Office of Library Information Services

The Office of Library Information Services provides leadership in developing PreK-12 school
library media programs to support student achievement.  It ensures that students and teachers have equitable access to an organized and centrally managed collection of library resources, instructional materials, and information technologies in order to improve instruction, accelerate student learning,
and facilitate student critical thinking, problem solving, and research. 

The mission of the library media program of instruction is to prepare students as “knowledge workers”
by integrating information and technology literacy skills with all curricular content.  The library media specialist is the catalyst that inspires students to choose reading for pleasure by providing an age/level appropriate and current collection of reading materials.  It provides comprehensive services related to the organization and management of print, digital, video-on-demand resources, and related information technologies to provide equitable instruction and access by the educational community to information resources that support teaching and learning.

Additionally, the Office of Library Information Services:

  • Uses technology to effectively and efficiently manage school library collections through the use of a centrally administered Destiny Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), a Web-based union catalog and inventory system of K-12 library collections in all schools.
  • Provides staff development to teachers and library media specialists in the effective use and integration of 21st century technologies and digital tools such as Safari Montage video-on-demand, SafariLive, podcasting, Web 2.0 tools, digital content, databases, and virtual resources, Promethean interactive technologies, and video production.
  • Actualize.s and optimizes the vision for 21st century learners through the integration of information resources in the Online Research Models as well as the management of digital assets, and evaluation and selection of audiovisual equipment and technology related tools.
  • Integrates the Standards for 21st Century Learners(AASL) with K-12 curricula and provides a
    K-5 Library Media Articulated Instruction Module to ensure that all students have the knowledge and preparation for success in the 21st century. 
  • Keeps the community informed on educational research, issues, policies, and best practices through the information services of the Professional Research Library.
  • Supports the systemic initiative to increase student independent reading and research by providing a research and investigation guide (K-5 and 6-12).
  • Expands educational outreach to students and their families in the safe and ethical use of information technologies.

Della A. Curtis                
Coordinator
410 887-4035

Sharon Grimes
Supervisor
410 887-4036

Fran Glick
Professional Research Librarian
410 887-4908