Preparation Manual

Section 3: Overview and Exam Framework
School Librarian (150)

Exam Overview

Table outlining the exam format, number of questions, time, and passing score.

Exam Name	School Librarian
Exam Code	150
Time	5 hours
Number of Questions	100 selected-response questions
Format	Computer-administered test (CAT)

The TExES School Librarian (150) exam is designed to assess whether an examinee has the requisite knowledge and skills that an entry-level educator in this field in Texas public schools must possess. The 100 selected-response questions are based on the School Librarian exam framework. Questions on this exam range from grades EC–12. The exam may contain questions that do not count toward the score. Your final scaled score will be based only on scored questions.

The Standards

Domains and Competencies

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by domain.

Domain	Domain Title	Approx. Percentage of Exam	Standards Assessed
I	Teaching, Learning and the School Library Environment	25%	School Librarian I, IV
II	Program Management, Leadership and Connections to the Community	30%	School Librarian II, V
III	Librarianship, Information Science and Technology	45%	School Librarian III, VI

The content covered by this exam is organized into broad areas of content called domains. Each domain covers one or more of the educator standards for this field. Within each domain, the content is further defined by a set of competencies. Each competency is composed of two major parts:

• The competency statement, which broadly defines what an entry-level educator in this field in Texas public schools should know and be able to do.
• The descriptive statements, which describe in greater detail the knowledge and skills eligible for testing.

Domain I—Teaching, Learning and the School Library Environment

Competency 001—(Teaching and Learning in the School Library Program): The school librarian understands teaching and learning processes and promotes the integration of curriculum, resources and teaching strategies to ensure all students’ success as creators and users of ideas and information.

The beginning school librarian:

1. Participates as an educational leader, an equal partner and a change agent in the curriculum development process at both the campus and district levels.
2. Understands curriculum design and participates in integrated planning of a shared campus vision that focuses on reading, teaching and learning.
3. Uses collaborative planning, cooperative teaching and direct instruction, as determined by students’ needs and state curriculum standards.
4. Teaches students effective strategies to locate, gather, select, synthesize and evaluate information.
5. Instructs students in the ethical use of information resources (e.g., plagiarism, copyright, acceptable use).
6. Collaborates with faculty to design instructional activities that foster independent learning.
7. Adapts teaching strategies to address the diverse learning needs and varied cultural backgrounds of the student population.
8. Provides and promotes ongoing staff development/continuing professional education (e.g., integration of information technology, information literacy, literature appreciation) for the learning community.
9. Provides and promotes ongoing learning opportunities (e.g., integration of information technology, information literacy, literature appreciation) for students.
10. Directs and encourages students to read, view, experience and listen to a variety of fiction and nonfiction resources for personal and informational needs.

Competency 002—(Library Environment): The school librarian establishes a library environment that enables and encourages all members of the learning community to explore and meet their information needs.

The beginning school librarian:

1. Understands principles of exemplary library design as defined by state and federal guidelines for a simultaneous-use facility for individuals, small groups and classes.
2. Develops and maintains a flexible, functional and barrier-free library facility that is safe, secure and age-appropriate.
3. Uses space effectively in the school library (e.g., for displays of student-produced, faculty-produced and community-produced materials and collections).
4. Promotes equitable access to resources and information during and beyond the instructional day and school year.
5. Creates a learning environment in which the diversity of groups and the uniqueness of individuals are recognized and appreciated.
6. Provides access to library resources and facilities through open, flexible scheduling for classes, small groups and individuals.

Domain II—Program Management, Leadership and Connections to the Community

Competency 003—(Library Program Management): The school librarian understands library program management and acquires, organizes and manages resources.

The beginning school librarian:

1. Uses effective decision making (e.g., synthesizing information from a variety of sources) to develop and maintain an exemplary library program.
2. Develops procedures for the school library program to ensure compliance with Board policies and local, state and federal laws.
3. Uses effective strategies and techniques for systematically performing fiscal library management operations (e.g., record keeping, budgeting, purchasing, grant writing).
4. Manages and maintains facilities and resources (e.g., scheduling, circulation, inventory, repair, reporting).
5. Supervises students and implements programs to manage and evaluate human resources.
6. Collaborates with faculty to evaluate (e.g., select, weed) library resources that support the curriculum and leisure reading.
7. Designs and implements acceptable use policies for current and emerging technologies.
8. Monitors, assesses and employs existing and emerging technologies for management applications.
9. Uses effective planning, time management and organization of work to maximize attainment of district and campus goals.

Competency 004—(Library Program Leadership and Connections to the Community): The school librarian exhibits library program leadership and collaborates within the school and community to promote the success of all students.

The beginning school librarian:

1. Advocates for the development of an exemplary library program that encourages excellence in all students.
2. Designs and uses statistical reports to support an exemplary library program.
3. Applies effective leadership strategies within campus and district administrative structures to promote library program goals.
4. Promotes awareness of, respect for and responsiveness to learning differences and diversity within the school and community.
5. Communicates effectively through oral, written, electronic and nonverbal expression.
6. Establishes partnerships with businesses, learning institutions, global communities, organizations and other libraries to strengthen programs and support campus goals.
7. Develops library programs that offer families opportunities to participate in school activities and in their children’s education.
8. Develops and implements a comprehensive public relations program (e.g., news media, Web pages, newsletters) that effectively involves and informs multiple constituencies.

Domain III—Librarianship, Information Science and Technology

Competency 005—(Librarianship and Information Science): The school librarian applies knowledge of librarianship and information science to help the school community locate, evaluate and use information to solve problems and to encourage lifelong reading and learning.

The beginning school librarian:

1. Understands the role of all types of libraries and information agencies in an integrated learning environment.
2. Understands the role of the school library program as a central element in the intellectual life of the school.
3. Applies knowledge of theories, principles and skills related to collection development (e.g., evaluating, selecting and acquiring resources).
4. Applies standard procedures (e.g., AACR, Dewey, LCSH, MARC) for classifying, cataloging and processing resources.
5. Applies knowledge of theories, principles and skills related to organization, storage and retrieval of resources.
6. Applies bibliographic and retrieval techniques for organizing and using information sources.
7. Effectively interviews patrons to determine information needs.
8. Applies knowledge of literature and information resources to help patrons select materials.
9. Employs a variety of techniques (e.g., reading materials, media, programs, motivational strategies) to guide the development of independent readers.
10. Understands and applies principles of ethical behavior (e.g., intellectual freedom, information access, privacy, intellectual property) in various professional contexts.
11. Demonstrates a commitment to the library profession (e.g., membership in professional organizations, participation in continuing education, collaboration with other information professionals).

Competency 006—(Information Access and Technology): The school librarian uses and integrates technology telecommunications and information systems to enrich the curriculum, enhance learning and promote the success of the school community.

The beginning school librarian:

1. Understands basic terms and concepts of current technology (e.g., hardware, software applications and functions, input/output devices, networks).
2. Evaluates, acquires, analyzes and manages digital resources (e.g., databases, network information) and assesses information for accuracy and validity.
3. Uses existing and emerging technologies to access, evaluate and disseminate information for library and instructional programs.
4. Uses interlibrary loan to facilitate information access beyond the campus.
5. Uses productivity tools to communicate information in various formats (e.g., newsletters, multimedia presentations, Web applications, teleconferencing).
6. Uses information problem-solving processes, activities and materials to integrate the state-mandated curriculum for technology applications into the library program.
7. Models successful search strategies using technology.
8. Guides students and staff to utilize established criteria (e.g., design, content delivery, audience, relevance) in the development of technology-based products.
9. Participates in district, state and national technology initiatives.
10. Selects and utilizes automation systems, including OPAC on the Web, to provide maximum access to resources.

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