Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What type of certification do Library Information Specialists need to work as librarians in Illinois public schools?

A. There are two levels of licensing available from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) supported by GSLIS:

1. Library Information Specialist Endorsement: certifies the holder of a current Illinois classroom teaching certificate to work at either the elementary or secondary level, depending on the level of their classroom teaching certification. GSLIS offers all of the courses needed for the 24-credit hour LIS Endorsement.
2. Library Information Specialist Certification: certifies holder to work in the library with all grades from Preschool through Grade 12. GSLIS offers a combined MS in LIS/K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification program. This dual program enables students to obtain a MS in LIS 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. and would like to become a K–12 Library Information Specialist. Can I do this at GSLIS? If so, what courses do I need to take?

A. Yes, you can. GSLIS offers a combined MS in LIS/K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification program. This dual program enables students to obtain a MS in LIS and complete the necessary requirements to obtain a K–12 Library Information Specialist certification in the State of Illinois. See course requirements for Library Information Specialist Certification.

Q. I have an advanced degree in a non-LIS discipline and would like to become a Library Information Specialist. Can I do this at GSLIS? If so, what courses do I need to take?

A. Yes, you can. GSLIS offers a combined MS in LIS/K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification program. This dual program enables students to obtain the MS in LIS and complete the necessary requirements to obtain a K–12 Library Information Specialist certification 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 at GSLIS? If so, what courses do I need to take?

A. Yes, you can. Many of your LIS courses will meet the requirements for Illinois Library Information Specialist Certification. Upon admission to the GSLIS K–12 program, your college/university transcripts will be evaluated by the UIUC Council on Teacher Education. Your coursework and fieldwork requirements at GSLIS toward your Library Information Specialist Certification will be based on that evaluation. While you are fulfilling these requirements, you will be enrolled as a GSLIS Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) student.

Q. I have a current Illinois elementary or secondary classroom teaching certificate and would like to take the courses required for the Library Information Specialist Endorsement as part of an MS in LIS. Can I do this at GSLIS as an MS student? If so, what courses do I need to take?

A. Yes, you can. The LIS Endorsement requires 24 credit hours in LIS and you can easily take them as part of the 40 credit hours required for the MS in LIS. 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 Library Information Specialist Endorsement. Can I do this at GSLIS without enrolling as an MS student? If so, what courses do I need to take?

A. Yes, you can. See course requirements for Library Information Specialist Endorsement. However, students seeking only the Library Information Specialist Endorsement are classified as non-degree students. Because GSLIS enrollment is limited, and degree-seeking students are given priority in course registration, non-degree students may not be able to register for the specific courses they need for the Library Information Specialist Endorsement. We encourage students to apply to the MS in LIS program to obtain a comprehensive (MS = 40 credit hours) LIS education, part of which could include the 24 hours of coursework needed for the 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 at GSLIS? If so, what courses do I need to take?

A. Yes, you can. Some of your education courses may meet the requirements for Illinois Library Information Specialist Certification. Upon admission to the GSLIS K–12 program, your college/university transcripts will be evaluated by the UIUC Council on Teacher Education. Your coursework and fieldwork requirements toward your Library Information Specialist Certification will be based on that evaluation. While you are fulfilling these requirements, you will be enrolled in the Combined MS in LIS/K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification program at GSLIS.

Q. I have a current classroom teaching certificate but it is not from Illinois. How can I get an Illinois classroom teaching certificate?

A. In order to find out what you need to obtain an Illinois certificate, contact an Illinois Regional Office of Education (ROE). To locate your regional office see the Directory of Regional Offices. http://www.isbe.net/regionaloffices/pdf/roedirectory.pdf

Champaign County is part of ROE #9:
Regional Superintendent Judith Pacey (jpacey@roe9.k12.il.us)
ROE #9: Champaign/Ford Counties
200 S. Fredrick St.
Rantoul, IL 61866
Tel: (217) 893-3219
Fax: (217) 893-0024
http://www.roe9.k12.il.us/

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 5, 6, 7, and/or 8th graders. What else do I need?

A. You will also need a Middle Grades Endorsement.

Q. I do not have a classroom teaching certificate and I would like to become a Library Information Specialist. Can I do this at GSLIS?

A. Yes, you can. The Combined MS in LIS/K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification program at GSLIS provides all the course requirements for Illinois certification as a Library Information Specialist.

Q. I think I am interested in applying to the GSLIS K–12 program, 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 (ISBE). In order to be admitted to the K–12 LIS Certification program, you must first take and pass the Illinois Basic Skills test. Before you do your student teaching, you must pass the Illinois Library Information Specialist Content-Area test, and before you receive your Illinois LIS certification, you must pass the Illinois APT (Assessment of Professional Teaching) test. Full information on when and where the tests are given and how much they cost is available at

http://www.icts.nesinc.com/

Q. I am a GSLIS MS student, and I do not have an Illinois classroom teaching certificate. When I entered the GSLIS MS program, I did not plan to become a school librarian, but now I'm thinking I might like to be a school librarian after all. Can I now apply to the K–12 program? What are the application requirements?

A. Yes, you can. You can apply to the K–12 program at any point during your MS program—the admission process is an ongoing one. The application to the K–12 program requires that you fill out a Supplemental K–12 Application form and write one or two additional essays, depending on whether or not you interviewed a school librarian for Essay #1 of your original application to the MS program. If you did, you can use that essay for your K–12 application. If you did not, you will have to submit an additional Essay #1 interview with a school librarian.

Q. In addition to coursework, what do I have to do to complete the K–12 Library Information Specialist Certification Program at GSLIS?

A. In addition to the program coursework which includes a 100-hour practicum, candidates must successfully complete: a CTE Common Assessment Portfolio, 12 semester hours of student teaching (during either Fall or Spring Semester), and three standardized Illinois certification tests.

Throughout your program, you will create and develop an electronic CTE Common Assessment Portfolio containing evidence of your professional growth through class projects and other relevant course work, and practicum and student teaching. Your portfolio will demonstrate your progress toward meeting the certification program requirements and professional standards for Library Information Specialists, as well as provide useful information to prospective employers regarding your professional skills and competencies. You will also complete two separate student teaching placements—one in an elementary and one in a secondary (middle or high school) library information center. (Before you are allowed to work in a school setting, the Council on Teacher Education requires that a criminal background check be conducted and that you complete Blood Borne Pathogen Training.) Before admission to the program, Library Information Specialist candidates must pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test. Before being admitted to student teaching, candidates must pass the Illinois Content Area Test in "Library Information Specialist" and the APT (Assessment of Professional Teaching).

Q. I have questions regarding preparation for school librarianship that are not answered here. Where can I go for further information?

A. Email -lis-k12, at uiuc.edu-

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