The Role of the School Library Media Specialist as Perceived by Selected Elementary School Principals in the Houston Independent School District

Librarians have always been looked upon by patrons and administrators simply as a keeper of books. According to West (1972, p. i) the twentieth century library educator has had a calling for improving this simple existence, which has meant a moving, shaking, and transformation of the librarian profession. For this reason, this writer has chosen to investigate the role of the school library media specialist as perceived by the elementary school principal. Author and librarian Helen E. Saunders (1968, p. 172), states that the effectiveness of the school library media specialist strongly depends on how the role of the specialist is viewed by the top managerial person in the elementary educational block. Based on this statement, this writer deems it significant to investigate the depth of thought the elementary school principal has of the newly acquired role of the library educator. For the purpose of the study the following questions will be answered: 1. How extensive is the elementary school principal\u27s knowledge of the role of the school media specialist in regard to Services to Students as shown by specific percentage findings? 2. How extensive is the elementary school principal\u27s knowledge of the role of the school media specialist in regard to Services to Teachers as shown by specific percentage findings? 3. How extensive is the elementary school principal\u27s knowledge of the role of the school media specialist in regard to Organization and Administration as shown by specific percentage findings? 4. What percentage of elementary school principals surveyed indicated a need for an in-service or orientation on the role of the school media specialist