According to the American Association of School Librarians:
“Today's school librarian works with both students and teachers to facilitate access to information in a wide variety of formats, instruct students and teachers how to acquire, evaluate and use information and the technology needed in this process, and introduces children and young adults to literature and other resources to broaden their horizons. As a collaborator, change agent, and leader, the school librarian develops, promotes and implements a program that will help prepare students to be effective users of ideas and information, a lifelong skill.”
The University of Oklahoma School of Library and Information Studies (OU SLIS) is the only American Library Association-accredited master's degree in Oklahoma (continued accreditation page) offering a comprehensive degree program through coursework and practical experience. The MLIS degree requires a minimum of 36 hours of completed coursework. To be awarded the MLIS, students must do one of the following end of program assessments in their final semester: complete a written thesis or prepare an eportfolio (if admitted prior to Fall 2021, you have the added options of a portfolio defense or a comprehensive exam).
Below is the OU list of core courses for those seeking a career in a k-12 school librarianship.
NOTE the following for students electing the school librarianship focus:
It is strongly recommended that you take the six general core courses listed above BEFORE taking your end of program assessment.
Please consult your advisor for the one course from the options listed below that best meets your educational goals:
For Students Holding a Teaching Degree
For students who hold a standard teaching certificate, the university may recommend them to the Oklahoma State Department of Education for certification. These students should consult with the College of Education certification representative (405-325-2108) when applying for certification. Information about the traditional path for Oklahoma Teacher Certification is available at: http://sde.ok.gov/sde/traditional-path-oklahoma-teacher-certification
Because school library media certification is an advanced certification (to be added on to a standard teaching certificate), candidates completing the SLIS certification program typically hold a standard teaching certificate and need to take one more exam, the OSAT, for the content area of school library media. Information on this test can be found at: http://www.ceoe.nesinc.com
Students who hold the MLIS degree with a focus on school librarianship may be considered for a non-traditional (alternative) credential by applying for Alternative Certification through the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Note that students pursuing alternative certification are asked to complete a pedagogical practices course and a classroom management course. School Library Administration 5283 meets the required pedagogical practices, and the classroom management requirement may be met with a course from the College of Education, including but not limited to:
Additional alternative certification requirements include the completion of required exams.
Upon successful completion of the exams and MLIS degree, contact the SLIS office to request recommendation for certification. See OSDE Alternative Certification for additional information at: http://sde.ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-alternative-placement-program-teacher-certification
If you have a question for OSDE, you may contact the Director of Instructional Materials & Library:
Jason Stephenson,Director of Secondary English Language Arts & Library Media
Phone: 405-522-3628
Email: jason.stephenson@sde.ok.gov
Or visit the OSDE Teacher Certification website: http://sde.ok.gov/sde/teacher-certification
Students applying for School Librarian Certification outside to Oklahoma must consult the State Department of Education in the state for which they seek certification.
Professional Organizations
Not comprehensive of professional associations related to school librarians.
Oklahoma School Librarians is also accessible through this site.
Standards and Guidelines
State and national standards.
Oklahoma Academic Standards Information Literacy*
American Association of School Librarians
National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries
*The following Learner, Librarian and School Library Frameworks are excerpted from the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries by the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association, copyright © 2018 American Library Association. Used with permission. The documents are permissible to use, reproduce, and distribute for private, non-commercial, and educational purposes only for use by Oklahoma educators, librarians, and citizens. Any usage or permission question can be directed to aaslstandards@ala.org. Visit standards.aasl.org for additional resources.
