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Educational institutions are the primary employer of librarian media specialists.

Librarian media specialists sometimes oversee multiple school libraries, working with educators to facilitate connections between student research and informational needs, curricula and available information resources.

Career resource information and continued education opportunities in library media or on how to become a librarian media specialist are available through the American Association of School Librarians and the American Library Association.

1. Education

Librarian media specialists are often supervisory positions within the library system. As a result, most institutions prefer individuals who possess a Master of Library Science degree from an accredited American Library Association program.

Individuals with an undergraduate degree in Library Science may find positions in rural areas, but most metropolitan areas prefer a graduate degree.

Since most librarian media specialists work within an educational institution, positions may require a state teacher’s license. Contact the state’s department of education to determine licensing requirements.

2. Qualifications

Librarian media specialists must have strong verbal and written communication skills.

Other required qualifications may include an extensive knowledge of literature, knowledge of the current trends in library media services, computer experience in library media, an ability to teach library and research skills and strong organizational experience.

An essential factor in qualifying as a librarian media specialists is ability to pass a full criminal background check with fingerprinting. Nearly all states require educators of any type to pass a full criminal background check.

Certain states, such as New Jersey, also forward fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a complete national criminal check.

Individuals with previous criminal arrests and convictions should address these issues prior to pursuing a librarian media specialist career. Read the rest of this entry »