Education · 1 of 5
The path
Any bachelor's degree, then an accredited master's. The master's is the gate, and there is no way around it.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
English, history and a language. Get a job or volunteer shift at your local library or school library, which also tells you whether you actually like the work.
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Bachelor's degree, any subject
4 years
Subject knowledge helps later. Science, law or a foreign language can be the thing that gets you a specialist post.
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Accredited master's degree
2 years
A master's in library and information science accredited by the American Library Association. Many are available fully online, part time, while you work.
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Work in a library while you study
During the degree
Part-time circulation or assistant work during the master's is close to essential. Employers hire the graduate who already knows a library floor.
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Add a state certification if you want schools
Varies by state
Most states require a school librarian to hold a teaching license or a school library media endorsement on top of the degree.