https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2020/title-6/subtitle-2/chapter-25/
2020 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 2 - Elementary And Secondary Education Generally
Chapter 25 - Public School Library Media and Technology Act
6-25-101. Legislative intent.
(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to articulate the functions served by each of the components of a school library media services program.
(b) The General Assembly is committed to the development and improvement of strong library media programs in all schools.
(c) It is the intent of the General Assembly that library media specialists be given time to fulfill their responsibilities under this subchapter.
6-25-102. Title.
This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Public School Library Media and Technology Act".
6-25-103. Library media services program.
(a) A "library media services program" means a program of information and media services in schools delivered by a library media specialist whose job includes duties as:
(1) An information specialist whose primary job function is to:
(A) Provide resources available to patrons through a systematically developed collection within the school and through access to resources outside the school;
(B) Provide assistance to patrons in identifying, locating, and interpreting information housed in and outside the library media center;
(C) Provide learning opportunities related to new technologies, use, and production of a variety of media formats; and
(D)
(i) Provide instruction in the use of the library media center.
(ii) Elementary class sessions for a library media specialist shall be limited as provided under subdivision(b)(1) of this section;
(2) An instructional consultant whose primary job function is to:
(A) Participate in building district, department, and grade-level curriculum development and assessment projects;
(B) Provide professional development in new and emerging technologies, use of appropriate technologies, incorporation of technology into the instructional program, and in the laws and policies pertaining to the use and communication of ideas and information, including copyright law; and
(C) Keep patrons informed of new acquisitions of software and hardware and instruct patrons in their optimal use; and
(3) A teacher of information and technology skills whose primary job function is to:
(A) Provide assistance in the use of technology to access information and networks that will enhance access to resources;
(B) Develop and implement a plan that ensures that skills are taught in a logical sequence for kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12);
(C) Provide expertise and instruction in the use of electronic retrieval systems such as electronic card catalogues and computer-generated bibliographies; and
(D) Provide instruction in the use of the library media center.
(b) (1) No less than one-third (1/3) of the library media specialist's time shall be spent as an information specialist, allowing time for administrative tasks such as ordering books and materials, processing items for usage, planning finances and accountability, organizing, directing, and evaluating the library media program, and other management duties.
(2) Class size shall be as set forth in the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts.
6-25-104. Library media specialist.
(a) (1) Only trained and certified library media services program personnel shall be assigned to carry out duties of the library media specialist.
(2) Library media clerks may carry out clerical duties supervised by the library media specialist.
(b) Duties that interfere with library media center responsibilities may not be assigned outside the library media center for the library media specialist.
(c) Equipment and personnel shall be available for the developmentally appropriate production of a wide range of media for students and faculty.
6-25-105. Establishment of guidelines for the selection, removal, and retention of materials.
(a) Media centers shall have written policies to establish guidelines for the selection, removal, and retention of materials.
(b) The school district shall have a written policy for addressing challenged material.
6-25-106. Provision of resources.
The school media collection should provide resources that contribute to lifelong learning while accommodating a wide range of differences in instructional methods, interest, and capabilities.
2020 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 2 - Elementary And Secondary Education Generally
Chapter 25 - Public School Library Media and Technology Act
6-25-101. Legislative intent.
(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to articulate the functions served by each of the components of a school library media services program.
(b) The General Assembly is committed to the development and improvement of strong library media programs in all schools.
(c) It is the intent of the General Assembly that library media specialists be given time to fulfill their responsibilities under this subchapter.
6-25-102. Title.
This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Public School Library Media and Technology Act".
6-25-103. Library media services program.
(a) A "library media services program" means a program of information and media services in schools delivered by a library media specialist whose job includes duties as:
(1) An information specialist whose primary job function is to:
(A) Provide resources available to patrons through a systematically developed collection within the school and through access to resources outside the school;
(B) Provide assistance to patrons in identifying, locating, and interpreting information housed in and outside the library media center;
(C) Provide learning opportunities related to new technologies, use, and production of a variety of media formats; and
(D)
(i) Provide instruction in the use of the library media center.
(ii) Elementary class sessions for a library media specialist shall be limited as provided under subdivision(b)(1) of this section;
(2) An instructional consultant whose primary job function is to:
(A) Participate in building district, department, and grade-level curriculum development and assessment projects;
(B) Provide professional development in new and emerging technologies, use of appropriate technologies, incorporation of technology into the instructional program, and in the laws and policies pertaining to the use and communication of ideas and information, including copyright law; and
(C) Keep patrons informed of new acquisitions of software and hardware and instruct patrons in their optimal use; and
(3) A teacher of information and technology skills whose primary job function is to:
(A) Provide assistance in the use of technology to access information and networks that will enhance access to resources;
(B) Develop and implement a plan that ensures that skills are taught in a logical sequence for kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12);
(C) Provide expertise and instruction in the use of electronic retrieval systems such as electronic card catalogues and computer-generated bibliographies; and
(D) Provide instruction in the use of the library media center.
(b) (1) No less than one-third (1/3) of the library media specialist's time shall be spent as an information specialist, allowing time for administrative tasks such as ordering books and materials, processing items for usage, planning finances and accountability, organizing, directing, and evaluating the library media program, and other management duties.
(2) Class size shall be as set forth in the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts.
6-25-104. Library media specialist.
(a) (1) Only trained and certified library media services program personnel shall be assigned to carry out duties of the library media specialist.
(2) Library media clerks may carry out clerical duties supervised by the library media specialist.
(b) Duties that interfere with library media center responsibilities may not be assigned outside the library media center for the library media specialist.
(c) Equipment and personnel shall be available for the developmentally appropriate production of a wide range of media for students and faculty.
6-25-105. Establishment of guidelines for the selection, removal, and retention of materials.
(a) Media centers shall have written policies to establish guidelines for the selection, removal, and retention of materials.
(b) The school district shall have a written policy for addressing challenged material.
6-25-106. Provision of resources.
The school media collection should provide resources that contribute to lifelong learning while accommodating a wide range of differences in instructional methods, interest, and capabilities.
