Library Media Specialist (Grades K–12)
Subtest 2 Sample Items
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Question 1
1. A library media specialist is teaching a lesson to third-grade students at the beginning of a science
research assignment. Students will research a self-selected topic that the teacher has approved. The
library media specialist is aware that students are likely to encounter topic-specific terminology in
their research. The library media specialist can best guide students in addressing this challenge by
teaching them which of the following strategies?
- analyzing context clues in the text
- using the glossary of a resource
- skimming the text for main ideas
- finding synonyms in a thesaurus
Answer to question 1
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0007) Teaching the use of
a glossary provides age-appropriate point-of-need learning that can be applied to other educational
contexts in which students engage, thus increasing students' overall information literacy. Furthermore,
teaching students how to understand and use common features of nonfiction texts improves independent
reading skills.
Correct Response: B (Objective 0007) Teaching the use of a glossary provides age-appropriate
point-of-need learning that can be applied to other educational contexts in which students engage, thus
increasing students' overall information literacy. Furthermore, teaching students how to understand
and use common features of nonfiction texts improves independent reading skills.
Question 2
2. Which of the following questions would be most important for students to ask when evaluating the
reliability of a particular Web site?
- How many full-time writers contribute to this Web site?
- Does this Web site include advertisements?
- What persons or organizations own this Web site?
- When was this Web site created?
Answer to question 2
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0007) Identifying the persons
or organizations that own a Web site can provide the student with insight regarding the point of view
that information on the site may represent. If the individuals or organizations advocate for particular
causes or to make a profit, the information provided by the site may not represent a balanced perspective.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0007) Identifying the persons or organizations
that own a Web site can provide the student with insight regarding the point of view that information
on the site may represent. If the individuals or organizations advocate for particular causes or to
make a profit, the information provided by the site may not represent a balanced perspective.
Question 3
3. A group of students in a fifth-grade class recently formed a research club. The students have asked
the library media specialist if they can do extra research in the information media center during the
school day. The library media specialist works with the teacher to develop a plan that allows the students
to visit the information media center during free time. Which of the following outcomes is likely to
be the most significant benefit of this arrangement?
- communicating to students that they should be actively engaged in learning throughout the school day
- encouraging other students to use the information media center for personal learning
- reinforcing to teachers the importance of supporting the information media program's role in student
learning
- fostering in students a sense of empowerment to pursue learning on their own
Answer to question 3
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0007) Allowing the students
to conduct research outside of regular class assignments conveys to students that research and information
skills are important and useful for personal learning. When students are supported in engaging in research
for their own purposes, they develop a sense of confidence about the process and are more likely to
become lifelong learners.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0007) Allowing the students to conduct research
outside of regular class assignments conveys to students that research and information skills are important
and useful for personal learning. When students are supported in engaging in research for their own
purposes, they develop a sense of confidence about the process and are more likely to become lifelong
learners.
Question 4
4. A library media specialist collaborates with a sixth-grade science teacher to present students with
three information sources about harnessing wind power to generate electricity. The three information
sources are a newspaper editorial, a popular blog, and a segment from a nightly television entertainment
program. Which of the following activities would best promote students' critical thinking skills in
the context of this lesson?
- determining the likely target audience of each of the three information sources
- writing a paper summarizing the point of view of one of the information sources
- locating other resources on the topic to verify the information in each of the three information sources
- researching the credentials of the author(s) of one of the information sources
Answer to question 4
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0007) This item requires
the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies and activities for encouraging students' critical
and creative thinking skills. To determine the likely target audience of each of the three information
sources, students will have to analyze tone, word usage, and presentation style in each source. Students
will then have to use this analysis to draw conclusions about the target audiences. Analysis and drawing
conclusions based on evidence are higher-order processes on the continuum of thinking skills.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0007) This item requires the examinee to demonstrate
knowledge of strategies and activities for encouraging students' critical and creative thinking skills.
To determine the likely target audience of each of the three information sources, students will have
to analyze tone, word usage, and presentation style in each source. Students will then have to use this
analysis to draw conclusions about the target audiences. Analysis and drawing conclusions based on evidence
are higher-order processes on the continuum of thinking skills.
Question 5
5. Use the conversation below between a twelfth-grade student and a library media specialist to answer
the question that follows.
Student: Can you help me find a book or article about the Iron Range?
Library Media Specialist: I'm sure we can help you find a variety of sources that contain information
about the Iron Range. Is there any special reason that you need this information?
Student: I'm writing a research paper on the Range.
The library media specialist can provide the student with the most appropriate resources for the specific
information needed by asking which of the following questions next?
- "Do you have a list of keywords related to the Iron Range to use in searches?"
- "Which aspects of the Iron Range would you like to focus on?"
- "Were you assigned the Iron Range as a research topic or did you choose it yourself?"
- "Have you already conducted any research on the Iron Range?"
Answer to question 5
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0007) When a student has
an overly broad topic for a research assignment, the library media specialist can guide the student
to the most appropriate resources by having the student narrow the topic to one or more specific subtopics.
This strategy will prevent the student from having to do an extensive amount of reading to find relevant
information.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0007) When a student has an overly broad topic
for a research assignment, the library media specialist can guide the student to the most appropriate
resources by having the student narrow the topic to one or more specific subtopics. This strategy will
prevent the student from having to do an extensive amount of reading to find relevant information.
Question 6
6. An elementary school library media specialist has been asked to provide an extension activity for
second-grade students who are conducting research on various animals. The teacher would like the students
to use critical-thinking skills in the activity. Which of the following activities is the most appropriate?
- alphabetizing a list of animals
- illustrating a picture of an animal
- classifying and sorting animals into categories
- browsing a picture file of animals in a database
Answer to question 6
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0007) One strategy that requires
critical thinking is to classify and categorize. It requires students to understand and apply a set
of rules. Students think and self-question what animal should go where, and why.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0007) One strategy that requires critical thinking
is to classify and categorize. It requires students to understand and apply a set of rules. Students
think and self-question what animal should go where, and why.
Question 7
7. A library media specialist is working with high school students who are searching for information
about potential colleges to attend. The students need to be able to identify a range of schools and
evaluate them based on individually ranked criteria. Which of the following approaches best enables
students to practice the full cycle of information literacy skills as they determine which colleges
to pursue?
- researching blogs written by students at each college to read about their experiences
- completing a fill-in-the-blank graphic organizer with standard questions for each college after viewing
each college's website
- interviewing parents about acceptable college options and then using an online college-matching tool
to locate colleges that meet those criteria
- completing an online college-matching quiz and then using books and websites to research and rank important
factors among the institutions identified
Answer to question 7
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0007) Beginning with an online
college-matching site streamlines the process of locating possible matches, while the subsequent research
and evaluation needed to determine how well each option meets stated criteria in comparison with one
another provide practical experience regarding the gathering, selection, and evaluation of information.
None of the other options provides experience with as many stages of the information literacy process.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0007) Beginning with an online college-matching
site streamlines the process of locating possible matches, while the subsequent research and evaluation
needed to determine how well each option meets stated criteria in comparison with one another provide
practical experience regarding the gathering, selection, and evaluation of information. None of the
other options provides experience with as many stages of the information literacy process.
Question 8
8. A high school student who is working on a research project is having trouble efficiently determining
the relevance of the articles found in an academic database search. Which of the following strategies
by the library media specialist would best help the student with this part of the research process?
- suggesting the student read the abstracts of the articles before reading the full text of an article
- recommending that the student use a different resource to search for relevant articles
- asking the student to conduct general Internet searches for the articles to find summaries of them
- advising the student to skim the bibliographies or works cited for the articles
Answer to question 8
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0008) This item requires
the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for selecting an appropriate resource for locating
specific and useful information in various types of resources and for applying accepted criteria for
evaluating information. An abstract is a brief summary of a research article that always appears at
the beginning of an article. Reading the abstracts of the articles allows the student to sift through
a number of articles to identify those that are most likely to be relevant to the student's research
without having to read the full text.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0008) This item requires the examinee to demonstrate
knowledge of strategies for selecting an appropriate resource for locating specific and useful information
in various types of resources and for applying accepted criteria for evaluating information. An abstract
is a brief summary of a research article that always appears at the beginning of an article. Reading
the abstracts of the articles allows the student to sift through a number of articles to identify those
that are most likely to be relevant to the student's research without having to read the full text.
Question 9
9. As part of a science project, a fifth-grade student is conducting an Internet search for information
about cardinals. Search results number in the hundreds of thousands and include a large number of sites
that are unrelated to the student's topic. The student asks the library media specialist for advice
on how to find sites that are more relevant to the topic. The library media specialist's most appropriate
response would be to:
- suggest the student search the online catalog for resources instead of the Internet.
- encourage the student to try again using a different Internet search engine.
- help the student narrow the Internet search by adding additional keywords.
- explain that the student should only consider Internet sites that end in .edu.
Answer to question 9
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0008) One reason for excessively
large numbers of search results is that the topic or keyword being searched is too broad. A second reason
for an overabundance of results is too few keywords. In helping the student narrow the search by adding
more keywords, the library media specialist is assisting the student in eliminating results such as
sports teams named cardinals, retail outlets named cardinals, and religious references to cardinals.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0008) One reason for excessively large numbers
of search results is that the topic or keyword being searched is too broad. A second reason for an overabundance
of results is too few keywords. In helping the student narrow the search by adding more keywords, the
library media specialist is assisting the student in eliminating results such as sports teams named
cardinals, retail outlets named cardinals, and religious references to cardinals.
Question 10
10. When assigning students to write a research paper, a teacher should instruct students to include
citations in their paper when they:
- explain an unfamiliar or esoteric term.
- relate common knowledge.
- use a source for background information.
- paraphrase an author's ideas.
Answer to question 10
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0008) This item requires
the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of activities for helping students understand and follow legal
and ethical guidelines in the use of information and technology resources, including guidelines for
preparing a bibliography or other necessary documentation, recognizing and avoiding plagiarism, and
encouraging Internet safety. The works, words, and ideas of an author are the author's intellectual
property. Failing to cite another's works, words, or ideas without attribution is considered plagiarism.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0008) This item requires the examinee to demonstrate
knowledge of activities for helping students understand and follow legal and ethical guidelines in the
use of information and technology resources, including guidelines for preparing a bibliography or other
necessary documentation, recognizing and avoiding plagiarism, and encouraging Internet safety. The works,
words, and ideas of an author are the author's intellectual property. Failing to cite another's works,
words, or ideas without attribution is considered plagiarism.
Question 11
11. A student is writing an essay comparing and contrasting two economic systems that the student will
present to an audience of peers. The student plans to use visual aids to support the presentation. Which
of the following graphic organizers would best help the student in communicating the information in
the essay?
- Venn diagram
- pie chart
- spider map
- word web
Answer to question 11
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0008) This item requires
the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for organizing and presenting information in a manner
that clearly communicates what has been learned and of considerations in selecting an appropriate format
to communicate information. The student's compare-and-contrast essay seeks to describe the ways two
economic systems are alike and the ways they are different. A Venn diagram generally consists of two
intersecting circles. To support the student's essay, each circle would include the characteristics
of one economic system. The area where the circles intersect would include the characteristics that
the economic systems have in common. The remaining area of each circle would include the characteristics
the economic systems do not have in common.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0008) This item requires the examinee to demonstrate
knowledge of strategies for organizing and presenting information in a manner that clearly communicates
what has been learned and of considerations in selecting an appropriate format to communicate information.
The student's compare-and-contrast essay seeks to describe the ways two economic systems are alike and
the ways they are different. A Venn diagram generally consists of two intersecting circles. To support
the student's essay, each circle would include the characteristics of one economic system. The area
where the circles intersect would include the characteristics that the economic systems have in common.
The remaining area of each circle would include the characteristics the economic systems do not have
in common.
Question 12
12. A middle school library media specialist is teaching a series of lessons on strategies for locating
and accessing information using a search engine. Which of the following lesson topics is the most effective
and age-appropriate for teaching students how to make adjustments to a search in response to results
that are too broad, too numerous, or both?
- finding Web directories
- using Boolean operators
- locating invisible Web resources
- identifying different search engines
Answer to question 12
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0008) Combining search terms
with words such as and, or, and not (Boolean operators) is an effective and
age-appropriate topic for a series of lessons on locating and accessing information via a search engine.
Boolean operators are particularly appropriate for refining a search in response to results that are
too broad or numerous.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0008) Combining search terms with words such as
and, or, and not (Boolean operators) is an effective and age-appropriate
topic for a series of lessons on locating and accessing information via a search engine. Boolean operators
are particularly appropriate for refining a search in response to results that are too broad or numerous.
Question 13
13. Which of the following strategies would be most effective in promoting students' understanding and
retention of new vocabulary associated with a specific unit of study?
- using weekly quizzes to assess students' knowledge of newly introduced vocabulary
- having students look up definitions of new vocabulary in both a textbook glossary and a standard dictionary
- providing multiple opportunities for students to use new vocabulary in discussions
- encouraging students to enter new vocabulary in a personal dictionary of words they find interesting
or useful
Answer to question 13
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0009) Research has shown
that it is the correct use of a term in conversation that enhances students' working knowledge of vocabulary.
By providing multiple opportunities for students to use subject-specific vocabulary during discussions,
the educator is enabling students to deepen their understandings of the particular vocabulary learned
as well as the use of the new words in subject-specific contexts.
Correct Response: C (Objective 0009) Research has shown that it is the correct
use of a term in conversation that enhances students' working knowledge of vocabulary. By providing
multiple opportunities for students to use subject-specific vocabulary during discussions, the educator
is enabling students to deepen their understandings of the particular vocabulary learned as well as
the use of the new words in subject-specific contexts.
Question 14
14. A student is reading a text and encounters a section that does not make sense to the student. Which
of the following strategies would be most appropriate for the student to use in this situation to improve
and repair reading comprehension?
- using contextual analysis to deduce the meaning of any unfamiliar words encountered in the section
- making connections between concepts previously read or learned and those presented in the section
- identifying the topic sentences throughout the section and analyzing each of the sentences syntactically
- increasing reading rate and fluency by skipping over the parts of the section that are most confusing
Answer to question 14
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) The student's comprehension
difficulty is limited to a particular section of a text, therefore, the student has understood the sections
of text that preceded the problematic section. Typically, the concepts and information presented in
different sections of an informational passage are related and are organized so that foundational concepts
and information are presented first. Making connections between concepts in the confusing section and
concepts previously learned in earlier sections is an effective metacognitive strategy for actively
constructing meaning during reading. The concepts previously presented are likely to provide relevant
background information to support comprehension of the difficult section.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) The student's comprehension difficulty is
limited to a particular section of a text, therefore, the student has understood the sections of text
that preceded the problematic section. Typically, the concepts and information presented in different
sections of an informational passage are related and are organized so that foundational concepts and
information are presented first. Making connections between concepts in the confusing section and concepts
previously learned in earlier sections is an effective metacognitive strategy for actively constructing
meaning during reading. The concepts previously presented are likely to provide relevant background
information to support comprehension of the difficult section.
Question 15
15. Use the passage below to answer the question that follows.
The group of campers were start underline unperturbed end underline by the approaching storm clouds; they laughed and made jokes.
Yet they started to set up the tents with great speed. When the storm finally broke, they were all snugly
start underline ensconced
end underline in their sleeping bags, like foxes in their dens. They passed the time telling
stories and singing songs.
A fourth-grade student does not understand the words unperturbed and ensconced and
asks the library media specialist for help. The library media specialist can best help the student understand
these words by teaching the student which of the following strategies?
- pausing frequently to paraphrase text
- drawing connections between the words and personal experience
- using context clues to determine meaning
- thinking of similar-sounding words that might have similar meanings
Answer to question 15
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0009) The context of a passage
is the other words and sentences around the unfamiliar word. In this passage, the phrase "laughed and
made jokes" provides a clue by describing behaviors associated with the word unperturbed. The
student can guess the meaning of the word ensconced from the modifying adverb "snugly" and the analogy
to "foxes in their dens."
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0009) The context of a passage is the other words
and sentences around the unfamiliar word. In this passage, the phrase "laughed and made jokes" provides
a clue by describing behaviors associated with the word unperturbed. The student can guess
the meaning of the word ensconced from the modifying adverb "snugly" and the analogy to "foxes in their
dens."
Question 16
16. A sixth-grade student is having a hard time following a passage about the development of the international
space station. Which of the following strategies by the library media specialist is likely to be most
effective in promoting the student's ability to make sense of the passage?
- having the student reread the passage several times
- showing the student how to construct a timeline of the passage
- teaching the student how to skim for information in a passage
- suggesting that the student read the passage aloud to a peer
Answer to question 16
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) A timeline is an effective
tool for organizing a series of events into chronological order. In developing a timeline of the passage,
the student can start at the beginning and work forward or at the end and work backward, identifying
key milestones and placing them in chronological order on a continuum. Once the chronological order
is established, the student can then add facts related to each event. When completed, the timeline offers
the student a visual representation of events surrounding the development of the international space
station.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) A timeline is an effective tool for organizing
a series of events into chronological order. In developing a timeline of the passage, the student can
start at the beginning and work forward or at the end and work backward, identifying key milestones
and placing them in chronological order on a continuum. Once the chronological order is established,
the student can then add facts related to each event. When completed, the timeline offers the student
a visual representation of events surrounding the development of the international space station.
Question 17
17. The overall reading proficiency of students at a high school has slipped below grade level. Which
of the following strategies would be most appropriate for the library media specialist to use in helping
address this issue?
- creating an inviting area in the information media center where students can talk about what they are
reading
- focusing on reading instead of research skills when students come to the information media center
- implementing weekly intensive reading instruction for students in the information media center
- acquiring a broad selection of high-interest materials at students' independent reading levels
Answer to question 17
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0009) According to research,
students who read high-interest books consistently show higher levels of reading comprehension. By providing
high-interest books at the appropriate level, the library media specialist is more likely to engage
students in reading. Students who read more tend to improve their reading skills.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0009) According to research, students who read
high-interest books consistently show higher levels of reading comprehension. By providing high-interest
books at the appropriate level, the library media specialist is more likely to engage students in reading.
Students who read more tend to improve their reading skills.
Question 18
18. The library media specialist is working with a group of middle school students who are writing research-based
opinion articles, proposing solutions to a problem in the town. Which of the following strategies best
enables these students to develop metacognitive reading strategies while conducting this research and
writing the resulting opinion pieces?
- making hypotheses about the content of an article before reading it
- developing a short list of questions to think about an author's point of view
- discussing, as a class, whether or not the solution offered by another student is correct
- drawing a picture that illustrates the solution offered in the opinion article written by the student
Answer to question 18
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) This approach uses
metacognitive strategies to help students think about what they have read and better understand it by
developing clarifying questions for the purpose of gaining deeper understanding.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) This approach uses metacognitive strategies
to help students think about what they have read and better understand it by developing clarifying questions
for the purpose of gaining deeper understanding.
Question 19
19. The library media specialist is working with a group of elementary school students in an urban school.
The students are reading a book about the Dust Bowl. How can the library media specialist best employ
learning strategies that develop the background knowledge needed to help students better understand
this time period in U.S. history while also developing needed reading skills?
- teaching students to take notes about the book and adding a journal entry after reading each chapter
- having students read picture books about the Dust Bowl and write summaries about what they have read
- providing vocabulary-building worksheets that help students learn about the agricultural process used
during the Dust Bowl
- using photographs, audio, and video clips to make the experience of living through the Dust Bowl more
real to the students
Answer to question 19
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) By reading multiple
shorter books about the Dust Bowl and writing summaries of each, the students are simultaneously filling
in gaps in background knowledge and developing the needed skill of summarization.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0009) By reading multiple shorter books about the
Dust Bowl and writing summaries of each, the students are simultaneously filling in gaps in background
knowledge and developing the needed skill of summarization.
Question 20
20.
A table is entitled December Activities. Review the table and answer the question that follow.
December Activities
|
Date
|
Teacher/Team
|
Activity
|
12/4
|
Grade 7 Language Arts
|
Located resources to support unit on poetry
|
12/7
|
Blackstone
|
Taught lesson on keyword searches
|
12/10
|
Arndt
|
Co-taught lesson on citing sources
|
12/16
|
Grade 6
|
Helped plan interdisciplinary unit
|
12/18
|
Grade 8 Social Studies
|
Taught lesson on database use
|
A middle school library media specialist keeps a chart of activities like the one shown above for each
month of the school year. This practice is likely to be most useful for which of the following purposes?
- identifying those members of the instructional staff who would be most qualified to serve on an information
media program advisory committee
- collecting data about the services provided to instructional staff by the information media program
- assessing informally how proficient members of the instructional staff are with regard to information
and technology literacy
- encouraging instructional staff to engage in more frequent collaboration with information media staff
Answer to question 20
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0010) Keeping a log of instructional
activities helps with assessment of the overall program in terms of topics taught and teachers assisted.
Such a record can help with overall program planning and targeted instruction as well as with assessment.
In general, targeted record-keeping is an important component of an overall library media center assessment
strategy, which can be an important component of advocating for additional resources or demonstrating
the effectiveness of the program that exists.
Correct Response: B (Objective 0010) Keeping a log of instructional activities
helps with assessment of the overall program in terms of topics taught and teachers assisted. Such a
record can help with overall program planning and targeted instruction as well as with assessment. In
general, targeted record-keeping is an important component of an overall library media center assessment
strategy, which can be an important component of advocating for additional resources or demonstrating
the effectiveness of the program that exists.
Question 21
21. Which of the following strategies is most effective for evaluating how well the school's information
media program is serving the needs of the community?
- surveying students, teachers, and other stakeholders about their perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses
of the information media program
- comparing the resources and policies of the information media program with the resources and policies
of other programs in the same school district
- asking the principal to visit the information media center for a period of one week to observe its
use by students and teachers
- calculating the number of resources per student in all formats in the information media program's collection
Answer to question 21
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0010) This item requires
the examinee to select appropriate strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of policies, procedures,
and operations of an information media program and for communicating evaluation results to the learning
community. Surveys can provide essential qualitative data to consider in an overall evaluation of the
information media program. The program's most important priority is to serve the school community, and
survey results provide insight into what resources and services school community members believe to
be most important for their needs.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0010) This item requires the examinee to select
appropriate strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of policies, procedures, and operations of an
information media program and for communicating evaluation results to the learning community. Surveys
can provide essential qualitative data to consider in an overall evaluation of the information media
program. The program's most important priority is to serve the school community, and survey results
provide insight into what resources and services school community members believe to be most important
for their needs.
Question 22
22. A library media specialist is organizing a committee of stakeholders to develop action plans for
addressing the long-term goals of the information media program. It is most essential for the library
media specialist to recruit committee members who:
- have experience and are familiar with group dynamics.
- represent the interests of the school's various demographic groups.
- volunteer their time and have flexible schedules.
- possess background knowledge of library science.
Answer to question 22
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0010) This item requires
the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for collaborating with teachers, administrators,
students, and others in the learning community to develop long-term strategic plans for the information
media program. Each of the school's demographic groups is likely to have a unique perspective regarding
the long-term direction for the information media program. Each group also has different needs and priorities.
Recruiting members who represent these diverse interests promotes collaboration and helps ensure that
actions addressing the long-term goals of the information media program are responsive to the needs
of the learning community.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0010) This item requires the examinee to demonstrate
knowledge of strategies for collaborating with teachers, administrators, students, and others in the
learning community to develop long-term strategic plans for the information media program. Each of the
school's demographic groups is likely to have a unique perspective regarding the long-term direction
for the information media program. Each group also has different needs and priorities. Recruiting members
who represent these diverse interests promotes collaboration and helps ensure that actions addressing
the long-term goals of the information media program are responsive to the needs of the learning community.
Question 23
23. An elementary school library media specialist regularly analyzes circulation data for the information
media center. This analysis is likely to be most effective in helping the library media specialist:
- allocate expenditures for new resources in a fair and appropriate way.
- compare circulation for curricular needs with circulation for personal needs.
- determine the most appropriate circulation period for various resources.
- identify portions of the information media collection in need of weeding.
Answer to question 23
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0010) Circulation reports
provide data on circulation transactions. These data can be disaggregated by Dewey Decimal category
to illuminate which sections are least circulated. Lack of use is one criterion in determining whether
to weed a resource from the collection.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0010) Circulation reports provide data on circulation
transactions. These data can be disaggregated by Dewey Decimal category to illuminate which sections
are least circulated. Lack of use is one criterion in determining whether to weed a resource from the
collection.
Question 24
24. Which of the following information media program policies is most consistent with the principles
of professional library practice?
- The information media center is reserved for teachers' use during lunch periods.
- Members of the school community participate in the development of goals and action plans for the information
media program.
- The information media program will charge a small fee for the use of electronic readers.
- Students must provide written permission from parents/guardians to check out controversial materials
from the information media collection.
Answer to question 24
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0010) Stakeholder involvement
is important for helping ensure that the information media program meets the needs of the school community.
One way many information media programs achieve this outcome is to establish a library advisory committee.
A library advisory committee usually includes members of the school community who represent the diverse
groups and interests within the school. The committee's role is to work with the library media specialist
to establish a vision for the information media program and create and implement plans for achieving
that vision.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0010) Stakeholder involvement is important for
helping ensure that the information media program meets the needs of the school community. One way many
information media programs achieve this outcome is to establish a library advisory committee. A library
advisory committee usually includes members of the school community who represent the diverse groups
and interests within the school. The committee's role is to work with the library media specialist to
establish a vision for the information media program and create and implement plans for achieving that
vision.
Question 25
25. How can the library media specialist most effectively learn about the recreational and informational
needs of members of the learning community?
- determining which materials are checked out most frequently
- looking at school district and school priorities and goals for the next five years
- regularly surveying students and teachers about interests and reading habits
- examining materials available at the local public library and talking with librarians there
Answer to question 25
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0010) Conducting regular
surveys of students and teachers, both formally and informally, provides an ongoing mechanism for determining
current informational and recreational needs of the learning community in a format that also allows
for tracking trends and changes over time.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0010) Conducting regular surveys of students and
teachers, both formally and informally, provides an ongoing mechanism for determining current informational
and recreational needs of the learning community in a format that also allows for tracking trends and
changes over time.
Question 26
26. A middle school information media center has outgrown its current space and is moving to a larger
room within the school. The library media specialist plans to discuss possible physical arrangements
for the relocated information media center with teachers before making a final decision. Which of the
following questions should guide these discussions?
- Which arrangement will best facilitate full access to resources and technologies by students and staff?
- Which arrangement is most likely to increase overall circulation of resources and technologies?
- Which arrangement will best facilitate access to information media center staff for consultation?
- Which arrangement is likely to be most visually pleasing to students and staff?
Answer to question 26
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0011) The information media
center should be a focal point of its school, and the center's design should be aesthetically fitting,
matching the functions of the library media program. The main function of any school library media program
is the promotion of full and easy access to information resources. The library media specialist's primary
responsibility in facilities management, then, is developing a safe, functional, and attractive facility
that promotes easy and full access to resources and technologies by students and staff.
Correct Response: A (Objective 0011) The information media center should be a focal
point of its school, and the center's design should be aesthetically fitting, matching the functions
of the library media program. The main function of any school library media program is the promotion
of full and easy access to information resources. The library media specialist's primary responsibility
in facilities management, then, is developing a safe, functional, and attractive facility that promotes
easy and full access to resources and technologies by students and staff.
Question 27
27. A library media specialist notices that an experienced paraprofessional has been performing unsatisfactorily.
The library media specialist meets with the paraprofessional to address the unsatisfactory performance
and to review the paraprofessional's expected tasks as outlined in the paraprofessional's job description.
At the meeting, the specialist restates the expectations and discusses strategies for improvement. After
two weeks, the specialist sees no significant improvement in the paraprofessional's performance. Which
of the following steps should the library media specialist take next?
- initiating a formal 90-day probationary period for the paraprofessional to improve his or her performance
- asking other staff to monitor the paraprofessional's performance and provide corrective feedback as
needed
- documenting the paraprofessional's performance and consulting with the principal or district library
coordinator on the issue
- asking an unbiased third party to observe the paraprofessional's performance and make a recommendation
for retaining or dismissing the paraprofessional
Answer to question 27
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0011) The library media specialist
took an appropriate course of action in addressing the issues directly with the paraprofessional and
providing guidance on how to improve. Because the paraprofessional's performance did not improve after
these preliminary steps, there is an increased risk of dismissal. Dismissal or other disciplinary action
must be based on sound evidence, thus the need to begin documenting the paraprofessional's performance.
The library media specialist cannot take action in a unilateral way; the relevant administrators must
be involved in the process.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0011) The library media specialist took an appropriate
course of action in addressing the issues directly with the paraprofessional and providing guidance
on how to improve. Because the paraprofessional's performance did not improve after these preliminary
steps, there is an increased risk of dismissal. Dismissal or other disciplinary action must be based
on sound evidence, thus the need to begin documenting the paraprofessional's performance. The library
media specialist cannot take action in a unilateral way; the relevant administrators must be involved
in the process.
Question 28
28. Which of the following situations is likely to have the most significant effect on the budget priorities
for a high school information media program?
- a large number of new teachers
- curriculum changes in multiple subject areas
- loss of a support staff position
- a 20 percent increase in the student population
Answer to question 28
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0011) One of the central
purposes of the information media program is to support the school curriculum. When there are changes
in curriculum, the library media specialist must often acquire materials for different topics and areas
of emphasis. The expense of acquiring the new materials forces a reassessment of budget priorities to
ensure that adequate funding is available.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0011) One of the central purposes of the information
media program is to support the school curriculum. When there are changes in curriculum, the library
media specialist must often acquire materials for different topics and areas of emphasis. The expense
of acquiring the new materials forces a reassessment of budget priorities to ensure that adequate funding
is available.
Question 29
29. Which of the following questions is most important for a library media specialist to consider when
making changes in the design of the information media center?
- Is the lighting in the information media center adequate without being too bright and distracting?
- Should the reference materials and Internet stations be located in a particular area of the information
media center?
- What percentage of the information media center's physical space should be reserved for special collections?
- Do the physical characteristics of the information media center facilitate access to resources by all
patrons?
Answer to question 29
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0011) The Americans with
Disabilities Act requires facilities to be physically accessible to individuals with special needs such
as wheelchairs or crutches for mobility. This requirement also applies to the inside areas of the facilities.
In the case of the information media center, the considerations may include, among others, the width
of aisles and the height of computer stations.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0011) The Americans with Disabilities Act requires
facilities to be physically accessible to individuals with special needs such as wheelchairs or crutches
for mobility. This requirement also applies to the inside areas of the facilities. In the case of the
information media center, the considerations may include, among others, the width of aisles and the
height of computer stations.
Question 30
30. An elementary school library media specialist wants to manage the space in the information media
center to promote productive and focused learning. The current arrangement of the shelves and furnishings
has not proven to be effective in this area. Which of the following information should the library media
specialist analyze before making changes in the management of information media center space?
- number of patrons visiting the information media center each week
- sections of the information media collection used most frequently
- current traffic patterns within the information media center
- existing signage in the information media center
Answer to question 30
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0011) Supporting productive
and focused learning requires areas where students can work individually or in small groups without
distractions or being distracted. An analysis of the current traffic patterns in the information media
center would allow the library media specialist to identify locations away from noise and movement for
individual work areas as well as locations for small-group work that are somewhat busier but not in
the way of essential activities such as checking out materials.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0011) Supporting productive and focused learning
requires areas where students can work individually or in small groups without distractions or being
distracted. An analysis of the current traffic patterns in the information media center would allow
the library media specialist to identify locations away from noise and movement for individual work
areas as well as locations for small-group work that are somewhat busier but not in the way of essential
activities such as checking out materials.
Question 31
31. A middle school library media specialist plans to ask school administrators that the information
media program's upcoming budget include funds for two new digital projectors. The library media specialist
can best justify this budget request by providing administrators with information showing:
- more requests for the projectors the information media center has than can be filled in any given week.
- specific areas of the curriculum that could be supported by additional projectors.
- innovative ways other schools are utilizing projectors to encourage teachers' use of technology in
instruction.
- expected costs of frequent repairs and replacement parts for extremely worn projectors.
Answer to question 31
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0011) Maintaining records
of the daily requests for projectors is an effective way of monitoring and collecting data on usage
of the equipment. Budget requests for costly equipment are more likely to be considered and granted
when there is a high likelihood that the equipment will be consistently used in ways that are related
to student learning.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0011) Maintaining records of the daily requests
for projectors is an effective way of monitoring and collecting data on usage of the equipment. Budget
requests for costly equipment are more likely to be considered and granted when there is a high likelihood
that the equipment will be consistently used in ways that are related to student learning.
Question 32
32. A middle school library media specialist has been asked to schedule meeting space for students participating
in an academic bowl and in the eighth-grade Spanish club. There are 24 academic bowl students who work
in teams of four, and each team needs access to resources to verify answers to their practice questions.
The Spanish club students need space to participate in conversational dialogue as part of their preparation
for a trip to Mexico. Which of the following plans best shows the library media specialist considering
the most efficient use of space when assigning groups to designated areas of the library media center?
- having the Spanish club students sit at the rows of computers, rearranging the chairs as needed to
allow for dialogue, and asking the academic bowl students to use tables located in between the nonfiction
and reference sections
- allowing the group that signed up to use the library media center first to use the space and asking
the other group to find an alternative space to provide fair use of the library to all members of the
learning community
- arranging the library media center's space to facilitate access to resources for the academic bowl
students and allowing the Spanish club to utilize the leftover space
- asking the Spanish club to use the hallway to practice their conversational Spanish skills since it
will be a loud activity and inviting the academic bowl students to use the space that is most conveniently
located to their needed resources
Answer to question 32
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0011) When scheduling a space
for groups, the library media specialist determines the most appropriate location to support the groups'
objectives. Physical arrangement that supports collaboration and independent work provides the learning
community with focused and productive learning. Permitting flexible use of the library's resources,
such as the furniture, allows each group to make functional use of the library.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0011) When scheduling a space for groups, the library
media specialist determines the most appropriate location to support the groups' objectives. Physical
arrangement that supports collaboration and independent work provides the learning community with focused
and productive learning. Permitting flexible use of the library's resources, such as the furniture,
allows each group to make functional use of the library.
Question 33
33. A middle school library has not been staffed with a certified library media specialist for three
months. This deficiency has impacted the hours of availability by limiting access to only those students
who are accompanied by a teacher. A student would like to use the library to research pollution for
a science project, but his science class is not scheduled to come to the library. The student is unsure
of how he can access the library and asks the principal. Which action should the school administrator
take in order to comply with the principles of the Library Bill of Rights?
- inform all patrons in the learning community of when the media center is available via school announcements
- direct support staff to maintain an updated collection with relevant resources for fair accessibility
- identify academic student needs as paramount in determining applicable access to the media center
- work to provide equal and equitable access to library services, materials, and facilities
Answer to question 33
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0011) Library policies and
procedures that provide equal and equitable access to all library resources are in alignment with the
Library Bill of Rights.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0011) Library policies and procedures that provide
equal and equitable access to all library resources are in alignment with the Library Bill of Rights.
Question 34
34. The most important rationale for conducting an annual inventory of the school information media
collection is that the inventory process provides an opportunity for the library media specialist to:
- determine how best to utilize shelf and storage space in the library media center.
- ensure that resources are in the correct order on the shelves.
- assess the effectiveness of procedures for safeguarding resources against theft.
- examine the age, currency, and condition of resources.
Answer to question 34
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0012) The library media specialist
must maintain an accurate inventory of all items associated with the library media program, including
hardware, software, and furnishings. Maintaining a routine practice for the evaluation of the age, currency,
and condition of all resources is an important practice in the organization and circulation of information
media resources. A scheduled inventory is an excellent strategy for this necessary practice.
Correct Response: D (Objective 0012) The library media specialist must maintain
an accurate inventory of all items associated with the library media program, including hardware, software,
and furnishings. Maintaining a routine practice for the evaluation of the age, currency, and condition
of all resources is an important practice in the organization and circulation of information media resources.
A scheduled inventory is an excellent strategy for this necessary practice.
Question 35
35. According to the Dewey Decimal System, the works of William Shakespeare would be contained in which
of the following sections?
- 600– through 699
- 700– through 799
- 800– through 899
- 900– through 999
Answer to question 35
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: C. (Objective 0012) The Dewey Decimal System
stipulates that call numbers 800–899 are assigned to literature.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0012) The Dewey Decimal System stipulates that
call numbers 800 through 899 are assigned to literature.
Question 36
36. Collection mapping is a process used primarily for which of the following purposes?
- finding gaps in curriculum-related resources contained in the information media collection
- identifying resources that are incorrectly entered into the information media collection's management
system
- finding resources in the information media collection that are shelved in the wrong areas
- identifying resources in the information media collection that overlap with the local public library's
collection
Answer to question 36
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: A. (Objective 0012) A collection map is
a visual representation of the breadth and depth and strengths and weaknesses in an information media
collection. It illustrates the distribution of resources in the various areas and can be easily cross-referenced
with curriculum standards to determine coverage.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0012) A collection map is a visual representation
of the breadth and depth and strengths and weaknesses in an information media collection. It illustrates
the distribution of resources in the various areas and can be easily cross-referenced with curriculum
standards to determine coverage.
Question 37
37. In creating a collection development policy for an information media program, the library media
specialist should include which of the following information?
- approved vendors who will provide selected resources
- demographic data for the student population served by the program
- school personnel who provided input into the policy
- bibliographic aids and lists that should be consulted when selecting resources
Answer to question 37
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0012) The library media specialist,
staff, and others who help develop the collection policy will not be familiar with all resources being
considered for selection. It is important to rely on reputable bibliographic aids and lists that provide
reviews of resources as well as awards and honors received. The collection development policy is a public
document and as such, a list of these tools should be included with the selection criteria for information
media resources.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0012) The library media specialist, staff, and
others who help develop the collection policy will not be familiar with all resources being considered
for selection. It is important to rely on reputable bibliographic aids and lists that provide reviews
of resources as well as awards and honors received. The collection development policy is a public document
and as such, a list of these tools should be included with the selection criteria for information media
resources.
Question 38
38. Which of the following methods would best help a library media specialist determine patterns of
use for Internet computer stations in the information media center?
- keeping a running count of the number of students who use the computers each day
- providing a log at each computer where students record their name, grade, and research topic
- reviewing the browser history for each computer at the end of the school day
- surveying students on a quarterly basis regarding their use of the computers
Answer to question 38
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0012) Providing a log at
each computer and having students record their name, grade, and research topic would yield data about
the frequency of use by different grade levels. The log would also yield data about the content students
are researching. These data can help the library media specialist determine, for example, that fourth-grade
students are using computers twice as often as fifth-grade students or that more research is being conducted
on social studies topics than on science topics.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0012) Providing a log at each computer and having
students record their name, grade, and research topic would yield data about the frequency of use by
different grade levels. The log would also yield data about the content students are researching. These
data can help the library media specialist determine, for example, that fourth-grade students are using
computers twice as often as fifth-grade students or that more research is being conducted on social
studies topics than on science topics.
Question 39
39. A library media specialist asks teachers and staff to complete a questionnaire at the end of each
school year. The questionnaire asks responders to list subjects on which they would like to see more
books, to identify the most helpful resources in the library, and to describe how they use library resources
to plan a lesson or unit. Which of the following outcomes is most likely the primary benefit of the
library media specialist's using this questionnaire?
- enhancing the library media specialist's ability to evaluate the information media collection professionally
and objectively
- helping the library media specialist determine which teachers and staff are most familiar with the
library's information media collection
- assisting the library media specialist with weeding unused resources from the collection as part of
collection management procedures
- providing the library media specialist with insight into users' information and resource needs as part
of collection development policies
Answer to question 39
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: D. (Objective 0012) Collaboration with
the learning community is an essential step in developing and managing a collection that addresses the
needs of a diverse population and that supports the school's curriculum and goals. A questionnaire is
one method of collaboration between teachers, staff, and the library media specialist.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0012) Collaboration with the learning community
is an essential step in developing and managing a collection that addresses the needs of a diverse population
and that supports the school's curriculum and goals. A questionnaire is one method of collaboration
between teachers, staff, and the library media specialist.
Question 40
40. Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the Dewey Decimal System
of classification and the Library of Congress Classification system?
- Both classification systems are national systems.
- Both classification systems are enumerative, faceted systems.
- One system is based on folksonomies while the other is based on controlled vocabulary.
- One system is a universal classification system while the other is a subject-specific classification
system.
Answer to question 40
- Answer Enter to expand or collapse answer. Answer expanded
- Correct Response: B. (Objective 0012) Both the Dewey Decimal
system and the Library of Congress Classification system are enumerative and faceted systems for classification.
They both make use of facets at various points in the enumerative classification schedules.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0012) Both the Dewey Decimal system and the Library
of Congress Classification system are enumerative and faceted systems for classification. They both
make use of facets at various points in the enumerative classification schedules.