LMS Practicum

Library Media Practicum: LM 5210

The LMS Practicum provides you with a supervised field experience in a school library. The purpose is to gain meaningful work experience by applying knowledge learned in previous coursework to the on-the-job situation. Commitment includes 120 hours (90 hours at one level, and 30 hours at an alternate level).

Preparing for your Practicum

Even if you are just beginning the school library program, it is not too early to start thinking about your practicum. This three-credit 16-week course, an application of what you have learned in your coursework, is taken as the final capstone of your Library certification or Master’s program.

LM 5210 is completed under the direction of a certified school librarian mentor and a university supervisor. Take a look at the digital Program Handbook that we use.

Aside from the required 120 hours  candidates reflect on their experiences through a learning log and final reflective paper and work on four key assignments:

  1. Student learning project;
  2. Professional development project;
  3. Dispositional self-assessment;
  4. ePortfolio [suggested artifacts by class].

To learn more about the key assessments, check out this detailed assessment document, including project descriptions and rubrics.

90 hours at one level + 30 hours at an alternate level = 120 hours total.

90 Hours

Our Library Practicum has been developed for those candidates working at a school in some capacity (librarians, digital learning specialists, teachers, para-educators, etc.). Candidates who are presently employed at a school may complete 90 hours of the practicum in their own buildings. These hours can be completed by teaching digital literacy, information literacy, and traditional literacy skills, observing and assisting a school librarian in practice, offering professional development to educators, attending meetings, reading professional and children’s books, working on this practicum, meeting with your mentor, etc. We would like for you to have a rich field experience and want you to teach, observe, and assist with a myriad of activities during this time.

30 Hours

The other 30 hours of your practicum are completed at an alternative level (elementary, middle, or high schools) which can include visiting school libraries at other levels, attending workshops, conferences, and webinars that address student learning at different levels, meeting with school librarians at your district at different levels, etc. Candidates who are not working in a school should plan to complete the process in a school with a certified school librarian.

Your mentor and your university supervisor are available to meet with you, to offer support, suggestions, and advice, and serve as guides as you primarily complete the practicum independently. You do not have to complete the 120 hours directly with your mentor or university supervisor.

Prerequisites

  1. All courses in your program must be completed or in progress prior to registering.
  2. GPA must be 3.0 or above.
  3. Document completion of the Mandatory Background Check #1. This is required for all candidates (including practicing educators) in any educator preparation program.
  4. Document completion of the Praxis Core requirement. This is required prior to registering for this course. If you are already certified to teach, you have met this requirement.
  5. Register for LM5210. You will need your advisor’s digital signature to approve your registration. 

Registration

Before you register for your practicum, you should e-mail your advisor to determine your eligibility for the course. Every course in the program must be completed before the practicum ends.

The practicum course is offered every fall and spring semester. All candidates must fill out the practicum placement form prior to registration. This should be e-mailed to the practicum coordinator/supervisor. Deadlines are October 1st for spring and March 1st for fall semesters.

During the practicum, you will meet online for sessions. The meetings are at the beginning and midpoint of the semester on a weekday evening.

Three Steps to Register

  1. Choose a mentor to work with. Find someone who is willing to work with you for one semester on gaining the practical knowledge of serving as a LMS in a school. [Responsibilities of the mentor]. Once you select a mentor, let the coordinator know who it is.
  2. Download and complete the Placement Confirmation Form using Adobe Reader and email it to the coordinator.
  3. Register for a 3-credit practicum: LM 5210. You will need your program coordinator’s digital signature to approve your registration.

For more information about the LMS Program, please contact:

Dr. Pam Harland
Program Coordinator
Plymouth State University, Department of Education Leadership Learning & Curriculum
pcharland(at)plymouth.edu