Lake County Schools honor media specialists during School Library Month

Superintendent Tiffany Scott recognized school media specialists and announced that six Lake County schools earned Florida Power Library School honors during the school board’s April 28 meeting.

The recognition took place as part of School Library Month. "April is school library month, a time where we celebrate the vital role of school libraries and media specialists play in supporting literacy, inquiry, and student achievement," Superintendent Tiffany Scott said.

Scott said the district’s school libraries function as "dynamic centers for creativity, collaboration, and academic" work and announced a short video celebrating the work of media specialists that would be released after the meeting. Instructional materials manager Kelly Dodd and program specialist Bridgette Marshburn were introduced to the board and invited forward for applause.

Board members praised media specialists’ role in student literacy and school culture. Dr. Luke, a board member, said he remembered his own child’s early attachment to a school librarian: "For the first 2 years, her favorite teacher was the school librarian." Other board members thanked media specialists for supporting teachers and students.

The board’s recognition highlighted the Florida Association for Supervisors of Media and the Florida Department of Education program that names Florida Power Library Schools; the district said six schools received that recognition this year. The district did not specify which six schools during the public remarks.

The board concluded the recognition and moved on to other agenda items.