When responding to a request for a specific item, which resource should a library media specialist consult first?

Consulting the library media center's catalog is the most appropriate initial step for a library media specialist when responding to a request for a specific item. The catalog serves as a comprehensive inventory of all materials available within the library, including books, multimedia resources, and other items. It provides detailed information such as location, availability, and sometimes summaries or descriptions of the materials.

By checking the catalog first, the media specialist can quickly determine whether the requested item is part of their collection, which saves time and directly addresses the patron's needs. Other resources like TitleWave, a union list of serials, or an accession list might be helpful in specific contexts or for broader searches, but they are not the primary tools for immediate item retrieval within the library's own holdings. The catalog is designed specifically for this purpose, making it the most efficient choice for verifying the availability of a requested item.