FAQs
What credentials do I need to work as a school librarian in Illinois public schools?
A school librarian in an Illinois public school must have the Illinois professional educator license with a teaching endorsement in the content area Library Information Specialist. The Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) at Dominican University supports two types of endorsements from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE):
- The Library Information Specialist content area endorsement permits a classroom teacher to work as a school librarian at the same level as the initial endorsement on a professional educator license. The GSLIS offers all the courses needed for the 24-hour Library Information Specialist endorsement.
- The Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement permits the holder to work as a school librarian at all levels from Pre-K through Grade 12. The GSLIS offers all the courses needed for the 27-hour Library Information Specialist endorsement. For anyone who does not already hold the Illinois professional educator license, the GSLIS offers a combined Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) and Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement. As one of only two such entitlement programs in Illinois, the SLMP enables those who complete the program to work in any type of library (public, school, academic, or special) and entitles them to the Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement.
I have a B.A. or B.S degree and would like to become a K-12 school librarian. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican?
Yes, you can. The GSLIS offers a combined Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) and Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement. As an entitlement program, the SLMP enables those who complete the program to work in any type of library (public, school, academic, or special) and entitles them to the professional educator license with Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement.
See the Student Progress Packet for requirements.
I have an advanced degree in an area other than library and information science and would like to become a school librarian. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?Yes, you can. The GSLIS offers a combined Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) and Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement. As an entitlement program, the SLMP enables those who complete the program to work in any type of library (public, school, academic, or special) and entitles them to the professional educator license with Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement. See the Student Progress Packet for requirements.
I have a master’s degree in library and information science from another ALA- accredited program and would like to become a school librarian. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
Yes, you can. Some of your previous LIS courses may meet the requirements for the Illinois Library Information Specialist endorsement. Upon admission to the GSLIS as a non-degree-seeking student, the director of the School Library Media Program will evaluate your college/university transcripts. Your coursework and clinical experience requirements will be based on that evaluation. See the Student Progress Packet for requirements.
I have a current elementary or secondary classroom professional educator license and would like to take the courses required for the Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement as a part of the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
Yes, you can. The School Library Media Program (SLMP) requires 27 hours of specific courses to meet the competencies required by the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards for the Library Information Specialist. In addition to the 27 hours of required courses, you must take nine semester hours of electives from courses offered by the GSLIS. You must also pass the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Content Area Test for Library Information Specialist and complete the Clinical Experience II–Internship. See the Student Progress Packet for requirements.
I have a current elementary or secondary professional educator license and would like to obtain a Library Information Specialist endorsement. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?Yes, you can. At present, candidates with a valid professional educator license may earn a Library Information Specialist endorsement by completing 24 semester hours in library coursework and passing the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Content Area Test for Library Information Specialist. You must apply for admission to the GSLIS and be accepted into the School Library Media Program (SLMP). Applications for an endorsement to a professional educator license are made through the regional office of education in the region where you are employed or live.
I have a current Illinois elementary or secondary professional educator license and would like to obtain a Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
Yes, you can. Some of your education courses may meet the requirements for the Illinois Library Information Specialist endorsement. Upon admission to the GSLIS as a non-degree-seeking student, the director of the School Library Media Program will evaluate your college/university transcripts. Your coursework and clinical experience requirements will be based on that evaluation.
I do not have a professional educator license and would like to become a school librarian. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
Yes, you can. The combined Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) and Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement entitlement program provides all the required courses—except for three education courses—stipulated by the Illinois State Board of Education for licensure as a school librarian. You can take the required education courses at a two- or four-year college or university. The School Library Media Program director can advise further.
I want to apply to the GSLIS School Library Media Program for school library licensure, but I understand there are some tests that I have to take. What are they, when do I take them, and how do I find out where and when they are offered?
Library Information Specialist endorsement requires the successful completion of certain standardized tests offered by the Illinois State Board of Education:
- You must first pass the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency or meet a recognized alternative (http://duslmp.info/requirements/icts-exam- requirements); and
- You must pass the Illinois Library Information Specialist Content Area Test (Code 175) before you begin your first clinical experience
Full information on when and where the tests are given and how much they cost is available at http://www.icts.nesinc.com.
I am a GSLIS student, and I do not have an Illinois professional educator license. When I entered the GSLIS program, I did not plan to become a school librarian. Now I think I want to be a school librarian after all. Can I apply to the School Library Media Program? What are the application requirements?
Yes, you can! You can apply to the School Library Media Program at any point during your MLIS program. However, to avoid having to take too many additional courses due to a late change of course, it is to your benefit to apply to the School Library Media Program as soon as you decide you are interested in pursuing school librarianship. To enter the School Library Media Program you must pass the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency, complete a School Library Media Program Application, and complete a criminal background check with fingerprinting. Find the SLMP application at http://goo.gl/Yvr8Dq.
In addition to coursework, what else do I have to do to earn the Special K-12 Library Information Specialist endorsement?
Pass three licensure tests: the Test of Academic Proficiency, the Library Information Specialist Content Area Test, and the Assessment of Professional Teaching (K-12).
If you do not already hold a valid professional educator license, you must complete the following:
Three education courses:
- Educational Psychology
- History and Philosophy of Education
- Services to the Exceptional Child;
100 hours of observation in school libraries; and
Two 200-hour clinical experiences (student teaching).
If you do already hold a valid professional educator license, you must:
Provide transcript evidence that you have completed three education courses:
- Educational Psychology
- History and Philosophy of Education
- Services to the Exceptional Child
Complete 40 hours of observation in school libraries; and
Complete two 80-hour clinical experiences (internship)
Participate in an exit interview with the director of the School Library Media Program, who will review your portfolio and assure that you have met all program requirements before authorizing you for licensure. See the Student Progress Packet for requirements.
I have finished all the requirements to receive my Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) but have not met all the requirements for my school library licensure. Must I wait until I have met the licensure requirements before I can graduate?
No, you don’t. Although graduation and licensure are related, they are two separate processes. You can graduate before you receive your license or you can get your license before you graduate.
Learn more about the School Library Media Program.