Library media specialists needed in Oklahoma

Many schools in Oklahoma are having a hard time finding library media specialists since many are nearing retirement according to the state's director of library media.

Of the nearly 2,000 school libraries in the state only two percent have a library media specialist less than one-fifth of the time, which violates state standards and will affect their accreditation report.

Filling those positions is vital since library media specialists do much more than help students check out books, said Perri Applegate, director of library media for the state Education Department.

The Education Department of Oklahoma has teamed up with the Oklahoma Library Association to promote the profession of library media specialists and the importance it has in education.