Job Outlook: A State-by-State Guide

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 437:1

Teachers have mainly replaced school librarians, and they often have difficulty managing the collection and integrating the library into the school curriculum. In some cases, teachers fail to return to school for any library training. The Alabama Department of Education offers professional development teleconferences for library media specialists, and the University of South Alabama offers a library degree entirely online.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 1,268:1

To qualify as a library media specialist, you need to pass a certification test. There is no on-campus library training. Up to 12 teachers per year enroll in distance education programs to obtain school library certification, which typically takes two to four years. Staffing schools in remote areas is a huge problem, and there's a high turnover rate among faculty and administration. The state National Education Association affiliate has launched a program to examine school salaries.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 1009:1

School librarians in Arizona are not certified, but endorsed. Endorsement requires a teacher certification, one year's classroom experience, and a passing grade on the library media specialist proficiency test. Schools accredited by the North Central Association must hire endorsed school librarians. The University of Arizona offers online graduate programs in library science.

State mandated: Full-time media specialist for all schools with more than 300 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 437:1

Arkansas tried to change its certification process by allowing a person to take the Praxis Exam to become a media specialist. Librarians and state organizations spoke against the change and the Arkansas Department of Education backed off. Librarians are still required to attend a 'program of study,' otherwise known as obtaining a master's degree.

A person may be hired as a school librarian, regardless of certification or even a college degree. A library media specialist must have both a valid teaching credential and a library media teacher credential, or an emergency library media teacher credential. On occasion, someone will work under two emergency credentials, while earning both a teacher and library credential.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 800:1

The University of Colorado in Denver offers courses in library science, which lead to certification. School District 11 in Colorado Springs provides funding for this program.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 955:1

The State Board of Education offers a rigorous program--the Advanced Alternative Preparation for School Library Media Specialists--to attract successful teachers to school librarianship. It only accepts those with a master's degree, knowledge of technology, at least five years classroom experience, and an understanding of working collaboratively with media specialists. Southern Connecticut State University offers online graduate programs in library science.

Those interested in pursuing a degree from an ALA-accredited school can seek scholarship funding from the Delaware Library Association. The University of Delaware offers courses though continuing education, but it is not ALA accredited.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 551:1

The 2003 school year budget mandates that each school must have a certified library media specialist (LMS) and a library aide for high schools. Those hired as an LMS must complete the 21 hours required by the end of three years. However, there is concern about attracting graduates to fill the positions. A number of schools have hired library aides and those with college degrees. There are two local graduate schools of library and information science--Catholic University and the University of Maryland.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 869:1

As of July 2002, certified teachers will have to pass a state exam to receive certification as a library media specialist. This recent change in certification requirements has raised much concern among district school media supervisors and library educators. Florida State University offers online graduate programs in library science, and the University of South Florida offers courses online as well as off-campus classes at sites throughout the state.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools exceeding 251 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 733:1

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools--an accrediting body for schools--has increased the staffing guidelines for school library media personnel.

State mandated: Full-time media specialist in all schools.
Student to media specialist ratio: 670:1

Hawaii is seeing an end to its three-year school librarian shortage, mainly because many of its licensed teachers are enrolled in the school library program at the University of Hawaii. A statewide Office of School Library Services provides new librarians and temporarily assigned teachers with an orientation and consultative services.

The only schools that must have certified librarians are those seeking accreditation through the Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities. Those accredited by the state have no librarian requirement. The University of Idaho offers a distance learning program that leads to licensure.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all high schools.
Student to media specialist ratio: 1,052:1

Illinois' listserv ISLMANET boasts over 450 members and there's also the helpful Illinois School Library Media Association Web site (www.islma.org). The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign offers online graduate programs in library science.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 1,006:1

The Indiana Department of Education has funded a grant called IMATE, which helps 12 teachers become library media specialists. Another 12 teachers in Indianapolis are expected to become librarians, thanks to the grant. The Indiana Professional Standards Board approved new standards for library certification in 2001. They may be seen at www.in.gov/psb/future/lib_media.htm.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 659:1

Iowa's legislature cut school library media specialists from the state's education code in the mid-1990s. There are few openings for library media specialists, but many schools would rather hire aides who work per hour than those with an MLS. The Iowa Communications Network offers classes after work or on weekends from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Emporia State University offers a mentoring program for teachers who want to become school librarians. Students are paired with practicing school librarians in intensive weekend courses. The state has changed its state regulations from each school requiring a certified school librarian to one of local control.

State mandate: A library media specialist may be employed to serve two or more schools.
Student to media specialist ratio: 521:1

Gaining a state mandate for library media specialists was a double-edged sword--schools were surprised that having a school librarian wasn't a requirement. Many also didn't know that hiring part-time media specialists was an option and began exercising that right. Spalding University, in Louisville offers online courses leading to school librarian certification.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 680:1

Louisiana State University offers several required courses through five distance learning sites across the state. One school district has off-campus classes in one of its schools for uncertified librarians in adjoining districts.

There are ongoing hearings on legislation that would require one school librarian per district for schools seeking approval from the state Department of Education. A group of approximately 80 MLS students is working with faculty from the University of South Carolina's library school to obtain their degrees. South Carolina library school faculty make on-site visits to Maine.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools with more than 200 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 863:1

Cohorts--groups that begin a library program together--are in place at the University of Maryland and Towson State University to receive school librarian training. Once a cohort is formed, no other students can join.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 1,498:1

A bill recently filed by Sen. Susan Tucker will insure support for school library media centers and their professional staff. The legislation also set standards for staffing and budgets. The proposed staffing standards apply to school systems that encompass two or more schools. There will be a full-time system-wide professional certified school library media director working in conjunction with a technology coordinator.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 1,052:1

Christie Brandau, the state librarian, is working on a statewide effort to duplicate the Colorado study, which links school librarians to enhanced student performance.

The state faces a severe budget crisis and many staff at the state library agency and school media centers are being laid off. Minnesota is conducting a census of school media centers to examine facilities, staffing, collection, and technology. More information will be available once it's completed at metronet.lib.mn.us/lib/medicensus.cfm.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools with more than 500 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 689:1

To qualify as a library media specialist, one must pass the Praxis Exam. Of the state's 152 school districts, about 26 have a critical teacher shortage. The state Board of Education is adopting new standards to strengthen student achievement, which will have an impact on the role of school librarians. Mississippi offers distance education courses or the Praxis II Exam through the Educational Testing Service.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools with more than 800 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 559: 1

A certified teacher who passes the Praxis Exam can receive certification. The University of Missouri, Columbia and Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg offer distance education courses in library science.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools with over 251 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 466:1

School librarians are certified teachers with a K-12 endorsement. Montana State University, the University of Montana, and Western Montana College offer this endorsement. Like many states across the nation, Montana has a shortage of librarians. At a recent Montana Library Association conference, the key topic of discussion was how to encourage and draw 'new blood' into a system with stagnant salary schedules and weak state standards.

Many of Nebraska's career media specialists are retired. Despite a very active certification program that works to attract new recruits to the profession, many districts still struggle to find certified library media specialists to fill vacant positions. So far, efforts to hire a library media consultant in the state Department of Education have failed.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 1,157:1

The University of North Texas will offer a Master's of Library and Information Science Program to students from Nevada and surrounding states. The university will partner with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and begin instruction in the fall of 2003. Onsite instruction includes two four-day seminars at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with the remainder of the instruction online. The Nevada Library Association grants annual scholarships to students pursuing education in a graduate library science program at an ALA-accredited library school or course work for public or school librarian certification.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 701:1

There has been a critical shortage of media specialists over the past few years. Certification standards are currently under revision and expected to go into effect in July 2003. There is currently no in-state certification program for librarians, but one university is considering implementing one.

State mandate: None.
Student to media specialist ratio: 672:1

A group made up of the state Department of Education, library media specialists, college library faculty, and other specialists is now working on revising the state's certification requirements.

Less than 20 percent of elementary schools are staffed by certified librarians. The state only requires that its school library programs be under the supervision of either a professional in the district office, a paraprofessional, or a school library aide. New Mexico's rural areas in particular are suffering from a severe shortage of teachers.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist for middle and high schools.
Student to media specialist ratio: 860:1

St. John's University has expanded its school library media certification program. Now professors will travel as far as eastern Long Island. Syracuse University also offers online graduate programs in library science.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 569:1

Most school districts are under the assumption that library media specialists are required, but the reality is that schools can staff their libraries any way they choose. Two years ago, North Carolina received a school grant to support school librarians who were not certified, with the hope that they would work toward that goal. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers online courses for teachers with master's degrees who seek in-state certification as school library media specialists.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 312:1

There is no undergraduate major for librarians, therefore universities do not offer graduate coursework. Basic library courses are offered over an Interactive Video Network System. Teachers seeking school library certification must take undergraduate credits, but they seldom result in salary raises or advancement.

Ohio has eliminated its mandate requiring one school library media specialist per school district. The state is undertaking a new initiative called the Effective School Library Media Programs Project to study the best practices for library programs. There is also an effort to better integrate the school library into classrooms. Teachers and aides mainly fill retiring school librarian positions. Only 11 percent of school districts have certified librarians, and they serve all the schools in the district. Certified librarians are generally placed in junior high and high schools, while those that are non-certified are placed in elementary schools.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools with over 500 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 636:1

Mandates enacted in 2000 have reduced the ratio of students to school librarian. The staffing situation is extremely severe.

State mandate: One full-time media specialist per district.
Student to media specialist ratio: 451:1

Any student enrolled in a graduate-level program in educational media/instructional technology can apply for an Oregon Education Media Association scholarship. Two scholarships of $800 each will be awarded this year. Awards are based on the applicant's potential for professional contribution to the field.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 825:1

Since no teaching positions are mandated, districts will try to save money by eliminating jobs. Hence, Pennsylvania has a severe shortage of school librarians, and about 30 percent of the state's school librarians plan to retire within the next five years. Mansfield University offers a masters in school library science completely online (see April 2002, 'The First All-Virtual Library School,' pp. 54-56). Drexel University and the University of Pittsburgh also offer online graduate programs in library science.

The Providence School Department offers a 'Grow Your Own Librarian' program, where certified teachers can be hired as librarians while working toward completing their master's degrees. The state no longer has a shortage of school librarians, thanks to the graduate library and information science program at the University of Rhode Island.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in high school and middle schools with more than 400 students; in elementary schools with more than 375.
Student to media specialist ratio: 576:1

The University of South Carolina offers distance education courses in library science.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 658:1

Two universities offer distance education courses in library media. South Dakota is in the process of developing a school media training institute to provide uncertified school media personnel with basic library skills, such as what to do and whom to call with problems. The hope is that people will be inspired to pursue certification.

Since our last survey in September 2000, Tennessee has added a state mandate for school librarians. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACA)--an accrediting body for schools--has strengthened the staffing guidelines for school library media personnel. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers online graduate programs in library science.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 773:1

SACA has strenghtened the staffing guidelines for school library media personnel. Texas Women's University and the University of North Texas offer online graduate programs in library science.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 1,650:1

Utah has 499 people with library media certification, of which only 298 are assigned to library positions at the school, district, or state levels. The second largest school district has eliminated its certified library media specialists and replaced them with classified personnel. Due to budgetary constraints, other districts are considering replacing certified librarians in their elementary schools.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools with over 300 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 455:1

The University of Vermont offers a distance learning program that leads to certification.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all schools with more than 300 students.
Student to media specialist ratio: 782:1

Many public librarians and those with MLS's are surprised by Virginia's requirement that they must receive a library endorsement and certification as a classroom teacher. Candidates must also pass the Praxis Exam before applying for certification. Since the pool of school librarians is small, a growing number of schools operate with non-certified personnel. Longwood College, in Farmville has expanded its graduate program to help increase the pool of available school librarian applicants.

The Washington Library Media Association Grants and Awards Scholarship Committee sponsors eight scholarships for people pursuing library endorsments, certificates, or degrees.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 852:1

Fairmont State College and Marshall University offer library media programs for K-12 teachers, with the primary purpose of addressing the state's librarian shortage. The online courses do not lead to certification but endorsement, and can only be added to an existing teaching certification. The program is approved by the West Virginia Board of Education. The entire program consists of 24 credit hours.

State mandate: Full-time media specialist in all high schools and middle schools; elementary schools supervised by an LMS.
Student to media specialist ratio: 661:1

The University of Wisconsin System School Library Education Consortium offers licensure through Web-based instruction and at least one intensive on-campus session (www.uwsslec.org). Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee also has adjunct instructors who teach courses that lead to the licensing of library media specialists. There is no mandate for certified librarians in elementary schools.

State mandate: None
Student to media specialist ratio: 772:1

Many school districts choose to staff their libraries with aides rather than certified media specialists. When library media specialist jobs become vacant in some districts, the position is usually cut or reduced. The Professional Teaching Standards Board has tried to provide a variety of options to aid teachers seeking library media certification, including accepting course work from accredited out-of-state institutions, a portfolio option, and a mentoring program.