Assessments by selected school library media specialists of required job competencies as compared to learned competencies

This study of school library media specialists who have graduated from three urban university programs within the last seven years and who are currently practicing examined job competencies. The research hypothesis: Is there a disparity between job competencies taught and job competencies as required by selected school library media graduates in their jobs: was investigated using an original instrument designed for this study.;Four major research questions were addressed: (1) Is there a difference in the job competencies as required by selected school library media graduates in their jobs relative to the length of time since they have completed their library science programs; (2) Is there a difference in the job competencies as required by selected school library media graduates in their jobs relative to the grade levels of the schools they serve; (3) Is there a difference in the job competencies as required by selected school library media graduates in their jobs relative to the amount of technical equipment they have available in their library media centers; and (4) Is there a difference in the job competencies as required by selected school library media graduates in their jobs relative to the length of time they have worked in their present position.;Results of the study indicated that library media specialists who responded on this survey show similar assessment of competencies taught to them or stressed in their library science programs regardless of length of time served in their present positions, years since graduation, or amount of equipment. Competencies used on the job, however, are perceived as needed "often" or "to a great extent" more frequently among respondents who had been out of the university program and in their positions longer than among those more recently graduated and employed. Several responses indicated further need for training at the university level in the areas of public relations, planning and teaching library skills, and practical daily management and organization.