The web address for this page is http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm     (revised 8-7-08 mk)
Welcome!|| Graduate SLM Home || Syllabi ||  Schedule || Instructors || Course Evaluation Form || 
For an application, a graduate catalog, and the bulletin of semester courses, please email or call our secretary, Dorita Dorm, at ddorm@mcdaniel.edu  or 410-386-4652.

This web page supplements the other information you'll find on McDaniel's website, the graduate catalog, and the SLM Handbook.  You'll want to refer to all of them.

After you've reviewed all these materials and you have additional questions, please send me an email at rkerby@mcdaniel.edu or call me at 410-857-2507. 

OUR PROFESSION
If you love to (a) teach all ages and abilities of children, (b) read every day, (c) learn new things about technology, and (d) work hard, then school librarianship is for you!

To make sure that this is a good decision for you, please chat with a school librarian and also, study the information you find at the American Association of School Librarian (AASL) site at http://www.ala.org/aasl You'll also want to examine the following:

The book Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. (ALA 1998).
The COMAR governmental regulations for the certification of a School Library Media Specialist in Maryland.
The MSDE standards for school library media centers.  Or, <http://www.mdk12.org/share/standards/statemed.pdf>
Professional Dispositions for School Library Media Specialists

Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science at http://lu.com/odlis/

When you complete the application, you'll be asked to explain why you want to pursue this degree.  I'll expect to see in your answer that you've examined professional resources.

EDUCATION COURSES
If you do not have teacher certification, you will need additional coursework to obtain MSDE certification as a school library media specialist.  These courses, which may be graduate or undergraduate courses, should be in the following areas:
  • history and philosophy of education
  • student developmental levels, learning theory, and strategies for identifying student information and learning needs
  • theories, principles, and methods of instructional design and delivery
  • inclusion of special needs student populations
The McDaniel courses that fulfill these requirements are:
  • EDU 580: Learning and Teaching
  • EDU 581: Linking Instruction and Assessment
  • EDU 592 or EDU 593 Field Experience (If you are not employed in a school, then you must register for these courses.  If you are presently employed in a school then you are exempt.)
  • SED 572: Issues in Inclusive Education (or PSY 510: Psychology of Exceptionality)
  • RDG 524 Materials for Balanced Reading Instruction (elem) or RDG 532 Reading in Content Areas: Part I (secondary level)
Please take the education courses in the first half of your program.  After all, you will already be expected to know how to teach when you take your school library courses.  If you take courses at another school, remember to have an official transcript sent to our Graduate Records.
TEACHING
This bears repeating—your ability to teach is critical to your success as a school librarian.  You teach everyone.  This means you must be able to teach children of all ages and abilities.  Also, you will be responsible for instructing teachers on technology and ways to incorporate it into the curriculum.  If you do not have teaching experience, please consider a classroom position before continuing graduate studies in this field.  At the very least, consider substituting or working as a school library assistant.
TESTING
If you are currently teaching, please submit a photocopy of your Praxis or NTE score to Graduate Records.  If you haven’t taken this exam, consider taking the Praxis.   For information about taking this exam, you may choose to search it on the web, call a local Sylvan center, or call the Graduate Office at 410-857-2500.

If you are not a teacher, then please take the Praxis I exam for reading, writing, and math.  You'll find information about this exam on the Internet.  Or, you may email Dorita Dorm (ddorm@mcdaniel.edu) and ask her to mail you a booklet.  Give her your snail mail address.   To continue taking courses, you must make a score that is accepted by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
DEGREE PLAN AND YOUR FIRST MEETING WITH ME--MONA KERBY
Sometime at the beginning of your coursework, you will meet with me to make a degree plan.  (Download a sample plan.)  Before our meeting, make certain that you have submitted your (a) application for graduate study, (b) three reference forms, (c) official college transcripts, (d) your test score, and (e) that you have read the information posted on this site.  Please note that you will receive the reference forms after your application for graduate study has been received in the Graduate Records Office.
  MCDANIEL ARCHWAY / EMAIL ACCOUNT /  STUDENT ID  /  LIBRARY CARD
Be sure to get your McDaniel College email account and also your McDaniel Archway user name and password.  The Archway will allow you to check to see if you are enrolled in a particular class and the room number.  You can also check your grades.  Follow the instructions that you see on the college web site.  The College expects you to use your McDaniel email account when requesting information about transcripts or courses.

Also get your student ID card and then walk over to our college's Hoover Library to get your library card activated.  You'll want the ID card to get discounts on purchasing software and you'll want your library card to search databases at home.
SLM LISTSERV
Once you are admitted into our program, send me an email, and I’ll subscribe you to our student listserv so that you’ll receive the latest news.
STUFF TO HAVE WHEN YOU BEGIN THIS DEGREE
Writing Manuals, dictionary and thesaurus—You'll be doing a lot of writing, so please, keep writing manuals close to your desk.  I recommend: E.B. White's Elements of Style, Kate L. Turabian's A Manual for Writers, a writing manual—the one by Hacker or Harbrace College Handbook, Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, and Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus.  A good online source is called The OWL at Purdue at <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/>

Computer and Software—While you may use the computer labs on campus, you really need a new computer and up to date software at home. Use Microsoft Office XP software. (or a free program called Starpower)   For a browser, use the most recent version of Netscape Communicator (this is free).  To design web pages, use Dreamweaver and Fireworks software.  To decide on what computer to buy, search the online consumer reports for recommendations.  As a teacher or college student, you can get a discount on software.  Call the college bookstore for details.
MATRICULATION
To matriculate (which means you are formally accepted into the graduate program), you must have:

1.  an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
2.  3 reference forms approved by coordinator;
3.  a Praxis score that meets MSDE acceptance level;
4.  completed these 3 courses in this order with a grade of B or better: SLM 503 (with me), SLM 521 (on campus), and SLM 505;
5.  completed this self-assessment and snail mailed to the coordinator after you've taken the above 3 courses. ( If you don't complete this form, after you've taken the 3 courses above, Archway will block you from registering.)

Please note:  While you may take courses in the slm program, completing courses does not constitute acceptance into the school library media program. 
COURSE SYLLABI 
Your course work reflects the AASL/NCATE Standards for Preparation Programs for School Library Media Specialists.  In your final semester, you'll create a digital portfolio using these standards and displaying the projects/lessons/assignments you have completed in your coursework.  Click here for a one page summary of the standards.

To give you an idea of course requirements, you may want to see part of the syllabus.  We don’t always keep current ones on this web page.  You’ll get the latest version when you take the class.
SLM:  501   School Library Media Administration  Take this class near the end.
 SLM:  502   Organization and Access
SLM:  503   Literature for Children  (Quick Reading List)  (Bibliography Instructions) Take this class first with me! 
SLM:  504   Literature for Young Adults (Quick Reading List)
 SLM:  505   Information Sources: Retrieval, Dissemination and  Utilization (Instructor Buddy Phillips) Make SLM 505 your third course.
SLM:  506   Selection and Use of Media Take this class near the end. 
SLM:  507   Multimedia Presentation and Design
SLM:  515   (Elective) Art of Storytelling 
SLM:  521   Telecommunications and the Internet (Instructor Buddy Phillips) Take SLM 521 second.
SLM:  522   Technology in the Classroom (For Curriculum students)
SLM:  527   Advanced Internet and Web Applications (Elective)  (Let me know when to put it on the schedule.)
SLM:  550   Professional Portfolio  Take this and the Internship at the very end.
SLM:  552/553   Internship and Internship Application
                  MCPS employees must also complete this pdf form:   Old one: http:www.montgomeryschools.md.org/departments/forms/pdf/440-12.pdf
You have one elective in this program.  You and I will select a course that is best for you.
  BLACKBOARD
We use Blackboard for our online courses.  If you are new to this platform, please read the instructions on this page: http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/its/faq_blackboard.htm
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
Study Guide for the Comprehensive Examination.  (Beginning in Spring 2003, some students are presenting digital portfolios instead of taking the exam. See below for an explanation and also see course SLM 550 above for a brief syllabus.)

Don’t forget that you need to enroll for the comp exam at the beginning of the semester.  To sign up, follow the procedures in the official current course schedule.  Also, see the course schedule for the day and time of the exam.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Draft--Fall 2008
Draft--Summer 2008
Draft Spring 2008

The registrar will post the official college schedule on Archway.  Check it for room assignments.  The college "paper" schedule that is snail mailed should also be correct, but all corrections are made to Archway.
INSTRUCTORS Course Evaluation Form--use for online classes and submit to Ann Thomas at athomas@mcdaniel.edu.
Dr. Ramona N. Kerby, rkerby@mcdaniel.edu         
Ms. Annette Bailey, ambailey@mcdaniel.edu
Mr.  Brian Baczkowski, baczkowski@yahoo.com
Ms. Kay Craig,  kcraig@mcdaniel.edu
Ms. Linda Crump,  lcrump@mcdaniel.edu
Ms. Gloria Curdy griz@curdy.myrf.net
Ms. Katie Grubb cgrubb@mcdaniel.edu
 Ms. Joanne Hay,  jhay@pa.net 
Mr. Mike Hobson, mhobson@mcdaniel.edu         
Mr. Charles (Buddy) Phillips, cphillip@mcdaniel.edu
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR CURRENT STUDENTS
MATRICULATION--When you complete your first 3 courses in the slm program (503, 521, & 505), please complete this self-assessment and send to Mona Kerby at McDaniel College.


WHEN TO TAKE WHAT?--We have 12 courses in our program.  Try to finish your degree in 3 years.  Consider completing your courses in this order:
  • First courses to take:  SLM 503, SLM 521, SLM 505
  • Second set of courses to take:  SLM 502, SLM 507, EDU 550
  • Third set of courses:  SLM 504, your elective
  • Fourth set of courses:  SLM 506, SLM 501, your internship, and your comprehensive exam/digital portfolio. Your internship and your comp exam/digital portfolio MUST be in your last semester, not earlier.
YOUR LAST SEMESTER--At the beginning of your last semester, please complete an "Application for Graduation" and send it to the registrar. To find the form online, click on Updates for Graduate Students.
DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS

Beginning in fall 2003, all entering students will prepare a digital portfolio.  The digital portfolio will replace the comprehensive exam.  Students currently enrolled will have the option of taking the comprehensive exam or preparing a digital portfolio.

Get a head start on creating your professional digital portfolio.  Here's the sample template based on the four AASL/NCATE standards.  If you need help with Dreamweaver software or your digital portfolio, go to McDaniel College Instructional Technology Home Page www2.mcdaniel.edu/its/home.htm

Some Advice Before Enrolling in the Professional Portfolio Course
Rubric for Evaluating the Professional Portfolio (2006)  created by B. Baczkowski

Examples of student portfolios are created by:
Trudy Griebenow (2007) http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/griebenowt/TGportfolio/index.html
JoAnn Floyd (2007) http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/floydj/portfolio/documents/home.htm
Mike Hobson (2007) http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/hobsonm/portfolio/index.htm
Dee Van Gelder (2007) http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/vangelderd/portfolio/documents/home.htm
Michelle White (2007)  http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/whitem/portfolio/documents/home.htm
Anita Anderson (2006) http://www.anitajanderson.org/ala_standard4progress.htm
Jan Granger (2004) http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/carrollj/Janhome.htm
Stephanie Greene (2004)  http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/greeneport/home.htm
Linda Kilcoyne (2005) http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/woodfieldes/staff/kilcoyne/portfolio/index.html
Betsy Morton (2004)  http:www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/mortonm/betport/home.htm 
Ann Wisniewski (2005)  http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/wisniewskia/home.htm
Kelli  Zellner (2006) http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/zellnerk/portfolio/zellnerportfolio/documents/home.htm
OTHER STUDENT WORK EXAMPLES

School Library Media Websites
School Curriculum Charts
Donna Britton (2003)  HCPS Elementary School Curriculum
Terri Jeffrey (2003)  HCPS Middle School Curriculum

School Library Media Curriculum Charts
Literature Presentations
Heath Hallman (2004)  Author David Macaulay http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/hallmanh/Macaulaypage1.html

Webquests
Lynn Rashid (2003) Ancient Greece & Rome  http://staff.howard.k12.md.us/%7Elrashid/webquest/index.htm
Lynn Rashid (2004) Balancing Interests in Africa http://staff.howard.k12.md.us/%7Elrashid/africawq/index.html
WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR DEGREE
When you graduate, you need to do one more thing--call your state department of education, either Maryland State Department of Education or Pennyslvania Department of Education.  Request an application for certification.  You'll need to have an official transcript of your McDaniel coursework sent to the state department. When you request your transcript from the registrar (call 410-857-2215 for an automated message of instructions), also ask that a transcript be sent to you.  OPEN IT--and check to see that we have have printed the following words on it: “This student has completed a Maryland approved program using recognized state or national standards, with eligibility for certification in School Library Media K-12 and has completed a practicum in School Library Media K-12.”    This is the wording that the state certification folks will look for.

If you are seeking PA certification, you'll need to take an exit Praxis exam in school librarianship.  Either your district or your state department will give you the instructions.

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