Additional Information
You must be a certified teacher and have some formal training as a librarian
to work as a fully qualified school librarian. That likely means you have
to have two degrees -- one in education and one in library science.
Nearly every large public and private university offers education degrees.
The number of schools that offer formal degrees in library science is smaller,
however. School librarians will often have a Master of Library Science (MLS)
or a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS).
"[The MLS] is the basic professional degree that you would receive," says
Michael Nailor, a former high school librarian who teaches aspiring teachers.
"There are some undergraduate programs that prepare school librarians and
they end up with a bachelor's degree, but the basic professional degree is
an MLS."
A number of schools offer specialized training in school librarianship.
Several schools also offer diplomas in teacher librarianship. Make sure the
school is accredited by the American Library Association.
Most states also require certification.
"Job shadowing is always a bonus to help students decide on future career
paths," says Linda Shantz-Keresztes. She is a school library consultant. "Volunteering
or being a high school library page also provides excellent volunteer and
work experience on college application forms."