Pennsylvania Public Librarian Certification
The individual seeking to become a librarian in Pennsylvania has to plan carefully to meet the state's educational and certification requirements. The level of pay, type of training needed and the educational level required to advance is dependent on the type of library services that the individual will be providing. These are important points to consider when choosing an educational program and setting career goals.
Other People Are Reading
-
Certification Levels
-
Becoming a public librarian in Pennsylvania requires one of three certifications: library assistant, provisional librarian and professional librarian. Certification is required in any library that receives public funding from the state. The type of certification required depends primarily on the type of library services that are carried out in a particular job role. To receive certification, the individual must pass a state-administered test.
Educational Considerations
-
Each level of certification carries different educational requirements. A library assistant must have a minimum of two years worth of college academic training, nine hours of which must be in library science. For a provisional library in certification, the individual will need a bachelors degree that has 12 hours focused on library science. The professional librarian certification requires a bachelors degree and a master's degree with a focus in library science.
-
Further Educational Considerations
-
Depending on the area that the individual works in and the number of people served by the library, various certification levels may be required. For example, in areas with a smaller population, the library may be run by those who have a library assistant certification. Some positions require a professional librarian certification along with a master's degree in library and information science from a program approved by the American Library Association.
Features
-
Those who are hired into a Pennsylvania public library as a library trainee are required to enroll in a master's program for library science. The trainee must keep a good academic standing and be a full-time student. Once the trainee has graduated, he or she must work full-time as a librarian for the state up to a maximum of two years.
Significance
-
According to the Pennsylvania Board of Education, positions as a library assistant normally pay less than those of a provisional or professional librarian. The individual who wants to advance to a higher level of certification will need to enroll in an advanced degree program. Each certification level also requires a separate test.
-
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
