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How To Become A Library Media Specialist |
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We get questions from people who want to become Library Media Specialists
but don't know where to begin.
The contents of this page are not intended to be legal advice. Rather the information should be used as
a guide only. Every effort is made to keep this page current. If you have information that can update the data here, e-mail
the
web master. Each state and school district has unique requirements,
and the information contained on this page is specific to the Clark County School District, Nevada.
2. a valid elementary, secondary or special teaching license from the Nevada Department of Education. Applicants need to submit a host of items with the application such as Praxis test scores, Academic Transcripts, etc. To receive an application or get more information on basic teacher certification, contact the Las Vegas branch of the Nevada Department of Education.
3. an endorsement from the Nevada Department of Education as a School Library Media Specialist.
An endorsement is a level of certification that is in addition to the basic teacher's license. To get such an endorsement, applicants need to:
A. have completed a program for school library media specialists which has been approved by the board or a regional accrediting association.
B. hold a master's degree in library science, with specialization in school librarianship, from a school accredited by the American Library Association
or
have completed 21 semester hours of course work in the following subjects:
a. Organization and administration of a school library.
b. The cataloging and classification of materials for a library.
c. Reference, bibliography and information skills.
d. The use and selection of educational media for a library.
e. Children's and young adults' literature.
f.
Computers in the library.
g. A supervised practicum in an elementary or secondary school library
To apply for a library media specialist position with the Clark County School District, you can apply online at http://ccsd.net/jobs/LLPapprocess.htm. Along with your application, there are other requirements like an interview, references, original academic transcripts, etc. If a candidate is considered qualified, the application will go into a general pool with the applications of other qualified candidates. There, any principal in the Clark County School District who needs a school librarian can review all of the candidates' applications. Unlike in other parts of the country, applicants do not apply to specific schools or openings. Instead, one application is filed for all openings of the candidate's choice (elementary, middle or high school, urban, rural, etc.). Interested principals select candidates having the credentials and qualities they are looking for in a school librarian for interviews. From there, the principal may offer employment to the most qualified candidate, and the Human Resources Division approves or denies the hiring. For more information, contact:
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The above process is primarily for those who are currently living out of the state of Nevada or are not currently teaching in the Clark County School District. If you are already teaching for the District, the only items above for you to focus on is #3 (library endorsement) and #4 (apply for a library media specialist position). Once current teachers obtain the library endorsement, check through Interact for openings. Once in the Interact system, the path is: Desktop > Professional Link > Positions & Announcements. Unlike with new teachers, you can apply for specific openings. Southern Nevada teachers who want to complete the course work to earn their library endorsement can do so at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Notice: The local certification program through Nova Southeastern University has been discontinued. Below, contact information for the UNLV program can be found.
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