here are many educational careers that you could pursue, but perhaps one of the most important is working as a school librarian. Librarians play a vital role in any school, serving as the center of knowledge and often developing educational programs of their own. Although many people don’t realize it, becoming a school librarian actually requires advanced training, which you can receive by earning a library science degree.
By earning a library science degree, you’ll have a wide range of career opportunities, including being able to gain employment as a school librarian. Learn how you can earn a library science degree, read about some of your potential coursework and find out the salary you can earn in this career.
Degrees in Library Science
The first decision that you will need to make when considering a library science degree is how far you will take your education. If you want to become a librarian in an elementary or middle school, then your best option may be to choose a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science. To enroll in a library science BA program, you will need at least a high school diploma and may need to pass competency exams.
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If you’re interested in becoming a librarian in a secondary or postsecondary institution, then you need to strongly consider pursuing a Master’s Degree in library science. You don’t necessarily need a BA in library science to enter a Master’s program, but your BA will need to be in a related field such as English.
The requirements to enroll in a Master’s program will depend on the school you wish to attend. However, most schools require a certain GRE score and an interview.
Library Science Degree Courses
Once you’ve decided which degree level you will pursue, it’s important that you learn about the different types of courses you may take. Working as a librarian is as much an administrative position as it is an informational position, and your coursework will reflect this fact.
The first two years of your BA in library science will be focused on general education courses. After these are complete, your focus will shift to library science courses. BA level library science courses can include information services, library administration, cataloging/classification and introduction to librarianship.
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Should you choose to enroll in a Master’s program, you will be required to take advanced courses that will teach you how to be a librarian in high-level educational institution. Library science courses at the Master’s level can include database design, information system analysis and services and tools for library users.
You will usually need three to five years to complete your Bachelor’s degree and an additional two years for a Master’s degree.
Career and Salary Information
Several issues can influence your salary as a librarian, especially the school in which you work and the level of education that you have achieved. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has provided some basic career and salary information for this profession. According to the BLS report of 2015, librarians could expect to earn a median salary of $56,880 per year.
Growth for this profession is only expected to be 2% between the years 2014 and 2024, making this a highly competitive educational career.