Library Certification

[Guero]

Hello

I am interested in obtaining certification as a school Librarian and I am wondering if anyone knows which state offers the shortest route to online certification. I have already completed an M.Ed in Teaching and Learning, and Curriculum. I have long considered making this move and I find the large number of librarian jobs currently posted encouraging.

Any advice is appreciated!

[PsyGuy]

Probably Mississippi (MS), the requirements are essentially a MS professional (5 year) credential and pass the PRAXIS Librarian exam. There is no experience requirement or esoteric requirements. The primary issue is that its MS, which has one of the worst education reputations.
Arizona (AR) provides an 8 year credential but requires 1 year of experience and the general educator credential you would also need requires completing a course or exam in the US and AR constitution.

[notyouraverageturd]

Where are you seeing lots of librarian jobs? A librarian friend is looking to make a move and despairs at the lack of options. I'm very curious to know.

[Nomad68]

Plenty of Library jobs already appearing for next years recruitment - China, Middle East, South America, Europe. Pretty promising compared to some years when options have been very limited.

[PsyGuy]

@notyouraverageturd

Agree with @nomad, this is more a feast year for librarians then some of the previous famine years where there have been a handful of a few vacancies IE wide.

[teachit]

Dear Geuro
The State of Idaho offers an independent online course of study that will get you a Library Media Specialist endorsement on your teaching license, but I think it is only applicable if you have an Idaho Teaching License, check okay.

Good luck as I love my library position!

[traveler26]

I have a Masters in Teaching and I'm currently working on a Masters in Library and Information Science (great program online). However, I'm working on the program part-time because I teach (obviously), so I don't plan on being done for some years to come. In the meantime, I wanted to be certified for library, at least. I did that through the State of Florida (my other certs are in Connecticut). All I had to do was take and pass the Pearson test for Florida Educational Media Specialist, apply and I got a letter saying I was approved for the professional certificate (5 year renewable). I have to get fingerprinted when I go home over break to get the actual certificate issued, but it was that easy be approved for it. Just be aware, I don't know if it's guaranteed that you'll get a professional certificate or a temporary one. When I called the certification office beforehand, they basically said they would review my credentials and see. Don't know if I was lucky or the fact that I was already certified with a Masters degree helped. You could always give it a shot.

My problem is, I am not sure how I'll land a job without any previous library experience, even with the certification and the fact I'm working on my masters. Hoping to work in a library over summer to get a bit of experience.

[PsyGuy]

@teachit

This is not accurate a candidate must complete an EPP/ITT program, and adding endorsement is not available by examination alone. The only online EPP provider is ABCTE, while this program is online it is still an EPP/ITT program.

@traveler26

Media Specialist (Librarian) is considered a masters level program you can not add it by examination alone. You were approved because of your current in progress coursework towards your degree. If you were to apply without the coursework/degree on just the basis of the FTCE it would likely be rejected with deficiencies.