Michigan School Librarian Certification Guide - 2024
AKA: Library Media Specialist Endorsement
- Guide Introduction
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Library Staff Licensing Pathways
Licensor: MI Dept. of Education
What's Here? - Table of Contents
As fountains of knowledge and information, school libraries play an influential role in the learning process. But schools won’t utilize these assets efficiently without skilled librarians. According to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), certified library media specialists serve a critical role in students’ academic and professional growth. Michigan school librarians are responsible for organizing and dispensing the wealth of knowledge accumulated in libraries for generations. To help schools leverage these educational assets, MDE offers a school librarian certification program.
What is School Librarian Certification?
A school librarian certification employs different assessments and tests to select the most qualified professionals to manage school libraries. The recognition awarded to school librarians varies from one state to another. In Michigan, the MDE awards Library Media (ND) endorsements to certified teachers who can support students’ learning and development.
Why does Michigan require School Librarian Certification?
In today’s digital age, students have complex and evolving educational needs. To meet these needs, school libraries must evolve from dusty storage spaces to technological education hubs. Assigning qualified professionals to oversee school libraries is the first step to achieve this goal. The ideal candidate for this job should help nurture students’ critical thinking and thirst for knowledge.
School library media specialists teach students how to navigate, gather, analyze, and ingest information. This role also requires theoretical and practical skills, including advocacy, leadership, information delivery, and program administration. School librarian licensure proves that the certificate holder has the skills to do the job. According to research, libraries managed by certified school librarians have higher student access and achievement than poorly staffed libraries. To attain this positive outcome, the MDE introduced code “000ND” for certified school librarians. The MDE recommends Michigan schools assign ND-endorsed teachers to manage their libraries.
Initial Librarian Certification Process
The duties of school librarians go beyond library management and administration. Library media specialists also collaborate with teachers to cultivate information literacy and technology in the learning process. They help teachers and students select relevant resources and digital tools for learning. Michigan librarian certification considers all these factors to help schools assign qualified teachers.
To become a Michigan school librarian, you need Library Media (ND) endorsement on top of a teaching license. This endorsement elevates the status of certified teachers to Library Media Specialists. In 2011, Michigan revised its Library Media (ND) endorsement standards to align with the 2010 ALA Standards for the Initial Preparation of School Librarians. The state now offers the ND as an additional K-12 endorsement. Applicants have to complete school library media preparation with a minimum of 36 semester hours to meet the revised endorsement standards. Like the Standard Teaching Certificate, Library Media (ND) endorsement is valid for five years with unlimited renewals.
Education Requirements
Library Media endorsement candidates will not need additional education beyond that which is required to earn their teaching license. However, those with a Master’s degree in library and information science will likely have a leg up when seeking positions. Additionally, most states require an MLIS degree for certification, so if you plan on having the option of working as a school librarian in another state, an advanced degree would be beneficial.
The MDE and Library of Michigan won’t consider your application without a valid teaching license. All school librarians must complete First Aid and CPR training to work in Michigan.
Experience Requirements
Michigan school librarians work beyond the library walls. They advocate for dynamic school library programs, cultivate positive learning environments, and create strategies to reinforce classroom reading. As a Michigan Library Media Specialist, you’ll also help classroom teachers address learners’ diverse needs and interests. School librarians should have both theoretical and practical skills to fulfill all these responsibilities. So, experience is essential for educators seeking this position.
Prospective librarians with three years of teaching experience don’t have to take the MTTC test for Library Media certification.
Testing Requirements
Candidates who wish to work as school librarians in Michigan must pass Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for Library Media to qualify for an ND endorsement. This test ensures all Library Media Specialists have the skills and content knowledge to serve Michigan school libraries. The MTTC for Library Media is offered by Pearson Education Inc. Go to the MTTC website and register, pick test dates, and select testing sites. Prospective librarians must get a minimum passing score of 48 to earn a Michigan Library Media (ND) certificate. You can take a computer-based MTTC test for $129 or a paper-based MTTC test for $99. There are tons of MTTC revision material online to help you prepare and pass this test.
However, as mentioned above, prospective librarians with three years of teaching experience don’t have to take the MTTC test for Library Media certification.
Background Checks
Michigan Compiled Law (380.1230 to 380.1230g) requires background checks on all professionals in the education sector, including school librarians. Background checks are essential to ensure the safety of children. In Michigan, the employer bears the responsibility of conducting background checks. Michigan schools run ICHAT searches and request criminal history record information (CHRI) from Michigan State Police and the FBI as required under MCL 380.1230a. Schools can also send teachers’ fingerprints to the FBI for background checks before they get hired. So, most applicants for Michigan school librarian positions don’t need to do background checks. In some cases, state agencies like the MDE and the Library of Michigan will request CHRI from Michigan police and run FBI fingerprinting before awarding certificates.
Application Process
Library Media endorsement candidates will need to apply for the endorsement through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System.
Certification Renewal Procedure
A Michigan school library certificate is an endorsement attached to your teaching certificate. You cannot renew library media certification on its own. The Michigan Department of Education requires teacher librarians to renew their Professional Teaching Certificates, valid for five years. Renewing your teaching certificate will automatically renew your Library Media endorsement. To renew this certificate, you must complete six semester hours at an approved Michigan institution. Check approved universities in the Directory of Michigan Institutions of Higher Education. The MDE will also allow you to renew the certificate if you have completed 18 State Board Continuing Education Credits.
Michigan teaching certifications and renewals are free and completed online via the MOECS website. You can also apply for reinstatement if your teaching certificate expired, but you have to meet the MDE’s renewal qualifications. To be on the safe side, renew it before it expires. Michigan teaching certificates have unlimited renewal and maintain the existing Library Media (ND) endorsements after each renewal. The nullification process is the only way to remove endorsement from a Michigan teaching certificate.
Certification Reciprocity Process
Michigan is one of many states with a shortage of certified school librarians. In 2018, the MDE added Library Media to the Critical Shortage Disciplines to allow schools to rehire retirees in this role. Teachers with the K-5 All Subjects endorsements can work as school librarians. However, schools can leverage their libraries more efficiently by assigning teachers with the Library Media (ND) endorsement. Michigan has signed an Interstate Compact Agreement (ICA) with several states for reciprocal teacher certification. This agreement can reduce shortages by allowing school districts to advertise library job openings outside of the state. Michigan schools can also hire out-of-state certified librarians.
Michigan’s certification reciprocity process covers out-of-state teacher preparation programs and teaching certificates for initial certification. However, some out-of-state certifications, licensure, and endorsements may differ from Michigan programs. Here are the basic steps of the certification reciprocity procedure under the ICA:
Step 1: Apply via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) to determine the certificate type.
Step 2: The Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) evaluates teachers who have completed out-of-state endorsement programs. The OEE evaluation costs $50.
Step 3: The MDE evaluates whether applicants have completed First Aid and CPR training.
Step 4: Applicants must take and pass the MTTC endorsement test. The OEE evaluation will determine the appropriate subject test area for out-of-state certificate holders. TIP – Don’t take the MTTC until you receive your OEE evaluation report.
Approved out-of-state applicants with a minimum passing score of 48 will receive a nonrenewable Standard Temporary Teacher Employment Authorization (T2EA). T2EA allows you to work as a teacher in a Michigan school for one year. During this period, you can fulfill the requirements to get a Professional Teaching Certificate and restore or earn a Michigan library media endorsement. You can receive a Professional Teaching Certificate without taking MTTC tests if you meet these four requirements:
- Meet planned program or degree requirement.
- Teaching experience requirement.
- Valid certificate requirement.
- Fulfill reading methods requirement.
Applicants who fulfill these requirements will be issued a professional teaching certificate or CTE Certificate. With a Michigan teaching certificate, you can request a school librarian endorsement.
Working as a Michigan school librarian allows you to improve the lives of children. Nothing offers more job satisfaction than nurturing and transforming students into responsible adults. To work as a school librarian in Michigan, you’ll need an endorsement. Follow this guide to earn a Michigan Library Media (ND) endorsement.