NAIS Guidelines of Professional Practice for Librarians

Approved by NAIS in 2008

At the heart of the independent school library program is a professionally trained librarian who:

1. As a member of the faculty, partners with teaching colleagues to integrate information, technology, and research skills into the curriculum.
2. Motivates and guides students to appreciate literature and reading.
3. Teaches information-seeking, critical analysis of sources, citation methods, synthesis, and the ethical use of information, and is thus a strong resource to students, teachers, and the school.
4. Provides intellectual, physical, and virtual access to print and digital learning materials that are efficiently organized and conveniently stored according to accepted standards.
5. Evaluates continually the currency, quality, depth, and breadth of the collection.
6. Understands the school's curriculum so that he or she can develop a collection that coordinates with long-term teaching goals as well as current and emerging needs.
7. Maintains a facility that is active, inviting, and conducive to student and faculty learning.
8. Utilizes a variety of interactive tools to provide services, information, and tutorials to the learning community.
9. Encourages both formal and informal input from the school community into the types, quality, and format of the information resources provided.
10. Partners with the school administration to provide knowledge, vision, and leadership to plan for change and the future success of the library program and thus guarantees that the library facilities, collection, and staffing will continue to meet the needs of the school over time.
11. Assesses the effectiveness of the library media program on an ongoing, regular basis.
12. Leads the school community in support of the principles of intellectual freedom, free inquiry, and equal access to information.
13. Offers professional growth opportunities (e.g. workshops, reading groups) for faculty on topics of current and emerging importance.
14. Maintains a personal commitment to professional growth by remaining current in the fields of library and information science, education, and emerging technologies.