How to Become a School Librarian
The short answer to how to become a school librarian: most states require a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, plus a teaching certificate. Some states also require a passing score on an exam such as the Praxis School Librarian (5312), where required. Exact education, certification, and testing requirements vary by state, so confirm the current rule with your state's educator-licensing agency.
School librarians do more than check out books. They teach research skills, help teachers find classroom materials, and run the collection that keeps a school's information resources current. If you're weighing what an education career can look like outside the classroom, school librarianship is one option worth a close look. Credential structures vary by state: some states license school librarians as a teaching specialization, while others use separate certificates or endorsements, so the exact path depends on where you plan to work.
Qualities of a School Librarian
A good school librarian reads widely and wants students to read too. The job also runs on communication: librarians work daily with teachers, administrators, and students who have very different needs from the same collection.
Most school librarians work a schedule similar to classroom teachers, including summers off, though some districts staff their libraries part-time.
Job Outlook for School Librarians
Employment of librarians and library media specialists is projected to grow 2% between 2024 and 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slower than the average for all occupations. That modest growth still supports about 13,500 openings a year nationally, most of them created by librarians retiring or moving to other roles rather than by new positions.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a School Librarian?
How to Become a School Librarian
Requirements vary by state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, school librarians typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, along with a teaching certificate. Some states also require prior classroom teaching or education experience, while others don't. Your state's educator-licensing agency sets the exact combination for your state, so confirm the current requirements there before starting a program. A related graduate program in Library Science is a common path toward the credential.
Master of Library Science (MLS)
The American Library Association (ALA) recognizes two common professional preparation routes for school librarians: a master's degree from an ALA-accredited library science program, or a master's program specializing in school librarianship. Some states require ALA accreditation specifically, so check with your state's educator-licensing agency before you enroll. Coursework typically covers library management, children's and young adult literature, and instructional technology.
Tests to Pass for Becoming a School Librarian
Testing requirements are state- and certificate-specific, not universal. Some states use the Praxis School Librarian (5312) exam. Others use different assessments or have different testing requirements entirely, and some waive part of the testing requirement for candidates who already hold a teaching certificate. ETS, which administers the Praxis, advises candidates to verify that their certifying state accepts a given test before registering. Check with your state's educator-licensing agency for the exam it currently requires.
Library Certification from Another State
Reciprocity terms are set state by state and change over time, so a certificate earned elsewhere isn't automatically portable. If you're moving states, contact the certifying agency in your new state directly to confirm whether your existing certification transfers or what additional steps apply.
School Librarian by Degree Level
The tables and charts below break down the education level obtained as averaged across the U.S.
| Degree Level | Percent (%) |
|---|---|
| Less Than High School Diploma | 0.1% |
| High School Diploma | 0.2% |
| Some College | 8.8% |
| Associate Degree | 5.2% |
| Bachelors Degree | 22.0% |
| Masters Degree | 58.7% |
| Doctorate Degree | 4.9% |
Data taken from BLS Educational attainment for workers 25 years and older by detailed occupation, 2010-11 (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_111.htm)
What Does a School Librarian Do?
School librarians organize and manage collections of books, journals, and electronic resources, and they help students and staff find and evaluate the information they need. At the elementary level, that often includes story time, literacy activities, and age-appropriate reading guidance.
Across grade levels, librarians manage circulation, help patrons navigate research tools, and, depending on the school, handle administrative tasks tied to running the library as its own small department.
Job of a School Librarian and Job Description
School librarians support literacy, critical thinking, and research skills at every grade level. The specifics shift somewhat between elementary and secondary settings.
Elementary School Librarian
Elementary school librarians build the foundation for lifelong reading and research habits. Typical responsibilities include:
- Supervising library technicians, volunteers, and student assistants
- Teaching students to think critically, read widely, and use information responsibly
- Collaborating with teachers and curriculum staff to plan lessons and units
- Building a collection and a library program aligned to school, state, and national standards
- Following district policy on materials selection, circulation, copyright, and privacy
- Using instructional technology to support classroom learning
- Tracking data that connects library programming to student achievement
High School Librarian
As students take on more independent research, high school librarians shift toward a more analytical role. Typical responsibilities include:
- Planning instruction, assessing student progress, and evaluating library programming
- Partnering with teachers and outside stakeholders to build reading and research experiences
- Selecting, acquiring, and organizing information resources and technology across formats
- Maintaining a collection matched to the school's curriculum and student needs
- Networking with other libraries and agencies to extend access beyond the school's own collection
- Teaching media literacy, including how to evaluate advertising, online sources, and other content
- Guiding students toward books that build both skill and a lasting interest in reading
- Supervising support staff, assistants, and volunteers
- Preparing and managing the library program's budget
Where Can a School Librarian Work?
School librarians work in public, private, and charter schools, and the setting shapes the job in real ways.
Public Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
Public schools are funded by state and federal government and can't turn away a student who lives in the district, so public school libraries tend to serve large, diverse student populations.
Private Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
Private schools set their own standards for staff and students and are independent of many of the requirements that govern public schools. Class sizes and often library collections tend to be smaller.
Charter Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
Charter schools are publicly funded but independently run, usually with smaller enrollments, more flexibility, and more accountability for performance than a typical public school.
School Librarian Organizations and Associations
- AASL - American Association of School Librarians
- IASL - International Association of School Librarianship
What Is the Salary of a School Librarian?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarians and library media specialists earned a median annual salary of $64,320 nationally as of May 2024. Those working in elementary and secondary schools specifically earned more: a median of $69,880, above the all-occupation median for this group.
| Setting | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| All librarians and library media specialists (national) | $64,320 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | $69,880 |
Pay for librarians in elementary and secondary schools runs above the broader occupation's national median, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics figures above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a teaching certificate to become a school librarian?
In most states, yes. Public school librarians typically need a teaching certificate in addition to their library credential, though how that credential is structured, as a teaching specialization, a separate certificate, or an endorsement, varies by state. Confirm the current rule with your state's educator-licensing agency.
What degree do you need to become a school librarian?
It varies by state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that school librarians typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, along with a teaching certificate. Where a master's is required, ALA recognizes both an ALA-accredited library science degree and a master's program specializing in school librarianship as professional preparation routes.
Do school librarians need teaching experience first?
It depends on the state. Some states require prior classroom teaching or education experience before a candidate can earn a school librarian credential. Others don't. Check your state's educator-licensing agency for its specific pathway before assuming it applies to you.
What test do you need to pass to become a school librarian?
It depends on the state. Some states use the Praxis School Librarian (5312) exam, where required. Others use different assessments or have different testing requirements, and some reduce testing requirements for candidates who already hold a teaching certificate. Confirm the current requirement with your state's educator-licensing agency.
How much do school librarians get paid?
Librarians and library media specialists earned a median annual salary of $64,320 nationally as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics - those working specifically in elementary and secondary schools earned a median of $69,880.
- Education requirements vary by state - a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, plus a teaching certificate, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Teaching-license and school-library credential requirements vary by state - some states treat the role as a teaching specialization, others use separate certificates or endorsements.
- The licensing exam varies by state - some states use the Praxis School Librarian (5312), where required, and others use different assessments.
- Median pay is $69,880 in K-12 schools - above the $64,320 national median for the broader librarian occupation, as of May 2024.
Median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024. Job growth projection (2024-2034) also from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Figures reflect national and industry-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Certification is only one part of the decision - the other is finding a program built for someone who's already working. The sponsored programs listed here include options designed for career-changers and current teachers adding a library media credential.