Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/29/2009
Posts: 1
Points: 3
Location: MN
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HELP! After five years of working in the business world, I'm looking to make a career change. I'm interested in being a media/library specialist in either a middle school or high school, but I'm not sure where to start. I have a BSB with a major in marketing, and now am trying to figure out what I need to do, education wise, to start a new career.
I'm trying to find out the answers to the following questions:
1) What degree is typically needed to be a library teacher?
2) What is the job market like - are there openings in this field?
3) Of the online programs, what are the ones you would rank the highest in regards to reputation and content?
4) Would I be able to use any of my previous job experience to my advantage?
Any help/advice you could give me to get me started would be much appreciated. I've been trying to wade through all of the info that is out there, but will admit that I definitely have a lot to learn about the library world.
Thanks!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/4/2008
Posts: 34
Points: 102
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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I currently work as a Library Media Specialist in a private school. I'm not exactly an expert, but here's what I think:
1 - If you want to work in a public school, you'll most likely need a bachelors in education and full teaching certification in order to qualify for the job. A masters in library science is also requested by most. If you work in a private school, however, you most often do not need the teaching certification or background in education, though both are highly requested.
2 - The job market is SCARY. Most districts are short on money, and the librarian position is usually one of the first to be cut. The school will then either go without a librarian and rely on volunteers or hire an aide to man the library. When I was looking for a job a year ago I had a very hard time finding any schools hiring except for private/independent schools. They tend to have more money as they don't rely on the state to support them.
3 - No idea...
4 - Of course. Marketing is huge with the library. If you can figure out what the kids want and how to grab their attention and show them what the library has to offer them... well, that's huge!
My 2 cents!
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