If I were speaking to new graduates about what to prepare for or what to plan on, I would absolutely recommend that future librarians become Google Certified Educators. With all of the options Google now offers for educators, it's easier than ever to use their tools in the classrooms and many districts are moving to Google sites as their main source for teacher web pages. As technology leaders in our schools, media specialists should have completed more extensive training than what is expected of the rest of the teaching staff. The applications for classrooms are endless, from reading surveys using Google forms to collaborative projects using Google slides. A Google site has integration possibilities beyond just Google tools, which is something not all sites offer. Social media integration and digital curation projects can all be tied in and shared easily, making a library's web page a one-stop shop for all thing library.
There are different levels of GCE training, but Level 1 certification is the place to start and, in my opinion, a must for all media leaders. The best part, for SC educators, is that it is FREE and it counts as technology hours towards re-certification and technology proficiency.
Most new graduates are well-versed enough in social media platforms to be able to create a powerful online presence in the local community, which serves to raise awareness and funding. A site that shows off the powerful activities happening inside the library, from a green-screen news production to a reading buddies program, and can encourage a spirit of partnership inside the building and out... that reaches farther than most tools can. Then you add in the fact that you'd be a leader in your educational community and could teach others how to use Google's tools- the reach is limitless.
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