Career path: School library media
School library media (SLM) specialists or librarians play a critical role in educational settings. They are instructional partners, collaborating with teachers to integrate research and information literacy skills into the curriculum, promoting effective learning. Additionally, they play a crucial role in fostering a love for reading and creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all students.
The School of Information Sciences offers the coursework necessary for full K-12 endorsement for school library media specialists in the State of Michigan (SIS cannot recommend the endorsement for students outside of Michigan). Study for the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree requires 36 credit hours; more coursework may be needed for full endorsement.
Students completing the MLIS degree and wishing to obtain endorsement as a school library media specialist in the State of Michigan, must meet requirements for both the MLIS degree and SLM endorsement. Students are encouraged to meet with a SLM advisor early in their program to be certain all requirements will be completed appropriately. A valid Michigan teaching certificate is required for State of Michigan SLM endorsement.
Out-of-state students are welcome to take the two SLM content-specific classes (INF 7310 and INF 7320) as part of the general MLIS degree. Non-Michigan students must independently determine the SLM licensure pathways in their states and complete their school library practicum through the endorsement body in that state if necessary.
Required courses for the MLIS and School Library Media endorsement
- INF 6010 – Foundations for the Information Professions*
- INF 6080 – Fundamentals of Information Technology*
- INF 6120 – Access to Information*
- INF 6210 – Organization of Information*
- INF 7310** – School Library Media Programs
- INF 7320 – Media Specialist as Teacher and Instructional Consultant
- INF 7340 – Collection Development and Selection of Materials
- INF 7980 – Practicum: School Media
*Required for MLIS students
**A valid teaching certificate is required as a prerequisite for enrollment.
More information about requirements for the School Library Media endorsement can be found here.
Experimental School Library Media Specialist Program
The School of Information Sciences also offers an experimental program that addresses the critical shortage of school librarians in Michigan. This program is an abbreviated pathway for teachers to ean the ND endorsement outside of the MLIS degree.
