The Professional Endorsement in School Librarianship, offered through Graduate Studies, follows the Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians from the American Library Association/American Association of School Librarians (ALA/AASL) and the Virginia Department of Education Licensure Regulations for School Personnel and is approved by the Virginia Department of Education.
The School Librarianship endorsement coursework is designed for individuals with a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or equivalent from another state who want to be eligible to add an endorsement for Library Media preK-12 without obtaining a Master’s degree. Coursework prepares individuals to meet the varied roles required of a school librarian in the 21st century - the roles of instructional partner, teacher, information specialist, leader, and program administrator. The concept of the librarian as a catalyst for academic achievement is emphasized, as is the importance of helping our preK-12 students become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. Collaboration, leadership, and technology are themes which run throughout the coursework. Successful completion of these courses meets current eligibility requirements for an endorsement as a school librarian in grades preK-12.
Admission
Applicants to this professional endorsement must possess a bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited by the appropriate institutional (formally regional) accreditation agency and a valid Virginia Collegiate Professional License or equivalent from another state at the time of admission.
In addition to the above, applicants must have:
- a 2.75 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- provide a minimum of two recommendations
- a 500-word personal essay
- a résumé
- official transcripts of the bachelor’s degree and any course work completed after that degree.
Culminating Experiences
Clinical Experience
Students in the professional endorsement enroll in SLIB 693 - Culminating Experience in School Libraries. Placements are coordinated by the program director for the school librarianship graduate program. Students enrolled in SLIB 693 complete internship hours in elementary, middle, and high school libraries.
An Incomplete (I) may be given if needed based on the Graduate Incomplete policy. Students cannot begin a placement prior to the start of the course in which that placement is required.
Professional Portfolio
All students in the professional endorsement in School Librarianship complete a professional portfolio as part of their culminating experiences in the program. Students are scaffolded by their advisor throughout their coursework regarding professional portfolio requirements. The portfolio is electronic.
SLIB 693 - Culminating Experience in School Libraries. A student who does not score the minimum required points for the Professional Portfolio portion of SLIB 693 may receive a grade of incomplete (I) and must satisfactorily complete and present the Professional Portfolio the following semester. Should the student not complete the assignment, the student will be dismissed from the graduate program.
General Requirements: Development of a portfolio provides each candidate opportunities for reflection and self-evaluation, which documents their mastery of school librarian standards and highlights their professional growth.
Administrative procedures for culmination of the process:
- student registers for SLIB 693 - Culminating Experience in School Libraries;
- as part of the course requirements, the professional portfolio will be created then reviewed and evaluated by program faculty members;
- student will present a synopsis of the Professional Portfolio to the faculty committee and his/her program peers on a date selected within the semester enrolled in SLIB 693; and
- instructor will record the collaborated grade for the course.
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