Library Careers: School Librarians

Whether they are in elementary, junior high, or high school, school libraries have a huge impact on a student's learning experience. If you are working on a library graduate degree, you might be considering a career as a school librarian. This article will look at the requirements for becoming a school librarian, and examine some of the pros and cons that you should be aware of.

How to Become a School Librarian

In California, school librarians are required to have a library media certificate or credential. What this means is that you need to have a teaching credential and a library graduate degree (MLS or MLIS). In addition, the library graduate degree consists of specific courses, and you must complete those exact classes to get the certificate. This varies drastically from other graduation requirements. Librarians are typically free to take whatever classes they want, to help them pursue their academic interests. That means that it will take you much longer to graduate if you decide halfway through your degree that you want to be a school librarian.

Why you Should Become a School Librarian or Library Media Teacher

There are many reasons that you should become a school librarian. If you already have a teaching credential, you are already halfway there. School librarians have a very positive role in the school. They work with children directly, teaching them about books and libraries, and reading stories. School librarians have great work hours, getting out the same time as teachers, and having long breaks.

Things you Should Know About School Libraries

Unfortunately, there are a lot of cons in this job field right now, and you should be aware of them. Salaries for school librarians are lower than those of librarians in other fields. Budget cuts have had a drastic impact on the number of school library media teachers that are hired. Librarians may be required to cut their hours, or work at more than one school. The future of these positions is in danger. Another consideration is the number of teachers that are attending graduate school to become librarians. When I was in graduate school,, about twenty percent of the other students I knew were teachers who were training for a different career. That career was typically school librarian. That means that when you are looking for a job you will be competing with a lot of highly qualified candidates.

Don't be discouraged if you really want to be a school librarian. Try your hardest, and hope for the best. There are other library jobs available working with children. Public libraries often hire youth services librarians, and school library positions are more secure in private schools. If you want to work with children, consider becoming a school librarian or library media teacher.