FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the School Library Media Program at Dominican University
Q: What types of teaching certificates do individuals need to work as school library information specialists (school librarians) in Illinois public schools?
A: There are two levels of certification from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) supported by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) at Dominican University:
1. The Library Information Specialist Endorsement on a current Type 03, 04, or 09 teaching certificate permits classroom teacher with a valid teaching certificate to work as a library information specialist at the same level as their classroom teaching certification (elementary, middle, or secondary level). The GSLIS offers all the courses (24 credit hours) needed for the library information specialist endorsement.
2. Library Information Specialist Certification (Type 10) certifies the holder to work as a library information specialist in all grades from Pre-K through Grade 12. Dominican GSLIS offers a combined Masters degree in Library and Information Science and a K-12 library information specialist certification (Type 10) program. This dual program enables students to obtain a degree in library and information science that enables them to work in any type of library (public, private, school, university, or corporate) and complete the necessary requirements to obtain a K-12 Library Information Specialist certification in the state of Illinois.
Q: I have a B.A. or B.S degree and would like to become a K-12 Library Information Specialist. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican?
A: Yes, you can. Dominican GSLIS offers a combined Masters degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and K-12 school library media certification program. This dual program allows students to obtain a degree in library and information science and complete the necessary requirements to obtain K-12 Library Information Specialist certification (Type 10) in the state of Illinois. See course requirements for Library Information Specialist Certification.
Q: I have an advanced degree in a non-library and information science area and would like to become a Library Information Specialist. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
A: Yes, you can. The GSLIS offers a combined MLIS and a K-12 school library media certification program. This dual program allows students to obtain a MLIS and complete the requirements for a Type 10, K-12 Special Certificate as a Library Information Specialist in the State of Illinois. See course requirements for Library Information Specialist certification.
Q: I have a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from another ALA-accredited program and I would like to become a Library Information Specialist. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
A: Yes, you can. Some of your previous LIS courses may meet the requirements for Illinois Library Information specialist Certification. Upon admission to GSLIS, your college/university transcripts will be evaluated by the director of the School Library Media Program. Your coursework and clinical experience requirements will be based on that evaluation. While you are fulfilling these requirements you will be enrolled as a GSLIS Certificate of Special Study student through which you can earn a Library Information Specialist endorsement on a Type 03, 04, 09, teaching certificate or a Type 10 Standard Special Certificate K-12 with a Library Information Specialist specialization.
Q: I have a current elementary or secondary classroom teaching certificate and would like to take the courses required for the Type 10 Library Information Specialist Certificate as a part of the MLIS degree. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
A: Yes you can. The school library media program requires 27 hours of specific courses to meet the competencies required by the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards for the Library Information Specialist. In addition to the 27 hours of required course, you must take 9 semester hours of electives from courses offered by the GSLIS. You must also enroll in Clinical Experience II-Internship (LIS 729). See course requirements for Library Information Specialist certification.
Q: I have a current elementary or secondary classroom teaching certificate and would like to obtain a Library Information Specialist Endorsement. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
A: Yes you can. At present, students with valid teaching certificates may earn a Library Information Specialist endorsement by completing 24 semester hours in library coursework and passing the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Content Area Test for Library Information Specialists. You must apply for admission to the GSLIS and be accepted into the school library media program. Applications for an endorsement to a teaching certificate are made through the regional office of education in the region where you are employed or live. See course requirements for Library Information Specialist Endorsement.
Q: I have a current Illinois elementary or secondary classroom teaching certificate and would like to obtain a K-12 Library Information Specialist Certificate. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
A: Yes you can. Some of your education courses may meet the requirements for Illinois Library Information Specialist Certification. Upon admission to the GSLIS program, your college/university transcripts will be evaluated by the director of the School Library Media Program. Your coursework and fieldwork requirements toward your K-12 Library Information Specialist Certificate will be based on that evaluation.
Q: I have a current Illinois elementary classroom teaching certificate. I am working toward a Library Information Specialist endorsement and plan to work as a school librarian in a school that includes grades 5, 6, 7, and/or 8. What else do I need?
A: You will need to have a Middle School Endorsement. Students working in middle grades 5, 6, 7, and/or 8 must take 6 additional hours of education courses in middle school philosophy, curriculum and instructional methods, and in educational psychology focusing on the developmental characteristics of early adolescents and the role of the middle grade teacher in assessment, coordination and referral of students to health and social services.
Q: I do not have a classroom teaching certificate and I would like to become a Library Information Specialist. Can I do this in the GSLIS program at Dominican University?
A: Yes you can. Dominican GSLIS’s combined MLIS and K-12 Library Information Specialist Certification program provides all the required courses–except for three education courses—stipulated by ISBE for Illinois Certification as a Library Information Specialist. You can take the required education courses at a two- or four- year college or university. The School Library Media Program director can provide further advisement.
Q: I think I am interested in applying to the GSLIS School Library Media Program for School Information Specialist Certification, but I understand there are some tests that I’ll have to take. What are they, when do I take them, and how do I find out where and when they are offered?
A: Library Information Specialist certification requires the successful completion of three standardized tests offered by the Illinois State Board of Education. In order to be admitted to the K-12 School Library Media Certification program at Dominican University, you must first pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test. Before you begin the clinical experience portion of the program, you must pass the Illinois Library Information Specialist Content-Area Test (Code 175), and before you apply for your Illinois Library Information Specialist certificate, you must pass the Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching test (Code 104). Full information on when and where the tests are given and associated costs is available at www.icts.nesinc.com.
Q: I am a GSLIS student, and I do not have an Illinois classroom teaching certificate. When I entered the GSLIS program, I did not plan to become a school librarian, but now I am thinking I might like to be a school librarian after all. Can I apply to the School Library Media Program? What are the application requirements?
A: Yes you can. You can apply to the School Library Media Program at any point during your MLIS program. However, to avoid having to take too many additional courses due to a late change of course, it is to your benefit to apply to the School Library Media Program as soon as you decide you are interested in pursuing school librarianship. To enter the School Library Media Program you must pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test, complete a School Library Media Program Application, write an essay, and pass a criminal background check.
Q: In addition to coursework, what do I have to do to complete the Type 10 Special K-12 Teaching Certificate Program at Dominican SGLIS?
A: Before enrolling for the clinical experience (Student Teaching or Internship) candidates who do not hold a valid teaching certificate must complete three education courses: Educational Psychology, History and Philosophy of Education, and Exceptional Child (including learning disabilities). Candidates without a valid teaching certificate must complete 100 hours of observation in school libraries (40 hours for students with a valid teaching certificate) to be completed prior to the clinical experience. All candidates must have completed the Library Information Specialist Area Content Test and apply to enroll in clinical experience. Throughout your coursework in the school library media program you will develop a professional portfolio. The portfolio conference and review will occur during the Exit Interview with director of the School Library Media Program.
Q: I have finished all the requirements to receive my MSLIS but have not met all the requirements for my teaching certificate. Must I wait until I have met the certification requirements before I can graduate?
A: No. Although graduation and certification are related, they are two separate processes. You can graduate before you receive your certification or you can get your certification before you graduate.
