Guidelines for the Education and Training of School Librarians. IFLA Professional Reports No. 9.

Developed by a a working group of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Section of School Libraries, these guidelines present succinct and precise statements on the duties and functions of school librarians, their educational and training needs, and details of how the preparation of school librarians differs from the education of other librarians. The guidelines include three basic components: a schematic presentation of the essential competencies involved in the three factors that comprise the functions of school librarians--librarianship, management, and education--and the interrelationship of these factors; details of the functions of school librarians defined in the context of the school as well as the competencies and knowledge needed to carry out each function efficiently; and a checklist of competencies to be used for a quick evaluation of existing programs or as an initial framework for designing a new program. A bibliography of approximately 30 references is included to facilitate access to additional information on these issues. Appendices include two major international statements on school libraries, one from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the other from the World Confederation of the Teaching Profession Assemblies (WCOTP) and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL). (THC)