Allen Independent School District

Library Media Center - Vision and Mission

Mission Statement

Allen ISD Library Media Services
612 E. Bethany Drive
Allen, TX 75002

972.727.0511 (ph)

Mission Statement

The mission of the school Library Media Center is to help equip learners with the processes and skills needed in the information rich world of the 21st century. To carry out this mission, Library Media Specialists, administrators, and teachers will work together to ensure that learners can effectively locate, access, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and communicate information and ideas.

The integrated library program

provides access for learners to visit the library media center on an individual, small group, and large group basis as needed

allows information skills to be taught at the point of need in a meaningful context that meets a curricular objective

promotes a partnership between the Library Media Specialist and teachers to integrate the use of resources and facilities into the daily instructional plan

involves learners in making meaningful connections between classroom learning and information skills

allows learners and teachers to utilize the Library Media Center resources and current technology independently

provides staff development and training in the integrated library program

So that:

Learners will actively use the processes and skills to apply and communicate information as lifelong learners in a changing world.

Information Literacy

In the information world, we would like to equip every person with the tools needed to deal with the Information Age. We know that the types of tools people learn to use will help them cope either efficiently or inefficiently with a world that is growing so fast and so complex that it may be overwhelming to even the best of minds. Information Literacy has been defined as "the ability to access, evaluate, and use information from a variety of sources."

An information literate person accesses information:

recognizes the need for information
recognizes that accurate and complete information is the basis for intelligent decision making
formulates question based on information needs
identifies potential sources of information
develops successful search strategies
accesses print and technology-based sources of information
is a competent reader

An information literate person evaluates information

establishes authority
determines accuracy and relevance
recognizes point of view and opinion versus factual knowledge
rejects inaccurate and misleading information
creates new information to replace inaccurate or missing information as needed

An information literate person uses information

organizes information for practical application
integrates new information into an existing body of knowledge
applies information in critical thinking and problem solving