Librarian careers

Parent Cafe
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<p>Actually, overseas, I already have a MA in literature, plus teaching certification in both regular and special ed. (Plus three computer programming languages and network administrator certification too. Long story and some interesting career turns along the way…)</p>

<p>I agree that the profession is changing a great deal. Librarianship isn’t just “working with books.” I’m not sure it ever was.</p>

<p>Fresno Mom–</p>

<p>Not all states require school librarians to have MLS/MLIS degrees.</p>

<p>For example, where I live school librarians must first be certified teachers (elementary or secondary). They then take an additional 5 graduate level courses to earn a school media center specialist endorsement. You should check with your state Office of Education to see how your state handles school librarianship. </p>

<p>Education degrees w/ media center specialist certification are credentialed by NCATE–
[NCATE</a> - National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education](<a href=“http://www.ncate.org/public/recognizedPrograms.aspx?ch=117]NCATE”>http://www.ncate.org/public/recognizedPrograms.aspx?ch=117)</p>

<p>But if you are interested in a 100% on-line MLS/MLIS degree, the ALA lists the following programs:</p>

<ol>
<li>Clarion University of Pennsylvania</li>
<li>Drexel University</li>
<li>Florida State University</li>
<li>North Carolina Central University</li>
<li>Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey</li>
<li>San Jose State University</li>
<li>Southern Connecticut State University</li>
<li>Texas Woman’s University (Conditional)</li>
<li>University of Alabama</li>
<li>University of Puerto Rico</li>
<li>University of Southern Mississippi</li>
<li>University of Tennessee</li>
<li>University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee</li>
<li>Wayne State University</li>
</ol>

<p>You may want to consider some other programs that have a limited on-campus requirement. (Some are little as 2 weeks over summer or Christmas break.)</p>

<p>The ALA has a searchable database of certified programs:</p>

<p>[ALA</a> | Directory of Accredited Programs](<a href=“ALA | Directory of Accredited Programs”>Searchable DB of ALA accredited programs | American Library Association)</p>

<hr>

<p>And volunteering in your school library is a great way to get a feel for the job!</p>

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<p>Update…</p>

<p>After volunteering at a school library for a couple of months, a library tech (i.e. school librarian) position became available in the district. I applied and was offered the job!</p>

<p>Besides the library stuff, I will be teaching a small group of English Language Learners, assisting with the school website, and coordinating events such as author visits etc.</p>

<p>I feel very blessed. If anyone has any questions, I’ll try my best to answer.</p>

<p>PS…there were other candidates that had paid library experience, so I wasn’t all that confident I would be selected. I think what made me stand out was the volunteer work. I was familiar with AR levels and the district’s software program. Also, the librarian I worked with gave a glowing recommendation! :-)</p>

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<p>I got a distance learning MLS degree from Syracuse in 1998. It was fantastic. The program is not entirely online, which I think is better because you meet your instructors and know your cohort. You go there in the summer for 1-4 weeks (the length of time depends on how many credits you wish to take but you must take the one week core course) and then in the fall and in the spring you go there for one weekend. It took me three summers and the two years between and I worked and was a mom in between that. I have been happily employed as a school library media specialist ever since. It was the best decision for me. I highly recommend it. Be prepared for the courses to be as much about technology as about books.</p>

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<p>“The Dewey Decimal System… What a scam that was!”

  • Kramer, in “The Library” </p>

<p>“She needs a little tenderness. She needs a little understanding. She needs a little Kramer.”

  • Kramer, in “The Library”</p>