Educational Media Specialist PK to 12 For Testing Beginning 7/1/2026

Printer icon Print

Annotated Bibliography

The annotated bibliography that follows includes basic references that you may find useful in preparing for the exam. Each resource is linked to the competencies and skills found in Section 3 of this guide.

This bibliography is representative of the most important and most comprehensive texts as reflected in the competencies and skills. The Florida Department of Education does not endorse these references as the only appropriate sources for review; many comparable texts currently used in teacher preparation programs also cover the competencies and skills that are tested on the exam.

  1. American Association of School Librarians. (2018). National school library standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

    Offers a vision for teaching and learning to challenge and guide school library media specialists as educational leaders. These standards serve as a tool for library media specialists in helping shape the learning of students. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8.

  2. American Library Association. [Online].

    Contains information regarding book awards and provides lists appropriate for the school library media specialist to use for book selection. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 4.

  3. Burns, E. (2023). Assessing learners: Using the AASL standards to measure competency and growth. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Provides current theories and assessment strategies for learning, styles of assessment relevant to personnel working in school libraries, and lessons that can be incorporated into their practices. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 4.

  4. Coleman, M. (2019). Collaborate. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Approaches the idea of collaboration between school librarians and classroom educators, the development of learners' collaboration skills, and ways to design the school library space to foster a culture of collaboration. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 5.

  5. Cowick, C. (2018). Crash course in disaster preparedness. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

    Provides practical tips for planning and preparing for disasters and other emergencies, including staff training and communication procedures. Useful for review of competencies 2, 3, and 6.

  6. Donham, J., & Sims, C. (2020). Enhancing teaching and learning: A leadership guide for school library media specialists (4th ed. rev.). Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Shows how to develop and implement an effective school library media program by integrating it into the total education environment. Part One covers all aspects of the school environment: students, curriculum and instruction, principals, school district administration, and the community. Part Two shows how to integrate the school library media program throughout these environments using interaction and collaboration. Useful for review of competencies 1, 5, 7, and 8.

  7. Donovan, L. (2020). Inquire. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Covers how inquiry aids in lifelong learning for the learner and the library media specialist and how it creates a strong library program. Provides both theoretical thinking and practical application of inquiry skills. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 4.

  8. Eisenberg, M., & Berkowitz, R. E. (2010). Information and technology skills for student achievement. [Online].

    Explores tools for finding, using, presenting, and evaluating information for a purpose. Useful for review of competency 1.

  9. Everhart, N. (2021). Evaluating the school library: Analysis, techniques, and research practices (2nd ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

    Describes how and why to conduct evaluations of school libraries and explains the process of evaluating curriculum, collections, facilities, student programs and services, and library personnel. Discusses ways to bring all stakeholders to the table when conducting evaluations. Useful for review of competencies 2, 3, 4, and 5.

  10. Florida Department of Education. Library media services. [Online].

    Includes links to Florida's Library Media Research Model, Program Evaluation Rubric, and K–12 Integrated Library Media Reading Guidelines. Useful for review of all competencies.

  11. Holzweiss, K., & Evans, S. (2018). Hacking school libraries: 10 ways to incorporate library media centers into your learning community. Highland Heights, OH: Times 10.

    Explores strategies for making the library inviting and interactive and ways to ignite a passion for connecting and learning. Useful for review of competencies 5 and 8.

  12. Huguet, A., Pane, J. F., Baker, G., & Hamilton, L. S. (2021). Media literacy education to counter truth decay. [Online].

    Offers guidelines for understanding and synthesizing media literacy education standards to help counter the diminishing role that facts and data currently play in communication. Useful for review of competencies 1, 2, 3, and 7.

  13. Joudrey, D., Taylor, A., & Wisser, K. (2018). The organization of information (4th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

    Outlines methods of organizing information within the library, including cataloging and classification systems. Useful for review of competency 3.

  14. LaGarde, J., & Hudgins, D. (2018). Fact vs. fiction: Teaching critical thinking skills in the age of fake news. Portland, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

    Includes strategies for evaluating news stories and recognizing fake news and lesson plans for teaching these strategies to learners. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 5.

  15. Lewis, K. R., & Mardis, M. A. (2023). Engage. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Presents opportunities to view collection development and resources in new ways and strategies to teach the innovative and ethical use of information and information technologies. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 4.

  16. Madigan, M. (2022). Project-based learning for elementary grades. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Part One provides background information on and tips for implementing project-based learning projects. Part Two includes examples of project-based learning projects, ways to encourage collaboration, and methods to create a new project-based learning project. Useful for review of competency 1.

  17. Mardis, M. (2021). The collection program in schools: Concepts and practices (7th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

    Includes concepts and practices of collection development, including selection, acquisition, maintenance, processing, circulation, and evaluation of resources. Useful for review of competencies 1, 3, and 5.

  18. Miller, S. M., & Bass, W. (2019). Leading from the library: Help your school community thrive in the digital age. Portland, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

    Discusses the benefits of bringing outside connections into the library through social media and other technology tools and how sharing resources allows the librarian and school leaders to tell others the story of the school community. Useful for review of competencies 1, 4, and 5.

  19. Moreillon, J. (2018). Maximizing school librarian leadership: Building connections for learning and advocacy. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Explores ways for school librarians to play an instrumental role as instructional partners with classroom teachers and specialists. Provides strategies for working collaboratively and serving as an advocate among stakeholders. Useful for review of competency 6.

  20. Patee, A. S. (2020). Developing library collections for today's young adults: Ensuring inclusion and access (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

    Provides guidance for collection development, acquiring material, and evaluating and weeding the collection. Useful for review of competencies 2, 3, and 5.

  21. Rendina, D. (2017). Reimagining library spaces: Transform your space on any budget. Portland, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

    Includes guidelines to help librarians rethink the library space on a budget with the goal of transforming how students use the space, including the use of technology and collaborative learning. Useful for review of competency 5.

  22. Riedling, A. M., & Houston, C. (2019). Reference skills for the school library media specialist: Tools and tips. (4th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

    Focuses on reference processes, sources, services, and skills, including real-life examples. Contains information on updated terminology and techniques; research processes and models; and selection, evaluation, and maintenance of reference sources. Useful for review of competency 3.

  23. Russell, C. (2023). Complete copyright: An everyday guide for librarians (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Provides guidance for common copyright issues, including the complexities of copyright in the digital world. Real-life examples illustrate how librarians can be advocates for copyright laws. Useful for review of competency 7.

  24. Saponaro, M. Z., & Evans, G. E. (2019). Collection management basics (7th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

    Provides an overview of ways to manage a collection, including resource selection and assessment, resource sharing, collection policy development, budget development, and collection preservation. Useful for review of competencies 2, 3, 4, and 7.

  25. Searles, S.C. (2022). Explore. Chicago, IL. ALA Editions.

    Offers strategies for connecting traditional practices with moving the school library profession forward, along with ready-to-implement programming for the use of school librarians. Useful for review of competencies 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

  26. Simpson, C. (2011). Copyright catechism II: Practical answers to everyday school dilemmas. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, LLC.

    Provides answers to questions about complex, potentially confusing issues that K–12 educators, particularly librarians and technology specialists, encounter in their daily work. Useful for review of competency 7.

  27. Smith, D. L., & Bryan, L. (2024). Curate. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Provides strategies to connect learners to resources in meaningful ways and best practices for using Curate competencies to scaffold learning. Useful for review of competences 1, 3, 4, and 5.

  28. Stephens, C. G., & Franklin, P. (2015). Library 101: A handbook for the school librarian (2nd ed). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, LLC.

    Provides guidance for school library media specialists beginning new programs or their first jobs. Covers library management systems, budgeting, television production, and collaboration with teachers. Useful for review of all competencies.

  29. Stephens, W. (2021). Mindful school libraries: Creating and sustaining nurturing spaces and programs. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

    Explores the role of the school librarian in promoting an environment of mindfulness for students away from the classroom that will nurture their abilities to regulate responses and promote their information retrieval and analysis skills. Useful for review of competencies 3, 4, and 5.

  30. Stivers, J. (2022). Include. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Provides ways to understand and commit to respect and representation of all members of the learning community. Useful for review of competencies 1, 3, 4, and 5.

  31. Toor, R., & Weisburg, H. K. (2014). New on the job: A school library media specialist's guide to success (2nd ed.). Chicago: American Library Association.

    Presents a comprehensive, hands-on guide to managing a library media center. Useful for review of competencies 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8.

  32. Weisburg, H. K., & Dickinson, G. (2020). Classroom management for school librarians. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

    Guides school librarians in establishing a positive classroom environment for engaging and teaching K–12 students. Useful for review of competencies 1, 4, 5, and 8.

  33. Woolls, B., Valenza, J. K., & Dawkins, A. M. (2023). The school library media manager: Leading through change (7th ed.). New York, NY: Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited.

    Discusses administration with regard to collections, facilities, personnel, budget, advocacy, program evaluation and assessment, networking, intellectual freedom, grants, and technology. Useful for review of competencies 2, 3, 5, and 7.

 

Return to Navigation