of a rapidly changing technological and global society. ALA standard III referred to faculty. I found that standards 1.2, 1.3, 5.2 of ALA/AASL and standard 8 of ACRL also referred to faculty. I thought that standard VI of ALA and standard 5.3 of ALA/AASL were similar in discussing facilities. Other similarities were standard 1 of ALA/AASL and standards 1 and 3 of NCSLMC. I thought that standard 3 of ACRL dealing with the educational role was also similar to 1.3 of ALA/AASL and stand 1 of NCSLMC. Standard 2 of the NCSLMC refers to the school library media coordinator building a learning environment that meets the instructional needs of a diverse population. I think goes along with standard 2.3 of ALA/AASL with respect for diversity. Standard 3 of the NCSLMC refers to implementing a comprehensive 21st century library media program. I believe that standard 4 of ACRL is similar because it states, “Libraries enable users to discover information in all formats through effective use of technology and organization of knowledge”. Standard 4 of the NCSLMC is similar to standard 3 of ALA/AASL because it is discussing information and knowledge. I think standard 5 of NCSLMC is similar to standards 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 5 of ALA/AASL and standard 1 of ACRL. This standard is referring to collecting data to improve program planning, librarian networking, professional development, and continuous improvement. In standard 2 of ALA/AASL it discusses candidates collaborate with classroom teachers. That is similar to the standard 2.6 of ACRL that discusses collaboration on campus. However, standard 2.6 takes it a bit farther and has collaboration across institutional boundaries. In standard 4, advocacy is mentioned. Standard 9 of ACRL is similar because it is talking about the role of the librarian as an ambassador for the library.
Two of the standards were very similar. The ALA/AASL Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians are referring to the candidates that want to be school librarians. The NC School Library Median Coordinators Standards are standards for candidates that want to be media coordinators. This is the same job, just a different title.
The ACRL standards are referring to higher education. The ALA Standards for Accreditation are standards referring to accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies. One difference that stood out the most to me was standard 2 of ACRL. It discussed that the library would resist all efforts to censor library resources. I did not notice censorship mentioned in any of the other standards. Also standard IV of ALA discusses recruitment, admission, and financial aid. I did not see that the other standards. Stand V.3 of ALA discusses the title and salary of the executive officer. I did not see that mentioned in any of the other standards. I personally think that the NC School Library Media Coordinators Standards will be most important for my professional future. I love the mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education, August 2006: Every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the 21st Century. I also like the fact that leadership is the number one standard of the North Carolina School Library Media Coordinators Standards. With technology becoming such an important part of a librarian, I think we have a new role in the future of the school system. We as librarians have the opportunity to become leaders. We have the ability to step up and introduce to the teachers all of the new technology that will take our students into the workplace of the 21st century. As our world is changing the role of the library media coordinator has also changed. We can become the future leaders in the school system. There has never been a more exciting time to become a school media coordinator!