I would like to become a librarian at a middle school. I've just begun looking into this and I need to know what schooling/certification I would need. I'm sure that this varies depending on where you are, but this looked like a good place to get a general answer. I've already got my B.A. in Foreign Languages and I work at the public library as a circulation/reference clerk, so hopefully I'm on my way.
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I am currently taking classes toward my Master's in Library Media Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato. All of the courses are online and we have students from all over the country in our classes. It has been an amazing experience. You can work towards licensure or a Master's... your choice. Here is a link to my program.
The first place you should look is the board of education in the state where you hope to work. I see from your profile that you are in Louisiana. Here is a link to the page with certification information for Louisiana. There is a downloadable link on the left that says "Types of Teaching Certificates." That tells you about the requirements for the different paths into teaching. You might need to contact them to get specifics regarding requirements for Media Specialists (i.e., do you need an accredited Masters degree).
Best of luck to you. I also came to school libraries the back way, becoming a librarian (corporate) first, then getting my certification. I already had a Masters degree, so I was qualified for certification on that basis in Maryland. When I moved to Illinois, I needed to take a few tests (a PRAXIS equivalent and a Library Information Specialist content area test) to be certified here.
Thank you so much. I've looked at the websites and found some helpful info. Hopefully I'll have my teaching certification by next year. (There's a good program in my area.)
Thanks again!
Replies
http://ed.mnsu.edu/ksp/lme/
I, too, teach a foreign langugage. What a coincidence in common interests!
~Natalie
Some other links of interest:
Alternate Teacher Preparation
Louisiana Certification FAQs
Best of luck to you. I also came to school libraries the back way, becoming a librarian (corporate) first, then getting my certification. I already had a Masters degree, so I was qualified for certification on that basis in Maryland. When I moved to Illinois, I needed to take a few tests (a PRAXIS equivalent and a Library Information Specialist content area test) to be certified here.
Thanks again!