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Division of School Library Studies
Graduate Portfolio Information
"I love being a librarian because I love being a teacher." --Amy Grundmeyer, MA 2003

General Comments:

These revised portfolio directions apply to students graduating beginning the Fall 2009. This portfolio fulfills the Comprehensive Examination requirement as the final evaluation tool for the Master of Arts degree in School Library Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. The portfolio should be presented to the faculty early in the term that graduation is expected.

This portfolio is to demonstrate the candidate's competence in the areas studied in the program; the student determines which content to use that will illustrate the level of competence in each of the areas listed below. The Vision Statement section will consist of the statement and the reflection about the vision statement. For each of the four roles a teacher librarian assumes, there should be approximately three exhibits of work you have done. It is acceptable to include articles from books, journals or websites, but these must be linked to your practice. The exhibits should be briefly identified, but APA citations are not required. Each exhibit should be a demonstration of competence. The exhibits for any area should be tied together with one reflection. Reflective writing does not describe the exhibits; rather it shows how you have thought through that particular role and how the exhibit demonstrates a part of it. In writing the reflections, it may be useful to think about:

What do I know about this now that I did not know before?
What have you learned in the program that will influence your leadership and decision-making?
What do I still need to do to improve my practice in this area?

• Vision Statement Describing a Superior School Library Program
• The Roles a Teacher-Librarian Assumes
  • Information Specialist (Use of information and ideas)
  • Teaching of the curriculum based on the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
  • Instructional Partner (Collaboration and Leadership)
  • Program Administrator
    

In addition to the above areas, the portfolio includes the following three sections as described below.

• Building Family Literacy in the Community at Large
• Ethical Considerations of Librarianship
• Resources for Continued Learning in Librarianship

Building Family Literacy in the Community at Large

• This is an area that will help you prepare for the National Board process. It is an important area that requires increasing attention. At this stage, it is sufficient for you to present a plan for building literacy in your community. You may want to target a specific audience and include your public library or another institution in your plan.

Ethical Considerations of Librarianship

• Describe your experiences and current thinking about intellectual freedom, privacy and copyright. Exhibits can enhance your description, but are not required.

Resources for Continued Learning in Librarianship

• Include here a list of books, journals, websites, or conferences that you have come to depend upon for professional reading---work, issues, ideas, and inspiration. This list should be in correct APA format.

The portfolio MUST be submitted electronically. The contents of the portfolio will be a private matter between the faculty and the School Library Studies faculty and the student. The School Library Studies Final Portfolio Rubric will be used to assess the portfolio.

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