The web address for this page is http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm     (revised 8-20-10 mk)
Welcome! ||  Graduate SLM Home  || Syllabi ||  Schedule || Instructors || Course Evaluation Form || 
For information, please email or call our secretary, Dorita Dorm, at ddorm@mcdaniel.edu  or 410-857-2506.  To complete the information online, please see McDaniel College.  Here are direct links to specific pages of interest: How to Apply, Admission Reference Forms, Admission and Acceptance.

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 study the information at the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) site at http://www.ala.org/aasl .

You'll also want to examine the following:

On the application, you'll be asked to write a brief paragraph to explain why you want to pursue this degree. I'll expect to see in your answer that you've examined the professional resources above and that you've chatted with several school librarians.

If you do enroll, then:

  • Purchase: Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs. Chicago: ALA/AASL, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8389-8519-9. $39.00. Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. Chicago: ALA/AASL, 2007. ISBN $14.95. Standards for the 21st-Century Learner in Action. Chicago: ALA/AASL, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8389-8507-6. $39.00.
  • Join our professional organizations at the state and national level. These include Maryland Association of School Librarians or Pennsylvania Association of School Librarians, the American Library Association, the Association of School Librarians, and the Association of Library Service to Children. Many offer an inexpensive rate for graduate students.
  • Begin subscribing to journals such as School Library Journal, Library Media Connection, and School Library Media Activities Monthly.Investigate cheaper rates for graduate students. OR, learn how to access these free via your college library account. Most importantly, save copies of your membership fees, conference handouts, professional journals as you'll be using them when you prepare your professional portfolio in your final course.
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.  We're assuming you 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 Registrar, Sheila Deane.  (sdeane@mcdaniel.edu).

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.  Children and adults must like you and see you as a leader.  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.  Current classroom teachers will be expected to have outstanding teaching evaluations.
TESTING
If you are currently teaching, please submit a photocopy of your Praxis score to Graduate Records.  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. Instead of waiting for the scheduled testing dates, you make take the exam by computer by scheduling an appointment at the the Prometric Testing Center, 8601 LaSalle Road, Suite 106, Towson, MD 21286, 410-339-7777. If you take the test by computer, you have the option of completing the test sections individually at different times.

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. We typically do this when you are enrolled in SLM 503 with me.  (Download a sample plan--will be revised in Fall 2010.)  Before our meeting, make certain that you have submitted your (a) application for graduate study, (b) three reference forms, (c) ALL official college transcripts, (d) your test score, and (e) that you have read the information posted on this site. 
  MCDANIEL ARCHWAY / EMAIL ACCOUNT /  STUDENT ID  /  LIBRARY CARD
Use your McDaniel College email address for school matters.  Check Archway regularly--to see that your course work appears on your transcipt, to see that completed courses appear on your program plan, to enroll in classes and check their location.

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 AND KNOW WHEN YOU BEGIN THIS DEGREE
Writing Manuals, dictionary and thesauri: 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, Diana Hacker's A Pocket Style Manual, 5th ed. Boston:Bedford/St.Martin's, 2009 ISBN978-0-312-59324-7, 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/>

Professional Standards:  Purchase Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs (ALA 2009).

Professional Organizations: Join ALA, as well as one or several of the divisions AASL, ALSC, YALSA.  Join the state professional organizations--Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) or Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA).

Computer and Software: You really need a new computer and up to date software at home. Buy a web cam, or digi cam, and it's a good idea to get a headset and microphone. Use the latest version of Microsoft Office.   For a browser, use Explorer or Mozilla.  ( I use Sea Monkey.)  To design web pages, use CS4 (Dreamweaver ) or Sea Monkey, which is free.  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.

McDaniel College Honor Code:  You'll receive the Honor Code booklet from Graduate Admissions.  Here is a link to the information on the college website concerning the Honor Code.  It is your responsibility to uphold it. The following is a link to a ten-minute interactive tutorial from Acadia University designed to teach students the basics of avoiding plagiarism by learning why, when, and how to cite information sources: http://library.acadiau.ca/tutorials/plagiarism/ .

Professional Dispositions:  The way you conduct yourself is essential in your success as a graduate candidate. Please know that instructors will be making judgments on your behavior. Here is a link to the form they must complete.
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; these must be written by your principal, assistant principal, and or school district supervisor.
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 508, and SLM 505;
5.  completed this self-assessment and emailed 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, 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 
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
SLM:  506   Selection and Use of Media Take this class second. 
SLM:  507   Multimedia Presentation and Design
SLM:  508   Learning Technologies
SLM: 509 Instructional Collaboration Take this class third.
 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
  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
COURSE SCHEDULE
Draft_Fall_2010  Please see Archway for the correct times, dates, and room locations. The registrar will post the official college schedule on Archway.
Draft Spring 2010 
INSTRUCTORS Course Evaluation Form--use for online classes and submit to Ann Thomas at athomas@mcdaniel.edu.
                                  Instructors, please complete and email the professional dispositions form at the end of every semester.                   
Dr. Ramona N. Kerby, rkerby@mcdaniel.edu         
Ms. Brenda Anderson, banderson@mcdaniel.edu
Mr.  Brian Baczkowski, baczkowski@yahoo.com
Ms. Sarah Chauncey, sachauncey@gmail.com
Ms. Kay Craig,  kcraig@mcdaniel.edu
Ms. Linda Crump,  lcrump@mcdaniel.edu
Ms. Lori Frederick, baflaf@comcast.net
Ms. Marty Fry, mfry@mcdaniel.edu
Ms. Margie Gaudino mgaudino@mcdaniel.edu
Ms. Trudy Griebenow tgriebenow@mcdaniel.edu
Ms. Courtnay Moore cmoore@mcdaniel.edu
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR CURRENT STUDENTS
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 508, 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, go into your Archway  account and click on Graduate Information.
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIOS

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 see 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 candidate portfolios are created by:

Beth van Kan (2010) http://web.me.com/bvankan/vankanportfolio/Welcome.html
Kristen Wilson (2010) https://sites.google.com/site/kristenwilsonportfolio/
Stacey Kahler (2009) http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/kahlers/StaceyKahler.pps
Matthew Winner (2009)  http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/slm/student/winnerm/mwinner_SLM_portfolio.pps  (If link doesn't open, try using Explorer browser.)
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 CANDIDATE WORK EXAMPLES

Freedom to Read Documents
          Stacey Fisher (2009) Freedom to Read
School Library Websites
School Curriculum Charts
School Library Media Curriculum Charts
 Literature Presentations
          Carol Briggs (2009) Jim Murphy Bibliography and Crossword Puzzle

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, 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.

After you graduate, continue professional growth opportunities.  In a few years, please consider seeking National Board Certification as a Library Media Specialist.  Here are two links with information:  AASL and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. 

And--keep me posted on your successes.  Your chosen profession has the power to change lives.  Please see a list of our McDaniel College SLM Stars.

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