| Summary: | The purpose of this dissertation is to describe how school library media specialists can realize a new role of resource persons for teachers and each other. The re-definition of their role from reactive to proactive enables then to plan and team teach with classroom teachers and to integrate library media and research skills programs into the classroom curriculum, using the cooperative learning model. In addition, a library media specialists' peer support group has been developed for professional growth. The positive ramifications of this for teaching and learning is described. Literature on the role of advisor, library media standards, effective teaching, procedural models, and cooperative learning are reviewed to identify characteristics and methods necessary for school library media specialists to become proactive resource persons and catalysts for change within their schools. Many of these same objectives, characteristics, skills and programs are identified by the American Library Association's (1988) guidelines, Information Power. This qualitative research study involves six library media specialists over a period of three years. Data are collected through observations, questionnaires, field notes, interviews, transcriptions of meetings and document analysis. Conclusions drawn from these data indicate that it is possible for library media specialists to realize their potential as resource persons who co-plan and implement instruction in collaboration with classroom teachers. Other conclusions indicate that a peer support group is extremely valuable for self-directed professional growth and development. The study concludes with recommendations for further research in the areas of beliefs and behaviors of practitioners, support groups and teaching models.
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