A study examined the role of the school library media specialist; how that role is perceived by teachers, administrators, and the librarians themselves; and how teachers and librarians forge working relationships. According to a policy document issued by two professional societies, the school ibrary media specialist serves three roles: information specialist, teacher, and instructional consultant. A 161-item forced-choice survey, answered by 148 literacy professionals from elementary schools across the United States, revealed perceptions of the school library media specialists' roles, and insights into how teachers and librarians communicate and work together. Findings indicate that: the school library media specialists' role is highly valued; today's school library media specialist regularly practices the roles of information specialist and teacher; teachers and the school library media specialist work together in casual rather than systematic ways; and human qualities are most important for supporting good working relationships between teachers and the school library media specialist. (Contains 16 references and 6 tables of data. The survey instrument is attached.) (Author/RS)