How To Become A School Librarian

In this blog post, we’ll outline how to become a school librarian. We’ll go over the education requirements, the necessary skills and qualities, and the different job responsibilities you can expect to have as a school librarian. By the end of this post, you’ll have a good understanding of what it takes to become a school librarian and whether or not it’s the right career choice for you.

Becoming a school librarian is a process that takes time, effort, and dedication. It’s not something that you can just decide to do one day and be done with it. There are steps you need to take and criteria you need to meet to become a successful school librarian.

Education Requirements

Step One: Earn A Bachelor’s Degree In Library Science Or A Related Subject

The first step to becoming a school librarian is completing your undergraduate degree. You can major in any subject you want, but it might be helpful to choose a major that relates to children or education such as English, psychology, or sociology.

Step Two: A Master’s Degree Program

Complete a master’s degree program in library management science, such as a master of library science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS). While you can become a school librarian with just a bachelor’s degree, most public schools require their librarians to have a master’s degree for their school libraries, but private schools may not. A master’s degree will give you the advanced knowledge and skills you need to be an effective librarian.

There are many online MLS programs available that make becoming a school librarian more accessible than ever before. Some library schools also offer dual-degree programs where you can earn your MLS along with another graduate degree such as an MA in Education or an MEd in Educational Technology. These dual-degree programs can prepare you even further for a career as a school librarian.

Step Three: Tests For Public School Librarians

Take your state’s required tests for public school librarians. To obtain a license to work as a librarian in K-12 schools, you will need to pass your state’s required tests. These tests vary from state to state, but they typically include an exam on library science theory as well as an oral or written examination on your teaching ability.

Step Four: Apply For A License

Apply for a license to work as a librarian in K-12 schools. Once you have passed your state’s required tests, you will need to apply for a license to work as a librarian in K-12 schools. The process for applying for a license varies from state to state, but it typically involves submitting an application along with transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate programs, passing an ethics review, and paying a fee.

Step Five: Apply For K-12 Librarian Positions

Begin applying for open K-12 librarian positions. Once you have obtained your license or your librarian certification, you can begin applying for open K-12 librarian positions. There are several ways to find open positions, including searching online job databases such as Indeed.com or CareerBuilder.com, browsing job postings on your state Department of Education website, or subscribing to email alerts from professional organizations such as the American Library Association of School Librarians (ALA).

Skills & Qualities Needed For A Librarian

In addition to the proper education, certain skills and qualities will help you succeed as a school librarian.

Perhaps the most important skill for a librarian is the ability to research effectively and efficiently. For example, As an elementary school librarian, you’ll be responsible for helping students find information for their assignments and projects and can help them to understand the different genres of books. You need to be able to quickly locate reliable sources of information and know how to weed out inaccurate or outdated material.

Another important skill for a school librarian is the ability to keep an organized library. This involves more than just alphabetizing the books on the shelves. Librarians must also keep track of which books have been checked out and by whom, as well as their due dates. Additionally, they must maintain accurate records of any damaged or lost books. Strong organizational skills are necessary to keep the library running smoothly.

Other important skills for school librarians include strong communication abilities, organization skills, and interpersonal skills. You’ll need to be able to communicate effectively with both students and teachers to help them find the resources they need.

Librarians must be proficient in using both traditional and digital resources to help students find the information they need. They must also be able to teach students how to properly evaluate sources so that they can determine whether or not a particular piece of information is reliable and trustworthy. Information literacy skills are critical in today’s ever-changing digital landscape.

Additionally, library materials need to be well-organized so that students can easily find what they’re looking for. And finally, being able to establish positive relationships with both students and teachers is essential for being an effective librarian.

Job Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of a school librarian is managing the library’s collection of materials which includes books, magazines, newspapers, ebooks, databases, websites, and more. This involves purchasing new materials, removing outdated materials from the collection, cataloging new items, and organizing everything so that it’s easy for students and teachers to find what they need.

In addition to managing the library’s collection, school librarians also plan and implement various library programs such as story time or book clubs. These programs are designed to encourage student reading and engage them with literature outside of their required reading assignments. Finally, school librarians also provide research assistance when needed which includes helping students find information for their assignments or projects. They might also teach classes on topics such as effective internet searching or evaluating sources of information.

Conclusion

Becoming a skillful researcher will only become more important in the coming years so it’s important for aspiring librarians to understand how to teach these kinds of research skills. If you’re interested in becoming a school librarian, the best thing you can do is start preparing now by getting the proper education and honing the necessary skills. With hard work and dedication, you can make your dream of becoming a school librarian a reality.